Inverter confusions?

[Mrmedia]

I'm the second owner of a 2002 Winnebago Minnie 31C. I have no idea if the unit was made or came from the factory with an inverter. If it did, where is it and what service does it require? If it didn't, do I need one? What function does it perform? A real novice question from someone whose been across the country and back several times. Continued reading on the subject has led to more confusion, helpful responses appreciated.

mrmedia

[MtnTrek]

How an Inverter/Charger Works:
An inverter takes direct current (DC) from your batteries and turns
it into alternating current (AC), like you use at home. It also takes alternating current (when connected to a generator or to shore power) and transforms it into direct current to recharge your batteries.

If you had one it would probably be near your batteries with large cabling.
You definitely would have a Converter, which charges the house batteries. It could be closer to the main breaker panel.

If you intend to use some luxury items from battery power you may want an inverter.

Be well.

[AKOne]

Mrmedia, this short video may be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi1gLrlR-Co

[BFlinn181]

There are Converter/chargers, Inverter/chargers, and inverters.

A Converter/charger runs off 120v AC power, from the shore cord or generator. It converts 120v AC to 12v DC for charging batteries and powering all house functions.

An Inverter/charger does the job of a Converter/charger, but in addition can change 12v DC to 120v AC. On batteries alone, the inverter can deplete batteries quickly. It won't handle high amperage uses like space heater, air conditioning, etc. It will run a TV or coffee maker, or phone charger. Modified sine wave (MSW) inverters don't always operate some 120v items properly. Most often I hear of electric blankets not working with them. A pure sine wave (PSW) inverter gives 120v AC exactly like the power company, but they are more expensive.

An Inverter changes 12v DC to 120v AC. According to the model, it can be wired to provide power to certain outlets in the RV while no shore power or generator is on. It then switches automatically when shore power or generator is connected.

Nice thing about a Winnebago, they have complete owner's manuals, wiring, and plumbing diagrams free to download or just read online. Go to:

Winnebago Industries

to find out how your RV was originally equipped from the factory.

[Mrmedia]

Thanks, I appreciate the information and reference.
John

[Mrmedia]

Thank you, it was helpful.
John

[Mrmedia]

Thank you, that helps.
John

[tderonne]

I see no mention of an inverter in the 2002 Winnebago Minnie brochure. Or in the owner's guide.

Of course, the prior owner could have added one...

[grtharris]

There was an option for a 130W inverter that set next to the TV.

[Mrmedia]

Thanks for checking. I've found a red and black wires capped off behind the tv?

[Mrmedia]

What might that have run?

[BFlinn181]

If you check the voltage and they are 12v, probably wiring for the optional 130w inverter.

[tderonne]

The brochure, owners guide, and wiring diagrams don't show an optional inverter for a 2002 Minnie.
The great majority of Winnebago wiring is yellow or white and labeled. The red and black wires may not have put there by Winnebago.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by tderonne

The brochure, owners guide, and wiring diagrams don't show an optional inverter for a 2002 Minnie.
The great majority of Winnebago wiring is yellow or white and labeled. The red and black wires may not have put there by Winnebago.

On the "specifications" page in the 2002 Minnie Winnie brochure it shows a 130 watt inverter as an option.

https://winnebagoind.com/resources/b...Winnie-bro.pdf

On page 2 of the 2002 Minnie Winnie brochure it shows a picture of the television about half way down on the right hand side. The inverter is shown directly below the TV.

The text below the picture under the caption "That's Entertainment" mentions the inverter. It also says it only powers the TV and the VCR. If it's like the one in our 2001 Adventurer it powers the outlet that the TV and VCR are plugged into. It's an inverter only it has no other functions.

[tderonne]

That's the Minnie WINNIE brochure, not the Minnie. OP has a Minnie 31C.

[Mrmedia]

Ok, will check voltage first. Thanks a lot ! Much appreciated.
John

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by tderonne

That's the Minnie WINNIE brochure, not the Minnie. OP has a Minnie 31C.

Sorry, I thought he was just using Minnie as a shortened version of Minnie Winnie. However there is a similar picture on the right hand side of page 2 in the "Minnie" brochure.

https://winnebagoind.com/resources/b...Minnie-bro.pdf

It shows the TV with text below it. Under the caption "TV, VCR, A-OK" it mentions "an available inverter that provides 110 volt power to the TV and VCR when shoreline or generator power isn't in use".

On page 10 in the specifications section it also mentions the "130 Watt inverter as optional".


On page 8-14 of owners manual there's a brief blurb about turning on and off the "AC-DC Electrical Inverter - Optional"
https://winnebagoind.com/resources/m...2/02Minnie.pdf

[tderonne]

Don't know how I missed it in the brochure. It's not in the wiring diagrams though. I've seen errors in them before though. Tough to identify what wires are if there aren't in the diagrams. I'll have to look a little closer at the 12 volt side, for sure not on the 120 stuff.

I did find the ground, a white wire (standard Winnebago practice), but no power. Strange.

[nothermark]

It was not unusual to omit the inverter at that time as the only thing "needing" it would have been the TV because of the CRT. Newer units with flat screen TV's often run off 12 VDC. Much simpler. If you get Inverter fever check your battery capacity. The 10:1 voltage on the output is matched with a 10:1 current increase on the input. ;-)

[Mrmedia]

Thank you both, Confusion clarified!