Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-05-2019, 06:10 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas and Scotland (via Peru)
Posts: 13
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
Catsmiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2019, 09:17 PM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Calif
Posts: 518
Default

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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2019, 04:06 AM   #3
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,058
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catsmiler View Post
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.
gerrym51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2019, 03:47 PM   #4
Platinum Member
 
rowiebowie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,651
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catsmiler View Post
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.
rowiebowie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 02:53 PM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas and Scotland (via Peru)
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
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...
Catsmiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 03:01 PM   #6
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas and Scotland (via Peru)
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gerrym51 View Post
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...
Catsmiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 03:09 PM   #7
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,058
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catsmiler View Post
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
gerrym51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 03:13 PM   #8
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas and Scotland (via Peru)
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rowiebowie View Post
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...
Catsmiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 03:20 PM   #9
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas and Scotland (via Peru)
Posts: 13
Default

Looks like we have the base ttipplite 750...
Catsmiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 04:29 PM   #10
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,058
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catsmiler View Post
Looks like we have the base ttipplite 750...
i would go to triplite and read the manual.
gerrym51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2019, 08:40 PM   #11
Platinum Member
 
rowiebowie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,651
Default

Quote:
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)
rowiebowie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 04:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.