How our RV Motorhome runs on a 240v inverter

[@spansinspain]

When you outline the compromises with using an inverter, I sway more towards an independent 2.5kw power station under the table to power my kettle, toaster, missus hairdryer etc, plus it acts as a great back up should things go tits up. Thanks for the video Barry👍🏼

[@antontsau]

Its Chinese watts. To power 10A equipment like kettle you need at least 4kva invertor with 400ah batteries min, as its 200A 12v - small battery will boil and decay faster than discharge. Best way is 3 or 4 agm deep cycle batteries, $300 each. Not lithium, too risky without complex integrated bms.

[@sienygavin8436]

Thanks Barry. I plug my inverter directly into the shore power socket with a short lead. I switch off the battery 240volt charger with a Bluetooth switch on its gpo..

[@barryBJM]

Yes that of course is the simplest way. It's a messing about way, compared to a wired flip up or flip down switch. Done in 1.2 seconds or less. We don't have an AES ( auto selection ) fridge but those that do will need to always manually switch off the fridges mains power ( be it 110 v or 240v etc in whatever country) and likewise switch off any mains power to a hot water system. Your blue tooth setup sound good but probably beyond the average RVer. And requiring constant access with ones smart phone.

[@antontsau]

Usual solution for fridge, ac, kettle, compressor and other special loads is separate transfer switch(es). At least one, with clear label "do you know what are you doing?" and annoying indication outside of cupboard. So general network reconnects usual way, fridge (small but permanent load), ac (significant power long term) and kettle (very big power but short term) go to this 2nd switch, with light flashing to remember about inverter. And, of course, the best solution is some smart automation with programmable relay controller, discharge sensors, built in timers and so on, but it will be black voodoo for you.

[@barryBJM]

all good points. However there's nothing that pricks one's memory as efficient as that first time one forgets, to then face totally flat batteries. From then on one is acutely aware of the need to eliminate accidental drain on the inverter. As you say there are a number of ways and warning devices perhaps, available to warn someone to switch off Fridge and HWS. I haven't bothered. And it all works fine and has done so for many years now. You mentioned the battery charger. The original modification by the licensed electrician somehow bypassed the battery charger which will only be powered up by a proper mains input, fortunately.

[@antontsau]

@@barryBJM charger meant not main battery charger (its of course connected to mains/generator input directly, never to inverter) but auxilliary, for boat, bike, mobile power station or so battery.

[@lynnegordon5286]

Good info for newbies....many thanks, learned a lot.

[@barryBJM]

You are welcome!