Inverter

[Beesme]

Just installed a 3000 watt inverter with 2 ,31 batteries .Do any of you know if mounting inverter on ceiling of luggage compartment upside down will effect life of unit ? I left plenty of room for air flow. I didn't read where it mattered how it was mounted , it's not like there are moving parts . H,mmmm idk

[Jeremy]

I don't know the answer to your specific question but I would have the same concern - the 'peace of mind' solution would be to simply mount the invert upright on a suspended shelf hung from the ceiling.

Jeremy

[grantgoold]

I too had the same question and could not find a factory rep or repair technician who could answer my concerns. So, I made a suspended cage and problem solved. I now have the unit projected from accidental damage as well.

Grant

[Sean]

Make? Model?

I have never seen an inverter, UL-listed for RV use, that did not specify mounting details in the installation instructions.  But without knowing what you have, it's impossible to answer your question accurately.

That said, in general, inverters need airflow when they are operating, from convection or otherwise, and thus mounting them to a compartment ceiling is contraindicated.

-Sean

[bcbusman]

There should be no problem mounting it upside down

[mung]

As long as you drive in Australia you are fine mounting it upside down. 

Seriously though, I can't see anything in an inverter that would have any issue being mounted upside down. 

Vern

[Jeremy]

Hmm, well for one thing heat rises...so if the cooling vents are now at the bottom how's the hot air going to get out of the case? (On both my inverters, though, the vents are at the ends of the case with fans to pull the air through)

Although I personally wouldn't go quite as far as Sean in suggesting that the manufacturer is likely to have planned a convection flow throughout the whole compartment as part of the cooling arrangements for the inverter, for the sake of a little bit more work I'd certainly make the effort to mount the thing upright at least - and maybe even install a fan and/or cut some holes in the ceiling above the inverter if you judge that it's going to end-up sitting in a stagnant pocket of hot air of it's own making

Jeremy

[mung]

If the components are heating up that much, ambient venting isn't going to do jack for them.  If heat is an issue it would have a fan build in already. 

[eagle19952]

If the components are heating up that much, ambient venting isn't going to do jack for them.  If heat is an issue it would have a fan build in already. 

some do....have a fan iirc
but i have seen a few that were mounted vertically on a wall....
and living once, in a flood plain, pre hurricane IKE, I considered mounting mine on a bay ceiling...

[mung]

I wouldn't hesitate to mount an inverter or charger upside down.

[Dave5Cs]

Magnum says on my 4024 Hybrid has 2 fans. Don't think at 194 degrees F against 3/4 inch plywood would be very good with no air flow between it and the ply?
Dave5Cs


The inverter base can reach a temperature up to 90°C (194°F) and should be mounted on a
noncombustible surface*. This surface and the mounting hardware must also be capable of
supporting at least twice the weight of the inverter. To meet regulatory requirements, the MSH-M
Series must be mounted in one of the following positions (as shown in Figure 2-2):
• above or under a horizontal surface (shelf or table),
• on a vertical surface (wall) with the DC terminals to the right,
• on a vertical surface (wall) with the DC terminals toward the bottom

[TomC]

3000 watt inverter with 2-31 batteries? You'll find out very quickly, that those batteries are not enough. Depending on what you're running, you should be at least at 500amp/hrs (like 2-8D's). Good Luck, TomC

[bevans6]

What make and model of inverter?

Brian

[Beesme]

It's an n-verter brand from northern the batteries are deep cell marine batteries there is a 3/4 " of air space between ceiling and base . 24 hrs it reads 87deg with ir gun with an apt size frige I still have 106volts after 24 hrs the batts are tied in with my 8d batts so I m thinking between the 4 batteries it should last long enough . Oh and the bus started! I also have a 12 kW kubota generator if I did drain my batteries and that has its own battery also. I think I'm good . But it is only a start thanks for all the answers keep bussin ! Now onto solar haha omg ! I'm thinking at least 500watts for a start ! I'm just a dumb electrician haha she's gonna be a power station ! Jk see ya

[eagle19952]

so really you have something like this ?