Inverters with 3 Stage chargers

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NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com - 19 Apr 2006 17:02 GMT

I want to replace my current converter, which has 3 stage charging, with the
separate transfer switch for an inverter with 3 stage charging that includes
transfer switching. I have more than 300Ah in the battery bank and want to
be able to use them for coffee maker and light microwave use during
breakfast. I am thinking 1500 or 2000 watts and modified sine wave is good
enough.

Please comment on my plans, what you think is the best inverter/charger, and
any other suggestions are wlecomed... Al

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Will Sill - 19 Apr 2006 17:19 GMT

I see where "NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com" <nowhere@yahoo.com>
contributed:

>I want to replace my current converter, which has 3 stage charging, with the
>separate transfer switch for an inverter with 3 stage charging that includes
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>Please comment on my plans, what you think is the best inverter/charger, and
>any other suggestions are wlecomed... Al

We have been 100% satisfied with the Heart Freedom 1500w
inverter/charger (similar tiems sold now by Xantrex) Pricy but has
worked flawlessly for almost 7 years. For similar items see
http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/freedom_inverter_charger.html

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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RichA - 19 Apr 2006 17:37 GMT

Hi,
Xantrex Freedom inverter/chargers have built in transfer switching.
Which means they will switch from battery power to AC shore power when
the RV is plugged into shore power. Many RV's use the Freedom model
inverters.

You don't say what kind of RV you have but if you have a built in
generator you still need a transfer switch of some sort to switch
between shore power and generator power. The built in transfer switches
in the inverter/charges just switch between inverter power and AC power
be it shore or generator power.

If you plan on using the microwave I would suggest the 2000 watt
inverter.

Try this site and look under Inverter/Chargers for more information.
http://www.xantrex.com/

Hope this helps. Take care and Happy Campin...

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RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com - 19 Apr 2006 18:51 GMT

Thanks for your suggestions, also Will's and Dapper Dave's... see below for
some
reactions to RichA...

> Hi,
> Xantrex Freedom inverter/chargers have built in transfer switching.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> in the inverter/charges just switch between inverter power and AC power
> be it shore or generator power.

I do have a generator, our RV is a Class B. I thought I could eliminate the
present transfer switch if I install a new inverter charger with its
transfer
switch, but you imply the current transfer switch stays to switch
from shore power to generator power. I am guessing the inverter's
transfer switch is to transfer power from 120 to the 12v bank for inversion.

> If you plan on using the microwave I would suggest the 2000 watt
> inverter.

As Dapper dave says, the pure sine wave ones are probably better for
a microwave

> Try this site and look under Inverter/Chargers for more information.
> http://www.xantrex.com/
>
> Hope this helps. Take care and Happy Campin...

You are all helpful always... Al

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Will Sill - 19 Apr 2006 19:04 GMT

I see where "NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com" <nowhere@yahoo.com>
contributed:

>I do have a generator, our RV is a Class B. I thought I could eliminate the
>present transfer switch if I install a new inverter charger with its
>transfer
>switch, but you imply the current transfer switch stays to switch
>from shore power to generator power. I am guessing the inverter's
>transfer switch is to transfer power from 120 to the 12v bank for inversion.

Ummmm . . . you need to get &B read the detailed information about
installing an invereter/charger - or get a trained person to do it for
you. IMO the best "transfer switch" for genset/shore power is plugging
the power cord into the gen OR the shore power receptacle.

The transfer switch in the inverter/charge works only to switch the
inverter function on when there is no AC power available from either
gen or shore power.

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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RichA - 19 Apr 2006 21:41 GMT

> Thanks for your suggestions, also Will's and Dapper Dave's... see below for
>some
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>> If you plan on using the microwave I would suggest the 2000 watt
>> inverter.

Hi,
Right the inverter transfer switch just switches from inverter power to
120 AC power when it senses that there is 120V power available.

Running the microwave and how it cooks depends upon the microwave some
too. Ours draws about 120-130 DC amps and seems to cook just as fast on
inverter power as on 120V AC. At least we don't change the cooking
times when we use it on inverter power. :) We normally never run ours
for more then 5 minutes at a time , and it's usually only run on
inverter power for lunches when we are traveling. Unless you have a
specific need for a pure sine wave inverter, I don't see the need for
one myself.

Take care and Happy Campin...

Signature

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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Dapper Dave - 19 Apr 2006 18:16 GMT

>"NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com" <nowhere@yahoo.com> wrote:

I don't have experience with a variety of large inverters, but we have
had two Xantrex Freedom 458 inverters, a 1500 watt and a 2000 watt. They
work fine.

They are modified sine wave inverters. The only disadvantage I have
found from using MSW inverters is that our microwave cooks at about half
speed when running off the inverter, even though it is drawing around
150 amps DC. For that reason, we never run the microwave from the
inverter for more than about 30 seconds. It takes too long to replace
that degree of battery depletion.

One suggestion I have is that you get the RC7 GS remote for these
inverters. It not only allows the inverter to start the generator
automatically, but it has a lot of programming functions that let you
get the most out of your battery bank.

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