Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:47:13 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: power inverters
In-Reply-To: <16803892.491341.1418870076066.JavaMail.root@vms170027.mailsrvcs.net>
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Keep in mind that if using an inverter while the alternator is charging the wiring all the way from the alternator to the battery and inverter needs to carry that load. Whenever the alternator does not keep up both the house and chassis battery will try to support that load so that path needs to be engineered to do the job also. Keep in mind the later vans with AC have the 90 amp alternators because there are times that capacity is needed.
If you are adding any permanent wiring to the inverter on the 110 volt side it needs to designed and listed for use in a recreational vehicle. Part of the requirement that the output needs to have a neutral that is tied to the chassis as ground. The van is small. Just plug whatever into the outlet on the inverter.
In theory 90 amps at 12 volts is 1080 watts. You need about 15 to 20 amps to charge each 65 A/H battery through the bulk stage. You will need 7 to 13 amps for lighting. More if you did the high power bulb thing for all four lights. Heater fans or air conditioning can be another 20 amps and if the radiator fan is needed for high speed you can have 35+ amps there. If that crock pot is 400 watts then there goes 40 amps. Yes it may cycle but when on the alternator and batteries will try to support that load until something smokes.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of David Bjorkman
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2014 9:35 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fwd: Re: Re: power inverters
Thanks Ken. You are a helpful guy. I have the 2nd deep cycle battery setup and would only run a large watt load if the engine was running. In my perfect setup (still in my head) a 4 to 6 gage wire would go to the inverter as close to the house battery (under driver's seat) as possible. I would like to avoid the cabinet due to usually filling it to go camping/road trip. Not sure about that. Behind the seat is fire extinguisher, oil, various racks and pokers for dinner and marshmallows, gloves. etc. Anyhow, said inverter output would go, via 12 gage, to an outlet, mayhaps in the cabinet next to the fridge 110v outlet.
I was just curious about, with loss due to inverter being an inverter, how many watts would be OK with that 90 amp alt. If you are saying 1600 is about max safely, let me know. I'm thinking of a crock pot while driving for 4 to 7 hours.
Dave b.
On 12/17/14, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:
Dave, you have to ask yourself what you want to power with it? Then you can size it appropriately. I would recommend a setup that we have done a few times now. 2nd deep cycle battery under the driver's seat, then mount the inverter right behind the seat. You want to the run of wiring from the battery to the inverter to me as short as possible. Some of the new new inverters have little digital displays for the remaining battery voltage, and also sense when something is plugged in and needs power and turn themselves on and off automatically (awesome!). I have installed 1600 watt units and they seem to do fine and would do most everything that you would want. Let me know if I can help you further.
Ken
On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 6:39 PM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>
wrote:
>
> Hi All;
>
> I'm looking into power inverters. About how many watts can I safely
> get out of an inverter with a 90 amp alternator in an '87 Westy
> running an inline Golf engine?
>
> Dave B.
>
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
