12v to 120v inverter

[TravelinDog]

So I discovered that our new to us 5th wheel has an inverter. It also has a factory installed 170 watt solar panel.
I'm sure the tech told me about it but we went over so much that I must have forgotten.
Anyway when I turn the switch to battery power I can only find 1 outlet that shows 120 volts. It's right next to the stove like for a coffee maker or such.
Does it sound right that there would only be 1 outlet with 120?

[time2roll]

agesilaus wrote:
Would 170W run a residential fridge? Seems unlikely. One out let with the small array and I presume, limited battery bank, seems right to me. Probably meant to make coffee and run the microwave for a short time.

Need closer to 600+ watts solar and 1000 watt inverter to run a compressor fridge. More battery too.

Coffee or MW may take 2000 watt inverter.

[wanderingaimles]

TravelinDog wrote:

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Along with the "coffee outlet" check the televisions, often they are on an inverter circuit.

Thanks, I didn't think to check the tv.

Our little Winnie has a 400 watt inverter, it runs the two tv's, the antenna amp, and a single outlet in the kitchen.
We use a small (hotel type) drip coffee maker, 4 cup and it works fine from the small inverter, we also can run an extension cord from the bedroom tv outlet, which lets the small inverter run both her bi-pap and my cpap without adding hardware.

[wa8yxm]

TravelinDog wrote:

Does it sound right that there would only be 1 outlet with 120?

Yes it does.. Common ways to install an inverter
Small ones (500 watt range (300-600) generally run the main TV/Entertainment systems (Radio, Sat DVD/Blue ray)

Slightly larger add the GFCI chain (Kitchen, bath, patio)

2000 adds the Microwave.

3000 add more

Bedroom outlets may be added at most any level (Save the smallest) depending on how the bedroom is wired. or not In my case not as the bedroom and Fridge were on the same circuit breaker (I later modified it so I could lock the fridge on GAS and power the bedside outlets, or not, as I choose)

[TravelinDog]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Along with the "coffee outlet" check the televisions, often they are on an inverter circuit.

Thanks, I didn't think to check the tv.

[TravelinDog]

2oldman wrote:

TravelinDog wrote:
I can only find 1 outlet that shows 120 volts. It's right next to the stove like for a coffee maker or such.

That sounds about right, although having your entire coach on inverter is much handier. How "new to us" is this coach?

It's a used 2021 we bought last Oct.
We figure someone bought it during this covid thing and lived in it for a couple of months, it is like brand new.

[wanderingaimles]

Along with the "coffee outlet" check the televisions, often they are on an inverter circuit.

[2oldman]

TravelinDog wrote:
I can only find 1 outlet that shows 120 volts. It's right next to the stove like for a coffee maker or such.

That sounds about right, although having your entire coach on inverter is much handier. How "new to us" is this coach?

[Grit_dog]

See which circuit(s) the inverter powers. trace the output from the inverter to the 120V breaker panel.
It's not likely that it is set up to power all the AC loads, as it couldn't handle all of them.

[Lwiddis]

170 watts of solar power isn't a bunch and may not fully recharge your batteries. This is essential if you have a residential or 12 volt fridge and don't always plug in. You don't want a dead battery when you wake up. Full recharging daily is also necessary for wet and AGM batteries to get their full service life.

The starting place for solar is to have the same number of solar watts and amp hours in the batteries.

[agesilaus]

Would 170W run a residential fridge? Seems unlikely. One out let with the small array and I presume, limited battery bank, seems right to me. Probably meant to make coffee and run the microwave for a short time.

[Second_Chance]

Small solar panels and inverters are usually installed to support residential refrigerators and not much else. Do you have a residential refrigerator?

Rob

[Lwiddis]

Yes, one outlet could be the only one.