Must Have Upgrade for RV Boondocking | RV Power Inverter

Our solar series continues as we dive into RV inverters. We explain what an RV power inverter is, why you would want one for your RV or fifth wheel, and how to choose the right inverter for your energy needs. If you enjoy boondocking, dry camping, or simply want to have more freedom as you RV full time or part time -- an RV inverter is a must!
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Aims 2000 Watt Pure sine inverter: amzn.to/2DP8sMP
Other inverter options:
Small portable pure sine inverter (good for charging phones or computers): amzn.to/35X5Nxi
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3,000 watt pure sine inverter: amzn.to/374qc3k
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*This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV or travel experts. We share our opinions and what works for us, but you should do your own research.

[@stanleybest8833]

You are dead right about quality features and extra capacity. A few more tricks: Also keep a small camping pure sine wave inverter. Many AC devices are very small. If using lead acid, never hardwire them in parallel. They fight. Stationary cabins can use flooded golf cart batteries in series and you can choose to dilute the acid for reduced capacity, but very long lifespans. Even a car starting battery can be diluted into a deep cycle battery. Always tote some solar panels. You want Mother Nature to smile on you.

[@campingforayearrenoheart5908]

I got a 3,000 watt aims ! Love it ! Runs 1 ac ! Microwave and a few other appliances! Added 1400 watts of solar and 10 lithium batteries I can now boondock

[@davidoverholt251]

I watch several RV types, but I do love watching you two! Thanks for sharing your real life experiences!

[@EatSeeRV]

Haha thank you! Appreciated. We watch lots of others too 😁

[@TheLightPainter52]

Nicely done! Clearly explained and good illustrations. One piece of information was incorrect though. Modified sine wave inverters do not in any way harm electronics or computers. I have been using inverters in RVs for 15 years and can assure you that information has been used for marketing purposes for 10 plus years now. Google it to verify this. Modified sine wave inverters will, not may, damage anything with a motor and microwaves. So you only need a pure sine wave for induction loads such as motors, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. Resistance loads such as electronics, TVs, computers, coffee pot, cooking appliances, etc will not be harmed by a modified sine wave inverter. This information has been thoroughly documented over the last 10 years. The last inverter I installed was a 3000 watt pure sine wave so I would not burn up my microwave, which I use a lot, and a couple of 120v fans I have mounted in the rig. Also, most inverters are rated for input power, not output power, and since you will lose 11 to 15% of the power going through the inverter, it is a good rule of thumb to size your inverter a minimum of 20% more than whatever your maximum load would be. Dan

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for clarifying!

[@champagnewalkersequinemass3568]

Also, you’d is way more understandable than the other 5 I tried. I am not a tecchi

[@stevethune6780]

Dammit! You did it again! LOL. Seriously though, well done. I hope Santa was good to you this year.

[@EatSeeRV]

Haha he was thank you so much! Hope you had a great Christmas too - Liz

[@OurNationalAdventure]

Fantastic share. We want to go solar, so thank you for explaining the inverter. You both explained this very clear.

[@EatSeeRV]

So glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching! - Dennis ✌️

[@DJTPA007]

Thank you both for the great information. I'm gathering a lot of information before I can install my own solar panel's , controllers, battery banks, inverter and generator on my RV

[@michellestratford9753]

Thank you so much for talking about a hair dryer! I've spent hours trying to get an answer specifically about that. Much appreciated!

[@EatSeeRV]

Glad it was helpful Michelle! - Dennis ✌️

[@scottjames3609]

Great information. Have a safe and merry Christmas

[@EatSeeRV]

You too! - Liz

[@VegasJPH]

Good video in detail explaining the inverter & power! Dennis seems like a cool cat 👍 , with a cutie wife too 😍

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks 😊

[@LivingTheGoodLifeRving]

Definitely going to have to look into getting a good inverter thank you for sharing

[@EatSeeRV]

They really are awesome! - Liz

[@lorikochan1056]

Merry Christmas!!

[@EatSeeRV]

Merry Christmas to you too! - Liz

[@jerrydaminato743]

Very informative. Thanks! Aims sounds like a good quality product.

[@EatSeeRV]

Oh yeah! We've only been using our AIMS 2000 watt inverter/charger for a short time and I'm very impressed by the features they've packed into it! Check out our inverter video that's part of our off grid series to get an up close look at what it. Thanks for watching Jerry! Let us know what you end up installing for your off grid setup. - Dennis

[@RealmVector]

Thanks for this, but I notice that a lot of inverters do not talk about microwave ovens, or only mention 700 watt units as being usable. I have yet to find a 4000 watt unit that mentions the 1100 watt drain of a larger microwave. Your unit does not, if I recall. I have 300A/H worth of Lithiums, and a Harbor Freight 3000 watt inverter that drops out when the microwave starts heating something. The quiescent power on an inverter is also important--how much current is it drawing when it isn't doing anything. That's important if you have solar, and the inverter takes half of the real-time generated current just to keep it afloat. Your unit is good that way.

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes ours can handle large pulls over 8,000 for about 20 seconds I belive. We can freely use our microwave on our inverter both in convection and normal we just of course try not to use it for long periods of time to drain the batteries.

[@raystanton238]

Your microwave won't run probably because your inverter is the modified sine wave type which is what Harbor Freight mostly sells. A 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter will out perform a 3000 watt modified sine wave inverter!

[@NomadicInNature]

Great info and thanks for sharing!

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for watching - Liz

[@trdh5465]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@EatSeeRV]

So glad you found it helpful - Liz

[@Sbrnfoster]

This was incredibly helpful and the way you guys explained it made so much sense. I can't find if you have a video on how to install one of these. Do you have one??

[@EatSeeRV]

That is not our fourtay haha! We enlisted help from our brother in law who is great at electrical! Check out @imnotlostimrving though they have a great solar series and walkthrough with the same inverter

[@Appalachianventure]

Best explanation out there!

[@EatSeeRV]

Glad you found it helpful! - Liz

[@robertjohnson8942]

Marry Christmas to you and your family !

[@EatSeeRV]

Merry Christmas to you too! - Liz

[@richardkoch8752]

Is it possible to use the "auto gen" feature with Lithiums without taking them all the way down to 0% charge? Love your vids, love you guys! Merry Christmas and safe travels :)

[@EatSeeRV]

The voltage meter won't read that the batteries are low. So the auto gen isn't a feature you can use with lithium. But is nice if you have AGM or lead acid. - Liz

[@richardkoch8752]

@@EatSeeRV Thanks Liz! :)

[@cathygrover8106]

Appreciate the explanation.

[@stevenmc764]

Almost every long haul truck on the highway has inverters in them. They are the number one cause of truck fires and are very common. I’d rather use the generator. If it’s loud, insulate it better. Mine is not load at all and I find Onan is the quietest I’ve seen.

[@EatSeeRV]

That's interesting. Because many many RVs also have them and they aren't the primary cause for fires for RVs. I wonder if it's the type of inverter, installation (they need to be properly ventilated or it can cause a fire), or something else? We have a generator too but love not having to turn it on everytime we want power. - Liz

[@AdventureEndeavor]

Great video thanks for sharing!

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for watching - Liz

[@michaelwas8549]

buying a small airstream interstate 2004 van. thinking about doing exactly this to run AC during the night without that noisy gen.

[@birybenjamin3522]

Fantastico

[@edrumsas5420]

Great information

[@gebhardt2]

A laptop only uses an AC to DC converter in which case a Modified Sine Wave Inverter is fine. Pure Sine Wave Inverters are important for things that have motors.

[@EatSeeRV]

Cool thanks for sharing

[@ricksean6038]

How about showing how you installed it in your camper. Is this suppose to replace your existing onboard converter?

[@AdventureEndeavor]

That's a good idea!

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes we no longer will need our converter because its an inverter charger so it keeps our batteries charged even when we are plugged in to shore power or an electrical source. We will definitely show it installed in future videos - Liz

[@champagnewalkersequinemass3568]

The inverter link is for 24 volt not 12 volt. Does that matter? Also, who would I get to reliably install it? Way beyond my skill set

[@ChristopherOBrien000]

Nice job, thank you.

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickpatton3231]

Did you also get the LCD monitoring screen?

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes we did! The LCD monitor screen is a nice way to control the functions of your AIMS inverter charger if you're mounting it an inconvenient place, like a basement bay. Good call! - Dennis ✌️

[@JB-mo8rs]

Where does this get installed on a travel trailer? I suppose there’s a main line of some sort that makes all AC plugs ready to go?

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes it gets hooked up to the batteries and solar charge controller if you choose to install solar panels as well. - Liz

[@jimmythegeekstickeyrice6062]

I’m 72 have a 91 Land Cruise that want to fit out for boondocking in Nevada lots of Sun ☀️ what do u recommend I know nothing it’s just my 13 yr old Daughter and I so I’m looking for solar and inverter. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@gebhardt2]

Modified Sine Wave Inverters only cause problems with Microwaves and things with motors. Simple AC-DC converting devices work just fine with Modified Sine Wave Inverters.

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for sharing

[@jamesbondaygee]

So, I am total newbie here. So what is your solution here? Get a bunch of batteries and use an inverter? How long will the batteries last typically before you got to charge them again? Are you using solar too?

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes, we have more videos on our channel page in our off grid series. We have 330 watts of solar, 200 amp hrs of batteries, the Aims 2000 watt inverter charger, plus we supplement with our on board generator to charge the batteries if needed and run larger appliances like the AC or convection oven. Hope this helps. - Dennis ✌️

[@aterseraph]

Another great solar rv video; thank you. I can't afford lithium batteries yet, but I can afford 4 6v batteries for my bank. What would you recommend for 6v golf cart style batteries?

[@EatSeeRV]

I wouldn't recommend golf cart batteries if you don't have to. I would at least upgrade to AGM if your budget allows. You'll get more battery power with less ongoing maintenance. - Liz

[@JeffErdmann]

Another option that is more efficient and less expensive is to get 12v laptop chargers and install USB charging ports to charge directly from your battery without the 10% loss of efficiency of an inverter.

[@EatSeeRV]

We also like powering our microwave, blow dryer, straightener, make lattes, watch TV so an inverter was best for us. You could get a small portable one if it better suits your needs. - Liz

[@carjack69]

A newbie question..my RV have inverter from factory,my fridge is domestic...as soon change the inverter can I to start boondocking and have the 110 power for my regular appliance?

[@EatSeeRV]

If you want your fridge can be powered by your inverter but it would be a big energy draw. So if you don't have a large battery bank or solar to put new energy into the batteries it's suggested you continue to run it on the propane setting when your dry camping. Hope that helps! - Liz

[@janiobermudez7739]

Thank you for help me,well my fridge is domestic Whirlpool no gas only electric...but another question if I turn of the fridge there still inside running?would be the best way cut the power of the fridge and that way safe the power and the fridge do not draw electricity when we are in boondocking days?

[@randyrainwater983]

👍👍

[@EatSeeRV]

👍

[@rickfetz469]

How do ground the inverter?

[@EatSeeRV]

We will have an in depth solar system video showing how it all works soon!

[@Taste.ofvegan]

Did you need a battery in addition to the inverter? If so which do you use

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes, you'll need batteries to run the inverter. That is what the inverter uses to power the coach. Here's the video on that kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TdqqGleb6Li9U

[@DianneRawGirl]

Newer here watching you folks but why is your paint on your rig missing in spots like its smeared??

[@Austinole11]

Dianne_M_ Kartes they’re reflections

[@EatSeeRV]

No smeared paint. I think Austinole is right about the reflections - Liz

[@qa7177]

Can you share your battery system,

[@EatSeeRV]

Going with a 200 amp hour lithium setup this time around. Here's a link to our lithium vs agm video we released last week. - Dennis ✌️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TdqqGleb6Li9U

[@sandras1524]

Trying not to sound too stupid here. If I wanted to do this in baby steps, sounds like I could do a charge controller, maybe just 1 lithium battery, and an inverter first. Then later add the solar panels and another battery. Is that right? We have the same RV as you guys.

[@EatSeeRV]

You could easily upgrade your batteries, then get an inverter. Charge controller only comes into play when you get your solar panels. We did our batteries and inverter about 6 months before we installed our solar panels. - Liz

[@mikethomas4523]

What keeps the batteries charged?

[@EatSeeRV]

Plugging into electricity. Driving our RV (we have a chassis charger) or our solar panels.

[@mikethomas4523]

@@EatSeeRV So don't dry camp if you have neither. Obviously, ya can't plug into power. thanks

[@EatSeeRV]

You can use a generator. But we try to avoid using that if at all possible. Solar keeps then we'll charged when boondocking.

[@Klausjp.ontheroadagain]

how long the generator has to run everyday to recharge your batteries

[@EatSeeRV]

Depends on how low they are to begin with. We suggest getting a battery monitor kit to know. Our inverter tells us when it's full and it's adjustable charging states allow us to charge it quickly with our generator. I'd say an hour if they are really low. Maybe more if you're simultaneously using appliances as it charges. - Liz

[@Klausjp.ontheroadagain]

@@EatSeeRV thanks will get solar and like to start with two lith.. batteries plus inverter/charger. before I get solar panels