6x12 V-Nose Build

[abqlloyd]

My inverter is a Prosine 2000. It has a GFI outlet. I was under the impression that the GFI protected every other outlet powered by the GFI and that installing another GFI downstream caused problems. Anyone know different?

[abqlloyd]

Hooked up the inverter and transfer switch. I went with the switch made for my inverter. All circuits will be either shore power or inverter. The switch is plug and play.

[abqlloyd]

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The outlet end goes to my QO box and breakers. I tested it by pulling the plug from the trailer and the inverter kicks in immediately.

[abqlloyd]

After evaluating all the options, this seemed the easiest and cheapest. I still have the option of running one circuit dedicated inverter if I want. My QO box has two circuits. The transfer switch plugs into one of the outlets on the inverter. The other is not affected. I'm wired now so that both circuits are fed by the transfer switch but can make them independent although I'm not sure why I would need to.

[abqlloyd]

The only remaining item is the battery charger when on shore power. I have an Iota that is probably overkill. The solar panels are overkill also. I think one will come off. I don't have enough battery to warrant 580 watts of output. I've got 220ah , or 110 at 50%. I can't justify lithium and two more T105 seems pointless right now.

I tested the 900w microwave, the K-cup coffee machine, and the heater. The inverter powered them all. I don't have the battery to run the heater for any length of time. Just wanted to see if I could kick it on.

[Rainier70]

I am not an electrician, but from what I remember from our experience of GFIs....
GFI protects the outlets downstream of it. Don't put another GFI downstream on the same circuit with the first one.. Also there are limits to the load you can put on a GFI circuit. Less resistance than a regular circuit breaker circuit. You may have to adjust how many plugs or how much wire you can connect to it.

Looks like you are making good progress.

[abqlloyd]

Thank you. I went with standard outlets downstream.

[abqlloyd]

Update on running a mini fridge on solar / inverter:

I have an ARB which i highly recommend. On the downside I wanted something that opened from the front that I could put into a cabinet. RV fridges are expensive for how little they are used. I went with an energy star combo fridge / freezer unit. Freezer is a separate door. On the wattmeter it pulls 80 watts, sometimes less, and maybe runs 20 minutes per hour. I've run it off two golf cart batteries and 300 watts without any problems. I have a 2000w sine wave inverter. Panels are flat on the roof. Battery charges without a problem.

Interestingly the newest full-size energy star units hardly use much more power than the small units. I plan to add extra insulation to the sides, and add an extra fan for circulation. Computer fans are whisper quiet and fit the bill.

[Rainier70]

Update on running a mini fridge on solar / inverter:

I have an ARB which i highly recommend. On the downside I wanted something that opened from the front that I could put into a cabinet. RV fridges are expensive for how little they are used. I went with an energy star combo fridge / freezer unit. Freezer is a separate door. On the wattmeter it pulls 80 watts, sometimes less, and maybe runs 20 minutes per hour. I've run it off two golf cart batteries and 300 watts without any problems. I have a 2000w sine wave inverter. Panels are flat on the roof. Battery charges without a problem.

Interestingly the newest full-size energy star units hardly use much more power than the small units. I plan to add extra insulation to the sides, and add an extra fan for circulation. Computer fans are whisper quiet and fit the bill.

Could you give the brand and size of fridge that you are using? Link to retail source? Thanks.

[abqlloyd]

Lowe's:

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[abqlloyd]

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[abqlloyd]

The label pegs it about one Kw hour per day. I'm seeing a little less but it is winter. The other day it used a total of 600 watts. I have two big panels, but am only using one right now. It will run this 24/7. When I'm back from camping I plan to just unplug it and open the door. I'll pre-chill before I head out.

There are pros and cons - but for $170 I'm not going to complain. I paid $800 for the ARB.

[abqlloyd]

Tested the microwave on the inverter. It is an older spare from the office, 900 watts. Ran fine. My wife suggested a combo microwave : convection unit she saw. 1200 watts and definitely a shore power unit. It would be a nice luxury. The Keurig pulled 94 amps. I have the single cup version that doesn't preheat the water. You just pour water into the top and hit start. I plugged the watt meter into the big Keurig at work and it pulls 30 watts, 24/7, just sitting there. It has the flashy lights and preheated water tank. Not the most efficient appliance.

I'm pretty excited about the coffee.

[abqlloyd]

One thing I would recommend to anyone is a Killawatt meter or equivalent. My coffee maker claims its 12amps AC but didn't see near that. The microwave stated 900 watts and it was. My fridge is pulling less than the label, but it is winter and I'm in a controlled test environment.

If we went after phantom power at a national level we could save billions and billions of watts.

[dustboy]

Thanks for the real world data on the little fridge. I had always assumed an ARB/Engel fridge would be the only option for boondocking on battery power, but it looks like with a couple solar panels, a mini fridge could run just fine. If my math is correct, you say the fridge used 600 watt hours in one day, assuming that the inverter is 80% efficient, you actually would use 720 Wh from the battery. 720 Wh/12V=60 Amp hours. I wouldn't want to pull more than that out of my Group 24dc battery but if it's offset by solar, no problem.