Inverter Survey

I did miss the previous post. What I had on my screen was just my quote with your added emphasis. There was none of your accompanying text. I am still digesting options and am not leaping yet. (at least on the inverter, I will likely work the solar install within next month)

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by M&M Hokie

I did miss the previous post. What I had on my screen was just my quote with your added emphasis. There was none of your accompanying text. I am still digesting options and am not leaping yet. (at least on the inverter, I will likely work the solar install within next month)

If you got the same solar panels that muddog and I got, you'll love them.

Originally Posted by harveyrv

If you got the same solar panels that muddog and I got, you'll love them.

I haven't ordered them yet but expect to get the same ones you guys did. It looks like they are 459 a pair including shipping.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by M&M Hokie

I haven't ordered them yet but expect to get the same ones you guys did. It looks like they are 459 a pair including shipping.

I have seen them listed on his site for $209 each w/free S&H from time to time. I think that's what muddog paid. I think I paid $450.

I am installing a 160 watt solar panel charging system and have finally settled on an inverter that seems to be a good fit for me and my 2005 2619.

The main purpose of this inverter will be short occasional powering of things like my 950 watt microwave oven (that can operate at lower power levels if needed) and other lower powered items. I know Wayne and others have similar setups and I have learned much from their posts on the topic.

I plan on using 12V DC for most everything and have incurred the expense of converting 4 lights from 1156 type incandescent bulbs with LED type bulbs for when I run on DC. They work surprisingly well and are plenty bright. The load difference is 29 watts for the 1156 incandescents verses 1.4 watts for the LED bulb, that's impressive. Here are the LED bulbs I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I have a 12v adapter for my main laptop computer which will also act as my DVD player, TV and entertainment system when on DC power.

I initially bought a super cheap Cobra CP 1575 unit and got what I paid for, a defective unit which is going back. So, then I did the research I should have done initially and realized that was probably one of the least efficient and lowest quality units I could buy. I do see many people who have them and love them, but also many others with horror stories, some opening them up to reveal unbelievably bad and dangerous construction. That's an area I don't want to take chances with. Also because the rest of my solar power system is of good quality I wanted to match that with a good quality inverter.

I have ordered the Xantrex Prowatt SW 1000 as shown here:
http://www.xantrex.com/power-product...rowatt-sw.aspx
It's a pure sine wave type inverter that seems to be good quality with good specs. I know running my microwave will be marginal but seems doable. I know many other folks around here have lots of experience with this stuff and just wanted to see if any words of wisdom or insightful information come to mind about these things.

I am a few weeks away from leaving on a nice 3-week trip to Moab and Zion, Utah for some COLD R & R and a couple Jeep runs. Most likely I will be posting a few times from the road to update folks on a couple threads where I am testing some self-adjusting Dexter brakes I just installed and a new oil filled radiator type heater that will be used in what should be pretty cold temps, well below freezing at night.

As for the 160 wattt solar panel power system, I usually stay in full hook-up locations but wanted to install and good solar system so I can get out and do more dry camping. I also like to be better prepared for things like earthrquakes...I live in CA and it's been a bit of a bumpy year this year. So having a way to keep the batteries charged really makes week long boondocking much more realistic and enjoyable. Just like many RVers around here I find the best places to really get away from it all is where it "all" isn't, out in the boonies.

Happy camping and Happy Holidays!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Mr Geek

The main purpose of this inverter will be short occasional powering of things like my 950 watt microwave oven (that can operate at lower power levels if needed)

Just so you are not surprised or disappointed, very few microwaves will actually operate at reduced power. If you program it for 50% power, for example, what it will do is operate at full power for one second (or some similar time interval) and then shut off for one second. Repeating this cycle over and over gives 50% average power ("cooking power"). But during the one second that it is on, the inverter must carry the full-power load. It may balk at doing this, especially on a repeated basis.

If you plug in the microwave in the house, put something in it, and set it for 50% cook power, you can probably hear the thing cycle on and off. Or plug a lamp into the same outlet, and see if it dims and brightens.

Incidentally, there are a few microwaves that actually do seem to operate at reduced power. Somewhere we have a Sanyo (I think) with "inverter technology" (ta-dah!). The manual insists that it provides continuous heating with reduced cooking power. I've intended to confirm it by monitoring line current, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. But at least it is describing the right thing.

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill

Just so you are not surprised or disappointed, very few microwaves will actually operate at reduced power. If you program it for 50% power, for example, what it will do is operate at full power for one second (or some similar time interval) and then shut off for one second. Repeating this cycle over and over gives 50% average power ("cooking power"). But during the one second that it is on, the inverter must carry the full-power load. It may balk at doing this, especially on a repeated basis.

If you plug in the microwave in the house, put something in it, and set it for 50% cook power, you can probably hear the thing cycle on and off. Or plug a lamp into the same outlet, and see if it dims and brightens.

Incidentally, there are a few microwaves that actually do seem to operate at reduced power. Somewhere we have a Sanyo (I think) with "inverter technology" (ta-dah!). The manual insists that it provides continuous heating with reduced cooking power. I've intended to confirm it by monitoring line current, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. But at least it is describing the right thing.

Bill

Hi Bill, thanks for your reply.

Now that you mention it, I do remember noticing my little GE unit in the RV did cycle on lower power settings, good point. I also have a nicer Panasonic NN-T990SA F with inverter tech and it does seem to acutally power down, it doesn't cycle during low power mode:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NN-T.../dp/B000063TLW

BUT the little GE unit must use full power when ever it's "nuking". So the unit is 950W and according to the Prowatt manual (see attached) is says the unit will output an additional 10% of the continuous power of 900W for 5 minutes before needing to cool for 15 minutes. I assume that means it should output 990W for 5 minutes enought to run that GE microwave and hopefully real world results will equal published numbers. That's enough time for a bag of popcorn and most of the frozen meals I like.

I guess I will just have to see how it goes. I really don't want a larger inverter, they just hog power I won't use and this unit really seems to be a good fit for my use.

I know one thing this unit is so much better than the Cobra unit. You may find this very interesting. Actually look at these images (see link below) and the NOTES on each image (Hover Mouse over Boxes on images). This person opened a Cobra CP 1575 unit and took great photos and took the time to document what he found...darn scary, looks like there were made a poorly lit garage by people who didn't care!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-me...e=UTF8&index=0

Take care,

Bob.

[ShrimpBurrito]

I am just curious......what does everyone find so important that they go to such lengths to have a microwave while camping, especially dry camping? This device hasn't been around that long -- clearly, people ate just fine before their debut, and there are lots of low tech ways of reheating food.

Dave

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

I am just curious......what does everyone find so important that they go to such lengths to have a microwave while camping, especially dry camping? This device hasn't been around that long -- clearly, people ate just fine before their debut, and there are lots of low tech ways of reheating food.

Dave

Initially I didn't think I would use mine much. But I end up eating similar in my RV to how I eat at home, because I can. Actually I eat better (or worse, depending on one's perspective) when camping, I use it as an excuse to eat the bad stuff I truly enjoy.

I don't nuke stuff that cooks best on the stove but some things, mainly frozen dinners and meals I make and freeze thaw/heat up great in the microwave. You push a button and forget it.

It's just habit, I could do it on the stove too and it wouldn't ruin my days if I couldn't use the microwave.

I think if you don't normally use a microwave at home you surely don't need one in your RV. But if you have come to enjoy the convenience of one at home, then having a small one in the RV is nice.

No big deal, they can take my microwave and I don't mind

The reason for my inverter is to complete this solar panel power system providing AC power IF needed. My goal is to use DC if at all possible. I simply use my microwave as the most demanding power load wattage I would use with an inverter. Other high load items are typically used for longer periods (like heaters) and are not pratical use items with battery power IMHO.

[Wavery]

FWIW.......Harbor freight has a 1200W (modified sine wave) inverter on sale for $80..........I'm not recommending it.........I'm not even buying it (although that's a screaming good deal )....I'm just saying......
http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-wa...ter-93761.html