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C312BHK
Jan 26, 2018 15:41:04 GMT -5
Post by danapop on Jan 26, 2018 15:41:04 GMT -5
Hi - I have been reading about a lot of electrical systems in the RV world. I am wondering if all these modern units come with power converters build in to run electrical while off grid? Thinking plugs mostly.
If not, I will get one and install it.
We cant pick-up the unit until may and I wish I could find some photos of the battery house and get some measurements so I can start planning...
Also any suggestions for a battery status monitor that displays draw and charge?
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C312BHK
Jan 28, 2018 13:14:01 GMT -5
Post by Chuck on Jan 28, 2018 13:14:01 GMT -5
danapop I believe you have a converter but it is for your inside lights an to power your furnace an not to run electrical while off grid. Your frig runs off propane when not hooked up to shore power so in most case's I would say you have more or less the power you need except for your TV, toaster, coffee maker etc ... Reading many forms about boon docking since we do not do much of it our-self it sounds as if owners lug along a small generator to provide the necessary electrical power needed ... We we go to tractor shows that are not at a fair grounds that have no power I load up our Honda 6.7 ICS generator ... I can not however run our surge protector off the generator because there is no ground leg unless I stake a ground rod in an hook it to the generator otherwise ai get a fault on the surge protector .... Safe Travels an congrats on your new trailer, don't forget about the kz rally in August near the Kz factory  Chuck |
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C312BHK
Jan 28, 2018 14:21:15 GMT -5
Post by lynnmor on Jan 28, 2018 14:21:15 GMT -5
Chuck, here is a cheap and easy fix: link |
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C312BHK
Jan 28, 2018 16:06:35 GMT -5
Post by Chuck on Jan 28, 2018 16:06:35 GMT -5
Tnxs, easy Perez never thought about that ugh !! Chuck |
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C312BHK
Jan 28, 2018 16:33:37 GMT -5
Post by Edd505 on Jan 28, 2018 16:33:37 GMT -5
Chuck, here is a cheap and easy fix: linkI just love all these little why didn't I think of that simple fixes. |
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C312BHK
Jan 30, 2018 17:01:10 GMT -5
Post by hannahsdad on Jan 30, 2018 17:01:10 GMT -5
OK, so here's a rookie question: Do I need a surge protector ? I was planning on getting a champion 3400W inverter/generator mainly to run the water pump (and maybe the TV). Do I need to rig ups some sort of surge protector like the one in the video ?
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C312BHK
Jan 30, 2018 19:52:57 GMT -5
Post by lynnmor on Jan 30, 2018 19:52:57 GMT -5
A surge protector isn't really a must have item. It does offer some protection and some peace of mind. Most items in a trailer are rather inexpensive and others can be repaired for less than a protector costs. Of course multiple items damaged can add up. The major expense might be a damaged air conditioner from running on low voltage, and that is all that would be of concern to me. If one were to check voltage and polarity with an inexpensive meter, that risk can be minimized. I chose to use an autoformer when in a questionable situation. An autoformer offers some surge protection and automatically boosts low voltage so that one can continue on normally, the expensive protectors simply shut you down. Some folks use both. Now running on a generator there should be no surge risk and low voltage might happen from an overload, but that would kick out a breaker. If you will not be using the air conditioner, a 50 pound 2000 watt generator is plenty. I use a pair of 2000 Hondas that can be paralleled if AC is run.
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C312BHK
Jan 31, 2018 15:10:22 GMT -5
Post by hannahsdad on Jan 31, 2018 15:10:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I mis-spoke in that I was really thinking of it for the AC not the TV (which is why I wanted the 3400W. When I looked a few months ago, the 3400W Champion wasn't that much more than a single 2000W Honda).
I had to look up what an autoformer is ! Boy, they are not cheap ! Peace of mind, might make it worth it though.
Again, thanks for the info.
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C312BHK
Jan 31, 2018 17:09:40 GMT -5
Post by lynnmor on Jan 31, 2018 17:09:40 GMT -5
Yes, the autoformers are high priced. I have been in a number of older campgrounds with low voltage, as low as 99 volts. Often the voltage appears fine and then the weekend folks arrive and fire up the AC's and water heaters overloading the poor campground wiring. At a minimum you should have a digital voltmeter. I have one like THIS that is plugged is where I can see it, and can check for problems when I first plug in. Below 105 volts is harmful to an AC. |
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C312BHK
Feb 1, 2018 11:17:56 GMT -5
Post by hannahsdad on Feb 1, 2018 11:17:56 GMT -5
I see. So you plug that in to check when you first arrive and then periodically plug it in at different times during your stay to check the status ?
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C312BHK
Feb 1, 2018 12:09:39 GMT -5
Post by Chuck on Feb 1, 2018 12:09:39 GMT -5
We had a Progressive Industries HW30C surge protector hard wired into our old 5th wheel. It was plugged into the
work shop in our driveway when it lost a leg on one side of the power plug an burnt the power receiver plug that
goes into the 5th wheel ... It saved my bacon by shutting off the power to the 5th wheel otherwise all the wiring
in the 5th wheel along with a the 5th may have burn't to the ground Ugh ...
I am a firm believe now in Progressive Industries surge protectors an surge protectors in general, do I check
voltages when parking at a camp ground, you bet, an I have asked to move from a spot because of low voltage or
bad ground leg ..
Safe Travels Chuck
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C312BHK
Feb 1, 2018 12:46:12 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by lynnmor on Feb 1, 2018 12:46:12 GMT -5
I see. So you plug that in to check when you first arrive and then periodically plug it in at different times during your stay to check the status ? I leave it plugged in all the time where it can be easily seen. When I first arrive, I check the indicator lights before turning anything on. If voltage is less than ideal, I connect the autoformer. |
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C312BHK
Feb 5, 2018 14:43:28 GMT -5
Post by danapop on Feb 5, 2018 14:43:28 GMT -5
Hello - I am hoping someone with a Connect 312BHK has a picture of the battery house / battery storage. I cannot find one online and I am planning a few mods and dont pick-up our unit until april.
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C312BHK
Feb 5, 2018 16:19:04 GMT -5
Post by lynnmor on Feb 5, 2018 16:19:04 GMT -5
Hello - I am hoping someone with a Connect 312BHK has a picture of the battery house / battery storage. I cannot find one online and I am planning a few mods and dont pick-up our unit until april. The battery usually sits in a plastic battery box behind the propane tanks. Do you have reason to believe that it is elsewhere? I don't know what you are trying to do, but at a minimum be sure that the battery switch disconnects everything with the possible exception of the breakaway switch. Batteries are often a dealer installed item. |
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C312BHK
Feb 6, 2018 11:08:57 GMT -5
Post by danapop on Feb 6, 2018 11:08:57 GMT -5
I want to know how much space I have essentially as I am already planning some electrical mods.
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C312BHK
Feb 6, 2018 13:45:49 GMT -5
Post by Chuck on Feb 6, 2018 13:45:49 GMT -5
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