Inverter Wiring
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10-21-2008, 02:52
Post: #5
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Inverter Wiring
The inverters in a BB are set up with their own distribution wiring
(separate from the main 120 vac panel). So, follow the output wires from the inverter and you should find a distribution system (possibly with circuit breakers) somewhere nearby. You can 'join' a new wire there (or set up an additional circuit breaker) to run to the location of the freezer. Load: you first need to determine what the general load on the inverter is at present. What devices are attached and how many are used at the same time? It may be that all the available load is (potentially) used up by the existing appliances. Appliances almost always have watt or amp ratings on them (usually on a tag by the manufacturer's name on the back). To ease calculations, convert all ratings to either watts or amps. (Amps x volts (120) = watts or Watts divided by volts (120) = amps) So, a 1500 watt inverter can handle about 12.5 amps in total. You should leave a couple hundred watts (2 amps or so) "free" to allow for calculation errors and electrical efficiency. Motors (which don't "like" certain types of inverters) prefer "true sine wave" power -- something an older inverter may not provide. Motors (the freezer compressor) also draw as much at 50 more power at start up than their rating, so allowance must be made for that, as well. In all probability, the inverter on your coach is already wired up to use most of its maximum rated power for the appliances already attached. I expect, depending on the size of the freezer, that you will find that it draws anywhere from 6 to 8 amps up to around 10 amps. (Remember to add for the brief overload for motor start up.) So, the solution(s) are (1) upgrade the existing inverter from a 1500 watt unit to a 2500 watt, true sine wave unit or (2) add a second inverter of about 1000-1500 watts (depending on the size of your freezer) to handle only the freezer circuit. Keep in mind that the additional 'juice' required for the inverter will come at the expense of the batteries. If you only use the freezer/inverter while on the road, the engine alternator should be replenishing the house batteries to offset the load, but while parked, the house batteries will need to provide the inverter power, and I know from personal experience (I have a home-style 22 cu ft side-by-side refrigerator-freezer) that refrigeration can draw down batteries rather quickly. You may need to consider adding additional house batteries (or otherwise increasing the available amp-hours) to compensate for the additional demand. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 aeonix1@... On the road at Edinburg, VA On Oct 20, 2008, at 8:42 PM, Don Spithaler wrote: > Guys---I want to set a small freezer in one my outside bays. There is > a plug there but how do I wire it to run off the inverter while going > down the road? How would I know if it will run off a 1500 W inverter? > Thanks > Don Spithaler > 89 SP 36' > Butler, PA > |
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Messages In This Thread |
Inverter Wiring - Don Spithaler - 10-20-2008, 12:42
Inverter Wiring - Gregory OConnor - 10-20-2008, 13:05
Inverter Wiring - Donald Spithaler - 10-20-2008, 13:45
Inverter Wiring - Joyce and Richard Hayden - 10-20-2008, 14:18
Inverter Wiring - Pete Masterson - 10-21-2008 02:52
Inverter Wiring - Gregory OConnor - 10-21-2008, 04:53
Inverter Wiring - erniecarpet@... - 10-21-2008, 07:10
Inverter Wiring - erniecarpet@... - 10-21-2008, 07:42
Inverter Wiring - Donald Spithaler - 10-21-2008, 11:02
Inverter Wiring - Donald Spithaler - 10-21-2008, 11:30
Inverter Wiring - Pete Masterson - 10-22-2008, 01:57
Inverter Wiring - joepat50 - 10-22-2008, 02:22
Inverter Wiring - Pete Masterson - 10-22-2008, 02:24
Inverter Wiring - Gregory OConnor - 10-22-2008, 03:45
Inverter Wiring - Pete Masterson - 10-22-2008, 06:25
Inverter Wiring - Gregory OConnor - 10-22-2008, 07:01
Inverter Wiring - Donald Spithaler - 10-22-2008, 12:23
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