Inverter 

Introduction

Our System

Solar Panels

Batteries

12v Battery Charger

120v AC Power Inverter

Catalytic Heaters

Display Panels

Wiring

Installation

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The park's power in Yellowstone went out several times but our TV and computers kept on running.
The inverter converts power from the 12 volt batteries to 120 volt AC power.

Some inverters produce a sine wave others create a square or modified square wave.

Without the sine wave some hand-tool battery chargers may be damaged, laser printers may print light background lines, TVs may have some picture interference.

A digital display of the power load is handy.  With it you'll know how much power is being used (even when everything is off.) 

TVs, VCRs, satellite receivers, and PC monitors all consume power even when turned off.  Adding a switched power strip eliminates these needless power drains. 

Our electronic equipment, turned off but plugged in, uses 10 amps DC or 120 amp-hours per day.  That's about 60% of the battery's usable capacity.
 

We purchased our inverter, charger and panels from RV Solar located in Redmond Oregon and Quartzsite Arizona
We selected the Prosine 1800 made by Statpower.  I was attracted to this unit because of the small size and light weight.  Originally, I was looking at 2400 watt units with built-in chargers.  Now I realize 1800 watts is all we need.

If both Dish TVs, the microwave oven and the hair drier are on, we may require more than 1800 watts.  We don't need all of this simultaneously. 
Replacing the furnace in the space under the oven with a catalytic propane heater, made room for the inverter. The solid panel below the stove is replaced with a louvered panel, (not shown), for increased air flow to ensure maximum cooling. 

A remote panel allows easy monitoring of the power status and is convenient for turning the inverter on or off.  Also, don't forget to turn off the power strips connected to TV's etc.

May 18th, 2000 and we are finally ready for Y2K

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