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04-29-2014, 02:21 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Winnebago 2014 30T running on house batteries
Hi to all,
We are still learning how to use all the options our RV has and have a question on using the house batteries when not connected to shore electricity. We wanted to see what we can use on fully charged batteries. We are able to use in-house lights, the stereo system, fan over the oven and light. We were not able to turn on the microwave, or either TV's. I thought the fully charged batteries would allow use to use the TV's and microwave. Is there something else we should be doing other than turning on the generator? Thanks Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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04-29-2014, 08:38 AM
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#2
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
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You need an inverter to run those devices on battery power. Do you have an inverter? If you do, yoou need to turn it on. If you have one, it will probably only power the entertainment systems and not the microwave.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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04-29-2014, 12:44 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Thank you John.
We do have an inverter power button on the contol center in the hallway next to all the slideout buttons, etc. Once we turn it on, the inverter stays on until batteries are drained and does the inverter turn off once we hook up to land based electricity? Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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04-29-2014, 01:00 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
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You can leave the inverter on when on shore power or generator, I do mine. The converter will keep the battery charged. When on battery power you may want to turn the inverter on when you watch TV or use 120 Volt power and off when you don't need it. It will drain the batteries.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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04-29-2014, 03:34 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Le Claire, Iowa
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyLee
Thank you John.
We do have an inverter power button on the contol center in the hallway next to all the slideout buttons, etc. Once we turn it on, the inverter stays on until batteries are drained and does the inverter turn off once we hook up to land based electricity? Tony
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With the inverter on,and connect to 120V power, the inverter simply passes the shore power through it and on to the outlets. If you ever disconnect from shore power and the inverter is on, then it starts using the house batteries to make 120Vs. Left like this, it will drain your house batteries eventually.
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04-29-2014, 04:07 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghutch
With the inverter on,and connect to 120V power, the inverter simply passes the shore power through it and on to the outlets. If you ever disconnect from shore power and the inverter is on, then it starts using the house batteries to make 120Vs. Left like this, it will drain your house batteries eventually.
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Thank you. We will turn off the inverter when not needed. Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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04-29-2014, 04:19 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 587
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When using your inverter (or anytime) be aware of the SOC (state of charge) of your battery bank. It is harmful to the batteries to discharge below 50%. So when the SOC reaches 50% it's time to recharge the bank.
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
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04-30-2014, 03:18 PM
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#8
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
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If you plan on doing a lot of "Off the grid" or dry camping, then you need to invest in some Solar panels. One 150 Watt would help with keeping the batteries charged but you may need more panels if you plan on boon docking a lot.
Also, read the owners manual, you will be amazed at just how much info is in there. If you don't have one then download it from Winnebago for free. They also have all of the schematics for electricity and water.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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04-30-2014, 03:58 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 139
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We have the same MH. There are only a few plugs that are connected to the inverter. Almost nothing in the kitchen is connected to the inverter because most everything in the kitchen will draw too much current. We have the slide out table and not a dinette. The plugs near the dinette are connected as well as the AC outlet up by the passenger seat.
I think all TV's are 12 volt and will run off the coach batteries but if you use the inverter it will also draw from the coach batteries. I tried to make a cup of coffee from the kitchen plug with the converter turned on and it didn't work. The plug down by the slide out table did work. That and the 120 AC outlet at the passenger seat could be used to charge your computer while driving. I also believe that the two 120Volt outlets back by the bed may be attached to the inverter. you could charge a computer or cell phone, IPads etc. Those type of devices are low current draw devices.
Remember that the inverter is converting 12V DC to 120V AC and any device that is trying to heat stuff will draw a lot of current and that will drain the batteries faster.
Having a 1,000 watt inverter isn't really going to power a lot of stuff. It's more of a convenience for a few things. You can charge your phones if you are short of 12-Volt outlets.
To know for sure just turn on your inverter and plug a 120 Volt light bulb into the outlets. If you charge things while you are traveling the alternator will re-charge the coach batteries so it's a win, win situation. It's kind of like the hot water is hot when you get to the CG so you don't have to run the hot water tanks.
TeJay
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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04-30-2014, 08:09 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,460
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Inverter
TonyLee, Just a few notes after reading the above posts.
All of your entertainment devices tv's, DVD, and sat receiver run off 120VAC.
Your inverter does not charge the battery.
Be sure and show your better half how to turn on the inverter so if your are driving and someone wants to watch TV.
Attached below is the drawing showing the rcp's fed by your inverter.
__________________
Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
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05-01-2014, 11:07 AM
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#11
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KIX
When using your inverter (or anytime) be aware of the SOC (state of charge) of your battery bank. It is harmful to the batteries to discharge below 50%. So when the SOC reaches 50% it's time to recharge the bank.
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Great info to know. Thank you, Tony.
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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05-01-2014, 11:10 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl
If you plan on doing a lot of "Off the grid" or dry camping, then you need to invest in some Solar panels. One 150 Watt would help with keeping the batteries charged but you may need more panels if you plan on boon docking a lot.
Also, read the owners manual, you will be amazed at just how much info is in there. If you don't have one then download it from Winnebago for free. They also have all of the schematics for electricity and water.
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Thank you. We downloaded the manuals. Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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05-01-2014, 11:20 AM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeJay
We have the same MH. There are only a few plugs that are connected to the inverter. Almost nothing in the kitchen is connected to the inverter because most everything in the kitchen will draw too much current. We have the slide out table and not a dinette. The plugs near the dinette are connected as well as the AC outlet up by the passenger seat.
I think all TV's are 12 volt and will run off the coach batteries but if you use the inverter it will also draw from the coach batteries. I tried to make a cup of coffee from the kitchen plug with the converter turned on and it didn't work. The plug down by the slide out table did work. That and the 120 AC outlet at the passenger seat could be used to charge your computer while driving. I also believe that the two 120Volt outlets back by the bed may be attached to the inverter. you could charge a computer or cell phone, IPads etc. Those type of devices are low current draw devices.
Remember that the inverter is converting 12V DC to 120V AC and any device that is trying to heat stuff will draw a lot of current and that will drain the batteries faster.
Having a 1,000 watt inverter isn't really going to power a lot of stuff. It's more of a convenience for a few things. You can charge your phones if you are short of 12-Volt outlets.
To know for sure just turn on your inverter and plug a 120 Volt light bulb into the outlets. If you charge things while you are traveling the alternator will re-charge the coach batteries so it's a win, win situation. It's kind of like the hot water is hot when you get to the CG so you don't have to run the hot water tanks.
TeJay
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I did not know that certain items can be used with the inverter. Thank you, for sharing this valuable info. Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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05-01-2014, 11:22 AM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grtharris
TonyLee, Just a few notes after reading the above posts.
All of your entertainment devices tv's, DVD, and sat receiver run off 120VAC.
Your inverter does not charge the battery.
Be sure and show your better half how to turn on the inverter so if your are driving and someone wants to watch TV.
Attached below is the drawing showing the rcp's fed by your inverter.
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Great info to know. Thank you for sharing. Tony
__________________
Always in Motion, Tony, Lee, Samantha, Pebbles, Holly, Barney, and Betty
2014 Winnebago Vista 30T
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