Results for "inverter upgrade"

Electrical Medium 30 min read 131 👍 0

RV DC Electrical System: Expert Guide to 12 Volt Systems

Opened my RV this morning to find the 12V system going haywire — lights dimming randomly, fans slowing down, and the inverter shutting off despite full batteries.

Specifically, I need to understand the fundamentals of RV batteries - different types, proper sizing, charging requirements, and maintenance. I'm also confused about DC wiring best practices, what gauge wire to use for different applications, how to properly route and protect circuits, and where fuses and breakers should go. Voltage monitoring is another area where I'm lost - I see all these battery monitors and don't know what I actually need or how to interpret the readings.

I'm also planning some system upgrades down the road like adding solar or upgrading to lithium batteries, so I'd love to understand how all these components work together and what I need to consider for future modifications. Is there a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of RV DC electrical systems from batteries and wiring through monitoring and upgrades? …more

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Appliances Medium 3-4 hours 125 👍 0

Best RV Thermostatic Shower Mixing Valves 2024 - Installation Guide

According to my screaming every morning, there's this scalding burn followed by an icy shock sensation hitting my back in my RV shower. There's no middle ground - it's like my water heater has anger management issues.

I'm shopping for a thermostatic mixing valve to save myself from daily temperature shock therapy. I keep seeing mechanical models like the Symmons Temptrol and Phoenix PF213200, but honestly have no idea if they're any good. And don't get me started on those fancy digital ones like the Kohler DTV+ - they look amazing but I'm guessing they're about as RV-friendly as a pet elephant.

Anyone know which thermostatic valves actually work well in RVs without requiring me to rewire half my rig or sacrifice my firstborn to the plumbing gods? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 4-6 hours 107 👍 0

RV 3-Way to 12V Compressor Fridge Replacement: Cut Power Use 80%

Three weeks into owning this RV and the previous owner left me with a power-hungry Norcold 3-way absorption fridge that's absolutely demolishing my 600AH battery bank daily.

I keep hearing people rave about switching to 12V compressor fridges like the Dometic DMC4101, claiming they'll solve all my power woes. But here's the thing - everyone says "it uses way less power" but nobody gives me actual numbers! I need the cold hard facts: exactly how much power will I save making this switch? Will it really make that big of a difference, or am I just trading one expensive problem for another?

Please tell me someone has real-world experience with the power consumption difference between these fridge types! …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Solar Batteries Hard 4-6 hours 106 👍 0

MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202

About my 2007 Fleetwood Bounder: the MagnaSine MS2012 manual claims it should handle my loads perfectly, but this inverter keeps failing on me anyway. It's been acting up for months now - the microwave keeps causing it to hiccup and shut off, then it comes right back on. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

I've been looking at upgrading to something more reliable, maybe a Victron or another brand, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the options out there. What are the best replacement inverters that other RVers have had success with? I just want something that's going to work consistently without all these random shutdowns.

Before I spend a bunch of money though, could this actually be a battery issue instead of the inverter itself? I'd hate to replace a perfectly good unit if the real problem is somewhere else in the system. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 98 👍 0

Complete RV Solar System Guide 2024: Sizing, Installation & Wiring

Turned to YouTube for RV solar advice and now I'm more confused than ever - probably a dumb question, but how do I actually size this thing? Could fellow RV owners share details about their current solar setups?

Please provide insights on:
- Total system watts
- Fixed or portable panels
- Rigid or flexible panel types
- Series or parallel wiring configuration
- Total system amps
- System voltage
- Wire gauge used
- Controller type
- Personal pros and cons of your current setup
- What you might change in a future installation

These details will help establish baseline specifications for a fleet installation project. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 94 👍 0

RV Chassis Battery Draining & Dead Outlets - Troubleshooting

Finally followed the manual's advice to check the converter first when my outlets died, but my RV chassis battery keeps draining even though the converter tests perfectly. here and I'm at my wit's end with my 2018 Winnebago Vista. The chassis battery keeps going completely dead every few days, even when we're plugged into shore power at the campground. I've already replaced the battery twice thinking it was just old, checked all the obvious stuff like dome lights and radio, and even had the alternator tested - everything checks out fine.

What's really driving me crazy is that this just started happening about a month ago out of nowhere. We've been full-timing for three years without any major electrical issues. I'm wondering if there's some parasitic draw I'm missing or if the battery isolator could be acting up? Has anyone else dealt with this nightmare? I'm getting tired of jump-starting this thing every other day and my wife is about ready to sell the rig and get a travel trailer instead! …more

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Electrical Easy 10 min read 93 👍 0

Motorhome vs Toy Hauler Electrical Systems: Complete Comparison Guide

Walked into three dealerships with my $40k budget and they're all pushing different electrical setups — can't afford to buy wrong between motorhome vs toy hauler power systems. Currently I have a 2020 F350 diesel SRW with a Reflection 29rs toy hauler, and I'm comparing a Grand Design Lineage 31ZW Super C motorhome versus a Momentum 381MS toy hauler.

The toy hauler I'm considering comes with serious electrical upgrades - 2 heated 400Ah lithium batteries with internal BMS, dual 3,000kVA inverters, four 300W bifacial solar panels, dual 50A solar controllers, and 60A DC-DC truck charging. Currently, to transport my side-by-side (SxS), I need two trucks and two trailers, which is inefficient.

I'm weighing pros and cons like overall length (truck and toy hauler would be about 60', MH and 20' cargo trailer would be about 57'), maintenance costs of keeping two diesel trucks, and transportation flexibility. I also have an F150 that could potentially serve as a toad vehicle.

What experiences can others share about transitioning between these RV types, especially considering power management and transportation logistics? …more

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Solar Batteries Easy N/A - planning 93 👍 0

Winnebago Ekko Solar Battery Setup: Complete Boondocking Power Guide 2

Looked at our 2022 Winnebago Ekko's dual 320 Amp Hour Lithionics batteries and 450-watt solar setup after my wife mentioned it wasn't optimized for boondocking, and now I'm completely obsessing over our power management. Planning extended boondocking trips to music festivals and remote locations.

I'm particularly interested in understanding how feasible it is to run the roof AC while driving using solar panels and batteries, and ensuring enough power remains when I arrive at my destination. What's the best strategy for maximizing battery life and solar charging efficiency during extended off-grid stays? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 92 👍 0

RV Whirlpool Refrigerator Cycling Every 30 Minutes: Is It Normal? [202

Looked everywhere for answers on my Whirlpool residential refrigerator cycling every 30 minutes—my neighbor says it's normal, RV dealer says it's broken, YouTube says something else entirely. The ambient temperature here is around 65°F, and I have both the fridge and freezer set to the 3rd snowflake setting.

I haven't timed it exactly with a stopwatch, but I keep noticing it kicking on again after what feels like a short time. I'm concerned this frequent cycling might be a sign of a problem or could lead to premature failure. I try to keep the vents clean when I can access them. Should I be worried about this 30-minute cycle pattern, or is this within normal range for an RV refrigerator in these conditions? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 87 👍 0

How to Install a Lithium Battery Manager Relay in Your RV - Complete Guide

Got my weekend planned to install a lithium battery manager relay in my 1999 Fleetwood American Dream Saturday — what should I have ready beforehand? I understand these relays are crucial for protecting lithium batteries from overcharging by managing the connection to the alternator, but I want to make sure I understand the complete installation process before I start.

I'm looking for detailed information on how these battery manager relays function - specifically how they disconnect the batteries from the alternator when charging isn't needed. More importantly, I need step-by-step guidance on the actual wiring process, including how to properly connect the relay between my alternator/converter and the new lithium battery bank. I'm particularly concerned about getting the fusing right and understanding what control circuits are involved in this setup.

This is a significant electrical modification to my RV's charging system, so I want to ensure I have all the technical details covered before I begin the installation. Any comprehensive guidance on the complete process would be extremely helpful. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours 87 👍 0

Georgetown GT7 Lithium Battery Conversion: Complete RV Installation Guide

Turned the keys on my 2023 Georgetown GT7 and discovered the previous owner left the electrical system in complete shambles, now facing this intimidating lithium conversion nightmare. I know I need LiFePO4 batteries, but every forum post I read mentions different components and I'm getting conflicting information.

I really want to make this upgrade work - the lead acid batteries are killing me with their weight and charging limitations. What specific components do I need beyond the actual lithium batteries? I'm especially confused about whether my converter will work and if I need additional charging equipment for the alternator. Please tell me my 2023 model year gives me some advantage here! …more

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Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

General Easy 15 minutes to verify 87 👍 0

Southwire EMS Built-in vs External Surge Protector: Do You Need Both?

Opened my 2022 Holiday Rambler 38N DP and discovered it's eating through surge protectors way faster than normal, despite having the built-in Southwire system. Dealer says I might not need an external surge protector like a Watchdog since it's already built in.

Does a built-in Southwire surge guard provide the same protection as a standalone EMS unit? Should I still install an external surge protector or is the built-in system sufficient? Want to make sure I have proper protection without buying unnecessary equipment. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 3-4 hours 85 👍 0

Can You Remove an RV Inverter Charger Without Replacement? (Yes, Here'

Called three RV supply shops about replacing my failed Xantrex inverter/charger in my 2001 Fleetwood Expedition — but do I even need one or just wasting money? Since I never utilize the inverter function and rely exclusively on generator or shore power for 120V loads, I'm evaluating whether complete removal is feasible rather than expensive replacement.

My primary concern is maintaining proper 12V DC charging capabilities for house batteries that power lighting, water pump, and ventilation systems. Would installing a standalone battery charger provide adequate charging and maintenance functionality? Are there any critical system integration issues I need to address, particularly regarding power transfer switching between shore power and generator sources? …more

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Solar Batteries Easy N/A - informational 84 👍 0

RV Lithium Batteries: Dual Purpose vs Deep Cycle for Coach House Banks & Performance

Despite watching countless YouTube videos on RV lithium batteries, I'm now more confused than when I started about dual purpose versus deep cycle for my motorhome's house bank. I understand that dual purpose batteries are designed to handle both starting and deep cycling applications, which sounds convenient for an RV setup. However, I'm wondering if there are performance trade-offs when using dual purpose lithium batteries specifically for coach/house battery applications where they'll primarily be doing deep cycling to power lights, water pump, refrigerator, and other 12V systems. Would I be better off with dedicated deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries for my house bank, or do dual purpose lithium batteries offer sufficient performance for typical RV boondocking and daily use? I want to make sure I'm getting the best cycle life and value for my investment in a house battery system. …more

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Propane Hard 2-4 hours 84 👍 0

How to Wire Girard Tankless Water Heater: Complete DSI Suburban Replacement Guide

Ripping out my old Suburban water heater to install a Girard tankless but the wiring is completely different — DSI ignition board, different voltage requirements, and the old thermostat wiring doesn't match up. Need a clear wiring diagram for this swap. …more

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