converter or wait to add solar?

[missnout]

If I plan on getting solar, should I wait to get a converter. Or does it not matter becouse I will need one with solar?

 

[missnout]

LOL, I see how that reads. I just wasnt sure about wiring a converter on and then rewiring. obviously I dont know what im doing. Real question would be how do I have some outlet power till I can get some solar installed?

 

[jimindenver]

A converter is something you plug into shore power or a generator when your solar can not keep up. Having one and a generator to run it is part of a long term plan including solar.

Now if you mean the component that controls the power from the panels, that is called a controller. I would wait to know what panels and batteries you will have before selecting one of those.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The converter provides 12 volt power - and recharges the house batteries - when you are plugged into shore power (or are running a generator). 

Which leads to the obvious question:  How often are you going to be plugged into shore power and/or a generator? 

Regards
John

 

[missnout]

I have a honda 2000i but do not plan on using it constantly,and will very seldom be plugged in. Maybe once or twice a month.

 

[missnout]

Well; i guess I will just get to the RTR and get help installing and learning.

 

[TMG51]

I think missnout means inverter, not converter. A converter charges your battery from 120v and an inverter does the opposite. You wouldn't really need to re-wire later as the inverter would just hook to your battery. However inverters are inherently inefficient and you need to know how your battery is getting charged without solar. You may be better off with 12v appliances. I don't use an inverter at all.

 

[missnout]

none of my outlets work with out shore powerer genny. So I need to make at least one work so I can use the computer and my son can charge his game thing. Also i would be be lying if I said I didn't like a little tv which is a 12 volt.

 

[SternWake]

Yes, in the RV world a converter takes 120vAC wall power and converts it into 13.6vDC for powering 12v loads and charging batteries.

An Inverter takes battery power and makes household electricity, albeit inefficiently.


YOur RV might already have both an inverter and a Converter. The inverter might have to be switched on manually for your existing outlets to work. There is no way for any of us to say.

For your laptop you could run a DC to DC 'car adapter' instead of an inverter. Plug your laptop make and model into amazon electronics and add car adapter. These are more efficient than running an inverter.

The son;s game thing, does it recharge via a USB plug?

If so, then one of these is all you need for that:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ds=usb+car+charger&sprefix=usb,automotive,200


A small inverter could power both. Laptops tend to max out at 120 watts these days, so a small inverter could be used:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...tt+inverter&rh=n:15684181,k:250+watt+inverter

Please note than at 60 watts or more, ciggy plugs and receptacles become problematic, or will become so at some point. Hooking the inverter right to the battery will achieve its full wattage.

The USB charger ciggy plugs are OK as they rarely pass more than 20 watts.

Please note it is easy to deplete a battery with an inverter powering things one brings from a stick and brick house.

My laptop can consume upto 7AH per hour, and I only have ~45 AH to use before my battery hits 50%.

 

[missnout]

Sternwake, thanks for the information. I guess i need to tinker around and see if I have a switch for the outlets. If not then figure how long an item can be safley used with no recharge available. say in the evening or if parked at a wallmart. Places where you cant fire up the gennerator. Sh$% I dont know

 

[SoulRaven]

I would look for 12v car cords for your computer, game system, and phone etc. and skip an inverter.

City parks are a good place to run a generator.