Overwhelmed by electrical system

[Raff]

The PD 4045 is great but the instructions suck. I found this diagram online and it helped sort out some of my confusion. I don't have the sound system etc that's on this drawing but you can use it to get a clearer idea of what you're trying to design. There' s a few pics on my Boler thread of my install. When I was finished I plugged it in and turned on each breaker and installed each fuse one at a time. The trailer didn't burst into flames and everything worked. No one was more surprised than me. If you have any questions I'll offer what limited knowledge I have.


As for the inverter question in cars. My Dodge Journey has a built in inverter and outlet. I'm not sure how many watts it'll deliver but it has run the bosses curling iron in an emergency.



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[Raff]

Forgot to mention. In the Boler I installed a 12 volt cigarette lighter type plug that has a double USB outlet and one of my 120 plugs has two USB outlets. My logic was that I will now be able to charge a phone or any USB powered item from either battery power or shore power.




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[Steve L.]

My last two Ford Flexes (Flexii?) have had a 100w 120vAC plug next to a 12vDC (120 watt or 10 amp) accessory outlet.

If you only have a battery for a source of power (like a car or trailer) and you need AC, then you need an inverter (which inverts 12vDC to 120vAC)

If you only have a battery for a source of power (like a car or trailer) and you need DC then an accessory outlet is all you need. You're just passing along the battery's 12v.

If you only have one of the two types of outlets (it doesn't matter which) they make different devices that will plug into one and output the other. That is, a device that plugs into 12vDV and output 120vAC and a different device that plugs into 120vAC and outputs 12vDC.

[steve dunham]

The code requires that you label /identify the line and neutral conductors at a panel . Brady and T&B make self adhering wire markers for this purpose . Marking your DC wire with + & - and circuit #s makes trouble shooting in the future much easier . Plus making an accurate ,legible panel circuit directory is a code requirement and again a big help in the future . Counting on remembering exactly how you wired something several years down the road does not usually work

[boley]

Originally Posted by morgynm

Lol! We don't use a car one. Our cars have built in AC plugs which I now assume have built in inverters.

Anyhoo... at least my brain is only sizzling a bit now. Not fried like it was earlier.

I wish I could hire someone to walk through it with me. I used to have an appliance repair guy who would let me peek over his shoulder and would explain everything as he worked.


Morgyn
1981 13' Boler
Nova Scotia

Morgyn,

I will be working on installing the same power center this weekend in my Casita. The following is a collection of links and guides that I have read through in preparation for this project. I started with almost zero knowledge and now feel somewhat confident.


Power Center: Mighty Mini All-In-One System AC/DC Power Distribution Panel and Inteli-Power Converter

Install threads: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...5+installation
Airstream power center install

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6u_24L0jfc

Good install thread Total Electrical Upgrade • Class B RV and Camper Van Discussion Forum

Basic boat/camper Electrical videos and discussion http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ics-56117.html

Electrical Systems - Part 1 - YouTube

RV electric in simple terms RV Electrical Systems
Great write up The Desert Dawg Desert Dawg
12 Volt Side of Life The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
Car and Deep Cycle Battery FAQ, Battery Manufacturers and Brand Names List, and
State of charge http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/voltchart1.gif

Marks RV Garage Episode Guide Vintage Trailer Restoration - 17 Episodes on DVD
Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOCz...smZ2orMbBYO7oh

The folks over at the TnTT forums are installing a ton of these power centers. There are a large number of threads linked above via the Google link.

This is one of the better info threads I found. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=59874
The 3 images posted by "absolutsnwbrdr" are awesome (the image Raff posted is one of them). I would suggest ignoring all posts by Esteban (Steve) because he is VERY confused throughout the thread. Although the responses others provide to straighten him out are fairly educational.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Steve L.

My last two Ford Flexes (Flexii?) have had a 100w 120vAC plug next to a 12vDC (120 watt or 10 amp) accessory outlet.

Toyota offers a 400W AC outlet option in the rear of the pickup beds; it will run a small cooler, tools, - and a small air compressor (yay!)

Charlie Y

[frank_a]

I'm almost posi9tive your car has a 12V charger set up for your cell Morgyn. Are you saying it has regular 110/120V plugs like in your house? That would be very unusual. Trust me, you do NOT need an inverter!

By the way, there are two versions of the 4045, on that has 3 places for breakers, one that has 4. You will use the one to the left for you main breaker (maybe 30 amp), the middle one and one to the right 15 amp for 110V and 12V stuff (one for each). If you have 4 breakers, you could use the extra one for a big 110V power load, like a microwave or AC (or both, just can't run them together usually). I have 4 positions with mine, and have AC and a microwave, and still have a spare circuit breaker space.

Best of luck to ya!

Frank

[morgynm]

Apparently it has both. I've never used or really noticed the 12v socket as the other is my life saver!

Button to turn the power on to the socket:

And the very neglected cigarette lighter socket.

And it looks like my car needs a good dusting now.

And thanks, folks, for all the help! It should be fun to see how it all turns out! Looking forward to the challenge now.


Morgyn
1981 13' Boler
Nova Scotia

[frank_a]

[QUOTE=morgynm;476178]Apparently it has both. I've never used or really noticed the 12v socket as the other is my life saver! [QUOTE]

Boy, even at my advanced age, ya learn something new every day! When did they start putting AC outlets in vehicles?!? Obviously somebody did. Amazing.

Frank

[morgynm]

Just checked the tracking on it and it's on track to be delivered tomorrow! Drumming my fingers in anticipation now. I'm lucky enough to be able to work part-time so I'll have lots of time to get 'er done!


Morgyn
1981 13' Boler
Nova Scotia

[morgynm]

[QUOTE=frank_a;476179][QUOTE=morgynm;476178]Apparently it has both. I've never used or really noticed the 12v socket as the other is my life saver!

Boy, even at my advanced age, ya learn something new every day! When did they start putting AC outlets in vehicles?!? Obviously somebody did. Amazing.

Frank

Lol! One of my favourite things to say is "if I'm not learning, I might as well be dead".

But, honestly, that feature and the AWD is what kept me with 3 used Vibes over the years. This one is from the last year they were made and I'll be very sad when it goes to the great junkyard in the sky.


Morgyn
1981 13' Boler
Nova Scotia

[frank_a]

Good for you Morgyn. I work full time, but it's a 35 hour/week job, so it gives me lots of spare time. I'm waiting on new darkening window shades (in burgundy) and new aluminum wheels for our ParkLiner. Both should be in this week.

Best of luck with your wiring job. There are some good links in this thread for info and I bet you'll do great!

Frank

[frank_a]

Originally Posted by morgynm

Lol! One of my favourite things to say is "if I'm not learning, I might as well be dead".

But, honestly, that feature and the AWD is what kept me with 3 used Vibes over the years. This one is from the last year they were made and I'll be very sad when it goes to the great junkyard in the sky.

I was sad in general when GM put Pontiac to bed. As a long time car enthusiast, it was heart breaking. One of the coolest cars we ever had was a factory supercharged Grand Prix, maybe 2000 model year? Man o man, what a great car that was, and no comparison models anywhere in the GM lineup. Pontiac made great cars!

Frank

[sarahspins]

Originally Posted by frank_a

Boy, even at my advanced age, ya learn something new every day! When did they start putting AC outlets in vehicles?!? Obviously somebody did. Amazing.

Frank

The first one that I saw was in my 2007 Dodge Caliber that I bought early in 2006 right after production started... every car anyone in my family has bought since then has had one as well.

They are kind of convenient, but of limited usefulness - you only get about 150W of power through the inverter so about all they are good for is charging your phone. Of course a USB adapter for your 12V plug accomplishes the same thing. I like the dual 12W version from scosche, since each port is capable of providing 2.4amps - I can plug in my tablet and my phone and both charge quickly, there's no prioritizing one over the other since most 2 port USB adapters only provide 2.1amps to one, and 1.1 to the other.

[steve dunham]

[QUOTE=frank_a;476179][QUOTE=morgynm;476178]Apparently it has both. I've never used or really noticed the 12v socket as the other is my life saver!

Boy, even at my advanced age, ya learn something new every day! When did they start putting AC outlets in vehicles?!? Obviously somebody did. Amazing.

Frank

At least 4 or 5 years ago . I'm told it is standard equipment on Ram 2500 trucks

[Bob Miller]

My sons Toyota has a built in 120 VAC inverter outlet as well.

That aside, you can buy a decent 400 watt Inverter for less than $100, I think I paid about $60 for a 400 watt Cobra inverter that's tied direct to the coach battery via a 40 amp circuit breaker. Has worked great for over two years for computer charging and running a DVD player, electric shaver etc. As mentioned, most cell phones & tablets can be charged with a plug-in USB adapter that fits into a 12 accessory outlet.