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Old 04-29-2014, 02:21 AM   #1
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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
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Old 04-29-2014, 08:38 AM   #2
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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.
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Old 04-29-2014, 12:44 PM   #3
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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
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Old 04-29-2014, 01:00 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 04-29-2014, 03:34 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by TonyLee View Post
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
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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Old 04-29-2014, 04:07 PM   #6
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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.
Thank you. We will turn off the inverter when not needed. Tony
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Old 04-29-2014, 04:19 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 04-30-2014, 03:18 PM   #8
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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.
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Old 04-30-2014, 03:58 PM   #9
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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
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Old 04-30-2014, 08:09 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 05-01-2014, 11:07 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by KIX View Post
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.
Great info to know. Thank you, Tony.
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Old 05-01-2014, 11:10 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
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.
Thank you. We downloaded the manuals. Tony
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Old 05-01-2014, 11:20 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by TeJay View Post
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
I did not know that certain items can be used with the inverter. Thank you, for sharing this valuable info. Tony
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Old 05-01-2014, 11:22 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by grtharris View Post
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.
Great info to know. Thank you for sharing. Tony
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