Shopping List for Lithium Battery Upgrade and Inverter/Transfer Switch Install?

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reubenray

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I am wanting to upgrade to either two 100ah lithium batteries or one 200ah lithium battery plus a 2000 watt inverter with transfer switch at the end of this camping season. I have the inverter prep and the orange wire in my pass-through compartment. The battery choices will be determined if I have to remove them (weight) or not and where I have the battery. If I don't have to remove the battery during the winter I will put the one 200ah battery inside the compartment if I can get the current battery cables run into the compartment. If I have to remove the batteries during the winter I will go the two 100ah route and keep the batteries on the tongue. Due to space limitations I want a combo inverter and transfer switch. This will be mounted about 6' from where the orange wiring is.

Any and all comments are welcome. I am hoping to catch some items on sale during the Black Friday sales. I do need to control how much every thing costs. I most likely will do the battery swap first unless I can get a good deal on the inverter/transfer switch.

What exactly is the purpose of having a transfer switch? I do not have a generator with my trailer.
 
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2k inverter can consume a lot of electrons so I would keep the inverter and batteries as close as possible. Less voltage drop and your wallet will be happier. If it was me and the cable runs are short, I would just go with 4/0 cables. Sure, that's overkill, but if we are only talking about a couple feet, I got that kind of money to burn.

If you are looking to build your own cables, the Chinese make a 'good enough' hydraulic crimper that should last as long as you will use it. As a professional mechanic, it's nice to have cheap/good tools for that you rarely use.
 
reubenray said:
I am wanting to upgrade to either two 100ah lithium batteries or one 200ah lithium battery plus a 2000 watt inverter with transfer switch at the end of this camping season. I have the inverter prep and the orange wire in my pass-through compartment. The battery choices will be determined if I have to remove them (weight) or not and where I have the battery. If I don't have to remove the battery during the winter I will put the one 200ah battery inside the compartment if I can get the current battery cables run into the compartment. If I have to remove the batteries during the winter I will go the two 100ah route and keep the batteries on the tongue. Due to space limitations I want a combo inverter and transfer switch. This will be mounted about 6' from where the orange wiring is.

Any and all comments are welcome. I am hoping to catch some items on sale during the Black Friday sales. I do need to control how much every thing costs. I most likely will do the battery swap first unless I can get a good deal on the inverter/transfer switch.

What exactly is the purpose of having a transfer switch? I do not have a generator with my trailer.
Click to expand...

On my 260RD, the orange wire for the inverter prep was in my front compartment. [MENTION=39286]Butcher[/MENTION] is correct, you want your inverter and batteries to be as close as possible. For me, that meant everything went in the front compartment (see my write up here). The transfer switch allows your system to go from inverter to shore power seamlessly. When the shore power comes on, the whole coach draws from there. As far as removing the batteries for winter, the first year I did that (but it got old in a hurry). Last year I switched off my battery bank so no power was going in or out and left the batteries in the coach. This spring I simply turned the battery bank back on. The batteries are fully charged now and ready to go.
 
Soundsailor said:
On my 260RD, the orange wire for the inverter prep was in my front compartment. [MENTION=39286]Butcher[/MENTION] is correct, you want your inverter and batteries to be as close as possible. For me, that meant everything went in the front compartment (see my write up here). The transfer switch allows your system to go from inverter to shore power seamlessly. When the shore power comes on, the whole coach draws from there. As far as removing the batteries for winter, the first year I did that (but it got old in a hurry). Last year I switched off my battery bank so no power was going in or out and left the batteries in the coach. This spring I simply turned the battery bank back on. The batteries are fully charged now and ready to go.
Click to expand...

I have the trailer home and the orange wire will be about 3' to 4' from where I will mount the inverter. If I can get the existing battery cables on the tongue into the compartment the battery will be right beside the inverter. So right now I will need some wire to extend the orange cable wiring to the inverter, an inverter with transfer switch and a 200ah lithium battery. I can disconnect the battery cables during the winter.

But I have a small heater that I used in my wetbay that I could plug into the outlet that is in the compartment. I also have a temperature sensor that would turn the heater on and off with the temperatures. Would this work? I have a 370 watt solar panel with full sun in the storage yard to keep the battery charged.
 
After watching numerous videos of how to install an inverter I will find someone to install it for me. It may be easy for someone with electrical knowledge, but that someone is not me. I do hope to buy the battery and inverter/transfer switch for the install.
 
My inverter does the transfer itself (internally) from shore power to inverter.. You might be better off to upgrade the inverter and not buy the transfer switch. Just saying.



reubenray said:
After watching numerous videos of how to install an inverter I will find someone to install it for me. It may be easy for someone with electrical knowledge, but that someone is not me. I do hope to buy the battery and inverter/transfer switch for the install.
Click to expand...
 
While reading the instructions on installing a PD 2000w inverter there was several concerning comments.

One was that the location of the inverter had to have venting. I plan on having everything in my pass-through storage.

Another one was not to have the inverter close to the battery. I was planning on having the battery right beside the inverter.

The third comment was the built in transfer switch was 30amp. What does this mean? I always plug into 50amp power and my solar controller is 50amp.
 
I am inquiring with some RV dealers to see if they do inverter/transfer switch installs. I would like to know what my options are if possible. I don't want to be over-powered, but I don't want to be under-powered either. I have a 370 watt solar panel and a Pro-Guide AGM battery right now. I would want to be able to watch TV, use the microwave and coffee pot (not at the same time). My 16cf refrigerator is solar powered as well as my lights. What would be the optimum size of lithium battery and inverter for my current setup. I mainly want this as a backup if I lose campground power. I would also use it if I stay overnight at a Walmart or rest area.
 
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reubenray said:
While reading the instructions on installing a PD 2000w inverter there was several concerning comments.

One was that the location of the inverter had to have venting. I plan on having everything in my pass-through storage.

Another one was not to have the inverter close to the battery. I was planning on having the battery right beside the inverter.

The third comment was the built in transfer switch was 30amp. What does this mean? I always plug into 50amp power and my solar controller is 50amp.
Click to expand...

1) Not sure why you'd need venting (unless you have LA batteries). Most likely your front compartment has adequate air flow.
2) This is a real headscratcher. Everything I've read suggests having the inverter as close to the battery as possible to minimize voltage loss due to cable length.
3) If you're planning to power your whole rig, having a 50 Amp transfer switch may be best. We have the "inverter prep" that only powers a small subset of the coach's circuits, so we get by with a 15 Amp transfer switch.
 
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reubenray said:
I am inquiring with some RV dealers to see if they do inverter/transfer switch installs.
Click to expand...

Do yourself a favor and find someone who actually knows how to do it. The dealers I've seen don't really understand your needs and how to meet them.
 
Soundsailor said:
1) Not sure why you'd need venting (unless you have LA batteries). Most likely your front compartment has adequate air flow.
2) This is a real headscratcher. Everything I've read suggests having the inverter as close to the battery as possible to minimize voltage loss due to cable length.
3) If you're planning to power your whole rig, having a 50 Amp transfer switch may be best. We have the "inverter prep" that only powers a small subset of the coach's circuits, so we get by with a 15 Amp transfer switch.
Click to expand...

How would I know what subset of the coach's circuits will be powered by the inverter prep?
 
reubenray said:
How would I know what subset of the coach's circuits will be powered by the inverter prep?
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You could look in the breaker box. A perhaps better way would be to contact GD customer support with your VIN. On my 260RD the inverter powered the GFCI outlets plus the microwave but NOT the air conditioner. But on a recent thread here, someone with a 2024 model said their inverter prep only powered the internal circuits, not the microwave or air conditioner. If all you want is the internal AC outlets, then you'd be all set either way.
 
Soundsailor said:
You could look in the breaker box. A perhaps better way would be to contact GD customer support with your VIN. On my 260RD the inverter powered the GFCI outlets plus the microwave but NOT the air conditioner. But on a recent thread here, someone with a 2024 model said their inverter prep only powered the internal circuits, not the microwave or air conditioner. If all you want is the internal AC outlets, then you'd be all set either way.
Click to expand...

I am not concerned about the A/C, but I would like the microwave. I don't think my solar would power the A/C.
 
It seems like the more I research the more my mind gets muddled. I checked on some local RV forums for some dealers that install inverters and got several recommendations. My brother suggested to just get a 2000 watt inverter generator instead. I thought about it, but I would have to pack it and gas in my truck which is normally full.
 
reubenray said:
It seems like the more I research the more my mind gets muddled. I checked on some local RV forums for some dealers that install inverters and got several recommendations. My brother suggested to just get a 2000 watt inverter generator instead. I thought about it, but I would have to pack it and gas in my truck which is normally full.
Click to expand...

You're on the right track, already asking the right questions. I'd just hate to see you taken for a ride by an RV dealer that has one system they sell and they always install it the same way. Find someone who will be on your side, listen to you, and give you a system that is matched to your needs (not their bottom line).
 
For battery cables I get mine from Batterycablesusa.com they have lots of options for you and fast shipping. Made in the USA.
 
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