Power inverter for camper tailer

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 07:27

ThreadID: 90108 Views:7550 Replies:7 FollowUps:5

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Inverters

This article discusses how Inverters work and why they are so desirable to many travellers. It explains the difference between modifed sine wave inverters and pure sinewave inverters; contains a

the campfire guru

Hi Guys,

We bought a camper and now looking for info on power inverters for it.
Found one on ebay 3000 -6000w.

Not knowing anything about electrics, can anyone suggest some info for me.

Cheers

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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 07:38

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 07:38

Suggest read our blog Electricity for Camping.

You can probably do without an inverter, and certainly you don't need one of that huge size. Please read the blog and get back to us.

Cheers

John

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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AnswerID: 470060

Reply By: olcoolone - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 08:16

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 08:16

For a 3000-6000 watt inverted you would need at least 4 to 6 100 amp hour deep cycle battery's and a hugh 240v 40 amps+ charger or 300-500 watt's of solar to re charge them in a reasonable time frame.

Why do you need 3000-6000w for a camper..... what are you planing to run from it?

Inverters are a good idea for camping and take a lot of the hassle out of recharging devices and running some 240v stuff.

What sort of camper is it and what type of camping are you going to do?.

AnswerID: 470061

Follow Up By: Racey - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 08:51

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 08:51

Maybe too many 00000's

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FollowupID: 744511

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 09:51

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 09:51

Hi
You should avoid the euse of inverters whenever possible
The 240v from an inverter is just as deadly as your home supply
Your inverter is not fitted with a safety switch [RCD]
An inverter is reasonably safe if only used with double insulated devises [fitted with a 2pin plug]
The general safety recommendation is "CONNECT NO MORE THAN ONE class1 devise @ ANYTIME"[always have 3pin plugs]
If an inverter is connected via the van power inlet socket, the van itself is the FIRST class1 devise
Each additional clas 1 devise encrease the potential or electric shock AS THE VAN RCD IS NOT OPERATIONAL

Peter

FollowupID: 744526

Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 11:45

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 11:45

Most people do not need an inverter for camping. If you want a more accurate answer please advise what you need it for. 3000-6000W watt inverter is a monster, you wouldn't need that.

AnswerID: 470074

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 12:55

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 12:55

Hi Guru

The most common size is 300W to 600W for most chargers and computers.

If you need 3000W I would recommend a Honda or Yamaha generator if you are allowed to use it in camp.

Have a look at this info on one of our newsletters. Inverter-or-gas

Regards

Derek from ABR

AnswerID: 470078

Reply By: the campfire guru - Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 18:40

Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011 at 18:40

As I said I know nothing of electrics.
I thought 3000 sounded stronger than 300. We Have a camper trailer, and want to know what to use to run some things when out bush.
Im not a knob who takes his TV camping ( as thats just not camping) but with a wife and kid I will need some power for them when out bush.

I prefer campfire and swag myself.

AnswerID: 470101

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 at 05:03

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 at 05:03

Campfire guru

We do everything 12 volts , with our camper trailer, via a 100 amp hr Deep cycle battery, and another on the Poootrol.
Rechargable AAA and AA batteries are the go.
Have a 300 watt inverter to charge them, and that is it, cost is under $100

If we are camped up for a couple of days, we have solar panels.
After all we are camping up, and do not want too much luxury.
Cheers
Bucky

AnswerID: 470135

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 at 06:49

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 at 06:49

Hi Bucky,

We have a 12V charger for AA/AAA batteries, and a separate 12V one for our camera batteries. Each cost about $20 but that was a few years ago.

Cheers,

Val.

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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FollowupID: 744608

Reply By: The Bantam - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 00:49

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 00:49

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

The time is here and now, That there is no necessity to have 240V in a caravan or camper.

So many thing now run 12V DC as their native power source, and many things run more efficiently from 12V

Almost any 240v device you can think of will be either unnecessary, inefficient, inappropriate or dangerous in a camping situation.

If you tink 240V in your camper or caravan is just as dangerous as at home......think again, the 240V situation at home is far far safer.

cheers

AnswerID: 470219

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:17

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:17

HI Bantam
Re:If you tink 240V in your camper or caravan is just as dangerous as at home......think again, the 240V situation at home is far far safer.""

YES, you are quite correct
I should have added 'if not fitted with a RCD"

That is when so many accidents & DEATHS occurred
Peter

FollowupID: 744703

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:30

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:30

Oh yeas as I have mentioned before.

When away from a properly instaled permanent earthing system as provided in our grid connected houses, you RCD ( safety switch) can not be relied upon for any protection.

Yes inverters...little boxes of portable death.

Remember to that a camper trailer is a wet area....all of it.....just like being outdoors unprotected or in your bathroom.

Inverters are great little things but we realy do have to think twice about their use.

cheers

FollowupID: 744708