Inverter recommendation

[richard5933]

We're looking to install a stand-alone inverter for our 4108. It will run our TV, Blue Ray player, sound bar, and charge the occasional laptop so pure sine wave only. Prefer a unit that can be hardwired to the 120v output. Initial thoughts are 2000w to give us some room to grow and run various equipment down the road. I plan on running a circuit from this inverter to outlets located in a few spots inside the bus to run the above equipment. Will be powered from 800Ah 12v battery bank (four L16 batteries in series/parallel).

We've opted against a charger/inverter, as I'm purposefully installing a separate charger.

Any suggestions for an inverter? I was going to go with the Aims 2000w, but it appears to not be available with the hard wire option any longer. Not sure about other brands so I thought I'd ask.

[Utahclaimjumper]

     XANTREX

[muldoonman]

Magnum. Have had mine for a few years and going strong. It does have a built in charger. 2500 watt.

[windtrader]

Richard,

Seems like a 1k is more than enough. What are you using for AC, other appliances, lighting, etc? I'm running everything on an old Vanner 3300 watt. It's not run out but over draws the generator on occasion. Generarc 2x120x33 amps. As it is a charger/inverter, it can overload if bulk charging 100%, heating water 100%,  and running AC, etc. Just have go manually cycle some things sometimes. Initially, it seemed generators >10K were unneeded but now I understand where they shine.

[TomC]

Magnum MS2812. It is pure sine wave with a 100amp 3 stage charger built in. Take from one that has had the Trace 2512 modified sine wave for over 23 years and nothing ever going wrong, there is NO reason to have a separate battery charger-the built in 3 stage charger can be adjusted for any type of battery and charge rate. It works seamlessly and eliminates one more thing to go wrong-mainly having a separate inverter and separate battery charger. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

Don Rowe 1-800-367-3019 he sells the Kisae those are decent inverter's for the money (no charger) I just took a look he has the 2000w on sale right now  
www.donrowe.com  

[Lee Bradley]

OK I'll bite. Why a separate charger?

[richard5933]

OK I'll bite. Why a separate charger?

I'm actually surprised you're the first to ask. There are a few reasons...

First, I like to have things simple. If my inverter craps out, I want to have to replace the inverter, not the whole shebang. I can also buy a separate inverter and charger and still be no where near the cost of a comparable combined unit. Since updates are in the near future (see below) it doesn't make sense to spend the extra money yet. I also like to to be able to understand everything that's going on, and for me it's just easier to understand the setup when things are kept simple.

I did explore installing a more automated system. Most of the inverter/chargers out there that would be big enough for where I'd eventually like to get things require a 30-amp feed to the transfer switch. I've got no where on the bus to provide a 30-amp feed unless I reconfigure things in the 120v system, and that's not happening this year. This conversion was done by Custom Coach in 1974. It is a work of art in how they have the wiring tucked away and tied back. However, there is not a spare inch in any of the wiring to move or adjust things. The 120v breakers they used are an outdated system originally designed for marine use. It is still fully functional, but I've been unable to find any parts to expand the system. You can see the current control panel in the bus. It looks great and works as originally intended. Problem is they left no room to modernize.

My goal this year is to add enough modern amenities to keep us relatively comfortable through this summer's camping. We'll make notes and figure out how we want to configure things, and then next year we plan to find a way to update the electrical system (and other house systems as needed) to better meet our needs. Whatever we end up doing, I've been told that under no circumstances is this bus going to look like a modern RV - we'll have to figure out a way to tuck the modern components into the coach without losing the 1974 vibe. The furnace and fridge can both be run off 12v, as can the roof vent and the LED lighting throughout. We have a portable propane stove for use when we're not plugged in.

So, for now I'm looking to spend a few hundred dollars to allow us to watch a few movies, charge a computer, or use other small electronics. The inverter will be installed to feed up to three outlets in the bus using individual mini transfer switches. We've had the conversation about having to turn an extra switch to watch TV or use power while on inverter, and I don't expect any issues.

UPDATE: I took the advice of luvrbus and called the folks at donrowe.com who were very helpful. I ended up spending more than I originally thought on a Samlex 2000w which can be hardwired (although together with the separate 70-amp charger still less than a comparable converter charger). This is an inverter we can grown into a bit over the summer and fall as it has more capacity than we need right now. I went with this unit because it can run at rated max for a much longer duty cycle than the less expensive Kisae, and I thought it would provide more trouble-free use.

[chessie4905]

You sure that coach wasn't converted by Don Hoffman of Hoffman Custom Coach in Clarendon, Pa? That panel is identical to the one in our former 4104 less a couple of gauges. Same 12kw Koehler diesel gen  with squirrel cage blower cooling radiator. If so,couple of tips. The heavy cable from gen to battery had the covering deteorate and crack and would fall off if disturbed.Fortunately, I discovered it before failure and a massive short. Replaced it with  heavy gauge welding cable. Looks like heat over the years caused insulation to fail.
Does your conversion have an icemaker?

[Oonrahnjay]

      I have an outback (12V 2000 watt) -- best of times and worst of times.  It has a remote programmer/readout module that's incredibly flexible useful; also, incredibly complicated and non-user friendly.  It seems very reliable but sometimes not.  The charger is very accurate and useful, so far as I can tell.  One strong failing if you're not on a 50-Amp shore connection is that it doesn't have any "load sharing" capability.  If you are plugged into a 15-Amp socket, and you need 20 Amps, it will pull all 20 Amps from the battery bank.  In theory, it will then recharge the batteries from extra amperage once your high power needs are met -- but what extra power, that's why you are limited to 15 Amps in the first place.  
     In a lot of ways, it's OK but it just doesn't feel good in low-power situations.

[richard5933]

You sure that coach wasn't converted by Don Hoffman of Hoffman Custom Coach in Clarendon, Pa? That panel is identical to the one in our former 4104 less a couple of gauges. Same 12kw Koehler diesel gen  with squirrel cage blower cooling radiator. If so,couple of tips. The heavy cable from gen to battery had the covering deteorate and crack and would fall off if disturbed.Fortunately, I discovered it before failure and a massive short. Replaced it with  heavy gauge welding cable. Looks like heat over the years caused insulation to fail.
Does your conversion have an icemaker?

Unless Don put these plaques on, I'm pretty sure. I actually have the transit permit when the coach traveled from GMC's factory to Custom Coach.

Did he work for them at some point?


Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108A-125 (Current bus)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (totalled Sept 2017)
Located in beautiful Wisconsin
KD9GRB

[chessie4905]

Hmm. Must have gotten his conversion "ideas" from a Custom Coach conversion. Unless he previously worked for them and went off on his own. 300 miles from his original shop in Warren, Pa. To Columbus, Ohio