Electrical Components

[exav8tr]

As I have stated before, I am electrically ungifted and need some help.

1. I know what an autoformer does and it is a good thing.

2. I know what a surge protector is and it is a good thing.

3. I know a converter changes AC power to DC power to operate DC equipment on board.

4. I know that an inverter changes DC power to AC power.

What I am having problems with is the correlation of the two power sources and in a 2006 3400 RL is there an inverter installed? Do I just plug sensitive equipment into inverters? Where do I get the "Clean" power from so as not to burn out equipment? Do I need to buy an inverter also?

If this is a problem industry wide, then why doesn't the RV industry protect us? (I know, I will have to ask them that question).

I am happy to do my own reading if someone can direct me to a website or if any of you electricians would like to help me out I would welcome the assistance.

[JH Sechelt]

Hi Phil,

I doubt that there is a inverter installed in your trailer if you did not order it with one. I have one, so we can watch TV or the VCR when we stop for a night at a casino parking lot or at a wal-mart parking lot, while traveling. I don't think it would be much good to be parked for a week some where and rely on a inverter & batteries to keep us powered up. Ours is 1200w and can run a drip coffee pot with no problems. It's not one of the true sine wave ones, but it works good enough for us. It was only a couple of hundred dollars.

Here it is at Camperword.
1200wInverter

You can buy one of the true sine wave ones but they can run a couple of thousand dollars.

true sinewave inverter

Take care J&D

[Ozz]

John was right on.
Your park's power supplies all the 120 volts needed for your Monte. The converter takes the 'Line' voltage, converts it to 12 volts for all your lighting, furnace,... well, any 12 volt loads you have. This is pretty good clean power, as with many things dealing with electronics, occasionally you will have a small problem, but with the everyday living we do, you should be fine. The Inverter will only come into play if you are somewhere not connected to 'Shore Power' Or park power.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by JH Sechelt

Hi Phil,

I doubt that there is a inverter installed in your trailer if you did not order it with one. I have one, so we can watch TV or the VCR when we stop for a night at a casino parking lot or at a wal-mart parking lot, while traveling. I don't think it would be much good to be parked for a week some where and rely on a inverter & batteries to keep us powered up. Ours is 1200w and can run a drip coffee pot with no problems. It's not one of the true sine wave ones, but it works good enough for us. It was only a couple of hundred dollars.

Here it is at Camperword.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...rs/prodID=4421

You can buy one of the true sine wave ones but they can run a couple of thousand dollars.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...e/skunum=22149

Take care J&D

You're right about no inverter being installed. It's possible, I think, to have one installed before you receive it from the manufacturer. I'm not sure. We had ours installed after market.

I note that you have two rather long URLs in this message. Is it possible to shorten them? They are causing readers to have to scroll to read any posting on this page. Just a matter of desire, not having to scroll.

Orv

[JH Sechelt]

Thanks Orv,

It took awhile, but RVwheels showed me how to shorten it so I did. Now can I remember it for the next time???

J&D