Recreational vehicles can be a home away from home if it has essential facilities like lightings, where you can charge your phone and play music comfortably. You may decide to use a power generator, but it is expensive and noisy. The only cheapest option is an inverter; knowing how to install a power inverter in a camper can enable you to get electricity right in the RV.
Before installation, you need to understand that these inverters exist in different sizes, i.e., large and small. Whereby, larger ones can power up appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, and televisions.
On the other hand, small inverters are suitable for tasks like charging radios and mobile phones. Therefore let us see how you can equip your RV with a power inverter.
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How To Install A Power Inverter In A Camper Step By Steps Guide?
Before we get into the installation process, it is good to understand that installation differs based on the inverter's size with you. Smaller ones don't require any wiring while larger units need.
Also, there are some equipment and materials that you must have. They include; an appropriate inverter, wire cutters, electric wires, screwdrivers, utility knife, wrench, zip ties, and electric tape.
Step 1: Choose A Perfect Place To Set The Inverter
Before you do anything, you need to look for a suitable to install the appliance in your recreational vehicle. Sometimes you may already have an existing power inverter. Just replace it with the new one unless you want to change the installation place.
Under this step, you need to choose the right place where the occurrence of accidents is minimal. So, try as much as possible to avoid areas like beneath the foot, heat source, traffic places, etc.
Install your inverter in an open place with smooth air circulation; avoid setting it up in areas with flammable items. Also, you need to ensure that the inverter is close to the associated battery. This is a proper distancing to reduce voltage loss.
Step 2: Fastening Your Power Inverter In The Place
Now that you have a suitable place for inverter installation, the next step is to secure the device in place. Some people avoid this step and end up with unnecessary accidents and complications.
Therefore, you need to understand electronic components in the power inverter are delicate. Suffering from a concussion should be your portion and option.
I think this is the exact reason why manufacturers produce inverters with already drilled holes. These holes help you mount the device easily.
If you are careful while fastening, the unit will be tight in the place, and it will not feel shaky or fall due to your daily movements in the RV.
These pre-drilled holes, especially smaller units, accept screws while larger ones use lag bolts. However, sometimes these items don't come with fasteners, so it is advisable to inspect the item before buying. If you experience such issues, look for some pins from an electronic shop or seek help from an expert.
Step 3: Wiring The Power Inverter
After you are through with the above two steps, take a pause and get ready for wiring. This step is not a piece of cake like the above ones; it needs a lot of concentration. Wiring determines how your RV will get a smooth flow of power from the newly installed inverter.
Wiring starts from connecting the inverter directly to its battery. An important note to take is that the battery should be independent and not utilized by the car. It is wise to get a solar storm and connect it to the solar panel for recharging during the day.
Sometimes you may fail to understand the wiring process; check on the user manual for comprehensive information. The manual will guide you on the appropriate circuit protection and cable sizes for wiring.
Generally, the most common electric wire gauge associated with this wiring is a 4-gauge cable and a circuit breaker of about 150 amps. Sometimes you may also use a fuse when installing a 1000W inverter.
There are different methods that you can employ for wiring. But the simplest one is to install a 30-amp outlet socket. Your RV gets power when you plug its power extension into the outlet socket.
This is the elegant method you need to connect the inverter directly to the distribution box of your recreational vehicle through a transfer switch. It then automatically selects shore power or inverter power, or generator.
Step 4: Confirming Power Flow
Now that you are through with wiring, before patting yourself at the back, make sure the wiring transports electricity.
Don't be confident to do earthing or grounding before you confirm the presence of electricity in the cables. You may burn your Recreational vehicle when there is a fault in the wiring.
Therefore, take your appropriate tester and confirm to be sure, easing to believe. If there is power flow in the cables, go on to the final step, which is grounding.
Step 5: Grounding
This is the final stage of power inverter installation. Here it would help if you used a 12 volts ground cable. Connect it to any ground connection or attach it to the vehicle's chassis bolt.
Ensure that the place you choose to connect your grounding cable is in good working condition.
Remember to use a gauze cable of the same size as that of the supply cable.
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Conclusion
Making this article useful will help you understand how to install a power inverter in a camper. This installation process is simple but tricky, especially if you know nothing about wiring. But, this article should equip you with precise ways to do it yourself.
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