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Old 09-05-2019, 05:10 PM   #1
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Default Inverter use

We are newbies and have no idea when to turn on the inverter... during shore power, when boondocking, while driving...??? please let me know... thanks
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Old 09-05-2019, 08:17 PM   #2
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Hi: Inverter usually converts lower voltage(12 volts) to 110(regular household voltage). So unless you are running something which specifically requires household voltage, inverter usually stays off. What is the wattage of your inverter. Larger inverters are designed to create more power to run things like microwave, airconditioners, hair dryers, etc.
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Old 09-06-2019, 03:06 AM   #3
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We are newbies and have no idea when to turn on the inverter... during shore power, when boondocking, while driving...??? please let me know... thanks

do you have just an inverter OR an inverter/charger. 2 totally different things and answers by us.
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Old 09-06-2019, 02:47 PM   #4
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We are newbies and have no idea when to turn on the inverter... during shore power, when boondocking, while driving...??? please let me know... thanks
Your 2008 Roadtrek on the Sprinter chassis should have a combined inverter/charger. It's most likely a Tripp Lite unit that combines a chassis battery charger and 120v inverter power (from battery) in one box. The charger side works automatically as needed so not much you need to do there. But you only want your inverter on when you need it. Not all the time as it will add a slight and unnecessary drain on your batteries even with nothing plugged in.

When plugged in to 30 amp power or running your generator, the inverter provides no benefit. So you only need it in true boondocking situations where you can just turn it on whenever you need 120v power to run small devices such as a CPAP machine, TV, or DVR.

Unless big bucks have been spent by the previous owner to upgrade batteries and replace the original inverter, it will not run a hair dryer, microwave, toaster, or even a large coffee pot. Count on using appliances only when plugged in or using your generator.

PS. - We have travelled 17,000 miles so far and never used our inverter. This is because we use a 12v (not 120v) TV/DVR, sound machine, fans, and USB chargers. When plugged into to 30amp campsite service, we can run anything we want, just not maybe all at the same time.
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Old 09-07-2019, 01:53 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Rlum View Post
Hi: Inverter usually converts lower voltage(12 volts) to 110(regular household voltage). So unless you are running something which specifically requires household voltage, inverter usually stays off. What is the wattage of your inverter. Larger inverters are designed to create more power to run things like microwave, airconditioners, hair dryers, etc.
Rlum... thanks for the explanation of what an inverter does...
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Old 09-07-2019, 02:01 PM   #6
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do you have just an inverter OR an inverter/charger. 2 totally different things and answers by us.
Gerry...looks like we have a combo inverter/charger...
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Old 09-07-2019, 02:09 PM   #7
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Gerry...looks like we have a combo inverter/charger...
i should have asked this before. you have an inverter/charger-however instructions now depend on if it's the base tripplite 750 roadtek used or a larger model
sorry i did not ask that before
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Old 09-07-2019, 02:13 PM   #8
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Your 2008 Roadtrek on the Sprinter chassis should have a combined inverter/charger. It's most likely a Tripp Lite unit that combines a chassis battery charger and 120v inverter power (from battery) in one box. The charger side works automatically as needed so not much you need to do there. But you only want your inverter on when you need it. Not all the time as it will add a slight and unnecessary drain on your batteries even with nothing plugged in.

When plugged in to 30 amp power or running your generator, the inverter provides no benefit. So you only need it in true boondocking situations where you can just turn it on whenever you need 120v power to run small devices such as a CPAP machine, TV, or DVR.

Unless big bucks have been spent by the previous owner to upgrade batteries and replace the original inverter, it will not run a hair dryer, microwave, toaster, or even a large coffee pot. Count on using appliances only when plugged in or using your generator.

PS. - We have travelled 17,000 miles so far and never used our inverter. This is because we use a 12v (not 120v) TV/DVR, sound machine, fans, and USB chargers. When plugged into to 30amp campsite service, we can run anything we want, just not maybe all at the same time.
Rowie...thank you ... now I have a full understanding of when to use the inverter and when not to to use it...so much to learn about RVing... this forum is a great resource for information and getting feedback from folks that have been there, done that...
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Old 09-07-2019, 02:20 PM   #9
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Looks like we have the base ttipplite 750...
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Old 09-07-2019, 03:29 PM   #10
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Looks like we have the base ttipplite 750...
i would go to triplite and read the manual.
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Old 09-07-2019, 07:40 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by gerrym51 View Post
i would go to triplite and read the manual.
Here are the documents on the 2011 Triplite 750UL.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Trip Lite rv750ulhw Brochure.pdf (178.6 KB, 7 views)
File Type: pdf Tripp Lite RV750UL Manual.pdf (632.2 KB, 6 views)
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