Recently purchased a 2024 Avenue 29RL with solar package and inverter prep. It seems pretty strait forward connecting into the pre wired box located in the front storage compartment. Grand Design installs a loop with a two breaker configuration, Alliance only has single breaker. I want to install an auto throw over switch to isolate the inverter when hooked to generator or shore power. Has anyone installed their own inverter and how did you set yours up?
Avenue 29RL inverter installation
- Thread starter DET29RL
- Start date
Ramjetr1960
Member
Hi...I'm going to do the same thing eventually
Did see the inverter prep in mine...looks like the Renogy 2000 watt inverter is a popular one...
Roger
Running watts on the microwave was approx 1400 watts on high. As far as anything special I really don't know as my son did the wiring for me and when done we unplugged and tried everything Inc AC (short time only with soft start also) and it all worked correctly. I can ask him and get back to but I'm out of town for a week. Sorry.
All, I went with Li Time batteries and inverter. For now I have installed two 100Ah smart batteries and 3000W inverter. I will not use the 3000W inverter to its full potential, but was on few dollars more than a 2000W. I chose these batteries for there size Group 24 and I can manage them via Bluetooth on my phone. Both batteries fit nicely in the current battery box. I wish the inverter had the Bluetooth capabilities. One of the downfalls of installing a larger inverter though is you need to upsize your wire. I used 1/0 welding cable which should handle anything I am ever going to do.
am still waiting on an auto transfer switch to complete my install. One it the question that hope Alliance can answer for me, is do you need to shut off the converter when using an inverter. I think you do because the inverter is feeding the converter and the converter is charging batteries with your battery? Not very efficient and may be the cause of some not being able to run your microwave. Your converter is a load on the battery when you have 120v power. Short of taking the breaker panel out to see how Alliance wired the inverter circuit, one can only assume that when you have 120v power your converter is charging the battery(s)? Once I get my auto transfer switch installed I can test this with battery draw and isolating the converter, but Alliance should be able to answer this for me?
am still waiting on an auto transfer switch to complete my install. One it the question that hope Alliance can answer for me, is do you need to shut off the converter when using an inverter. I think you do because the inverter is feeding the converter and the converter is charging batteries with your battery? Not very efficient and may be the cause of some not being able to run your microwave. Your converter is a load on the battery when you have 120v power. Short of taking the breaker panel out to see how Alliance wired the inverter circuit, one can only assume that when you have 120v power your converter is charging the battery(s)? Once I get my auto transfer switch installed I can test this with battery draw and isolating the converter, but Alliance should be able to answer this for me?
What did they install for battery(s)? Does it trip anything when you try to start the microwave? Do you have anything else plugged in and running? A 2000W inverter should run a microwave with nothing else running. This is one of the reasons I chose to go up to 3000W inverter.
May be popular, but do some research on other brands. There is some expense with going to a larger inverter. But, I think the advantages are worth the extra $$$.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Lantley,
You might want to investigate your Microwave electrical specs and compare to your inverter specs. The microwave would have a higher draw at first and then it would stabilize. Your inverter would also have a surge rating and a steady draw rating.
Your kitchen lights or most other standard lighting in your coach would be 12v, so unless the draw is so high reducing the battery voltage causing the inverter to trip on low battery voltage instead of high amp draw, I wouldn’t think turning the lights off would provide any benefit. Without knowing all the specifics, I certainly could be wrong, so there is no harm on trying to see what happens.
Best regards!
For what it's worth we were able to run our microwave for approx 5 min on the highest setting with some lights on in our 29 RL on inverter only with no issues. As I said earlier I am not very technical and my son did all the wiring. He put a placard on the panel that says "converter on, inverter off" just to remind me.
Yes I'm not sure what impact lights would have on microwave use. I agree because they are 12 volt impact should be minimal.
It is a 1500 watt microwave and a 2000 watt inverter. I figured the inverter will have some loss and not deliver full 2000 watts.
Also the inverter energizes TV circuits, although TV's are not on, there is some loss there.
It's obvious I'm on the edge of the inverter ratings. Not trying to bake a cake. But i could heat up leftovers along the roadside I'd be a happy camper
It is a 1500 watt microwave and a 2000 watt inverter. I figured the inverter will have some loss and not deliver full 2000 watts.
Also the inverter energizes TV circuits, although TV's are not on, there is some loss there.
It's obvious I'm on the edge of the inverter ratings. Not trying to bake a cake. But i could heat up leftovers along the roadside I'd be a happy camper
BryanValRox
Elite Member
So, it would appear the specs work out and the inverter should be able to run the microwave.
Having said that it might be time to look elsewhere.
1. Is the 12 volt battery healthy? Can you load test it? Are the cells filled if a lead acid flooded type?
2. What is the 12 volt battery rating, does it have the necessary capacity?
3. Are the inverter input and output cable connections clean and tight?(Battery connection as well)
4. Are the inverter input and output cables the proper sizes based on load and length to prevent voltage drop?
5. Are transfer switch connections clean and tight?
I am making the assumption you have no issues running the microwave on Shore power.
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You raise an interesting point First step is to simply make sure all connections are tight. The microwave was not wired into the inverter circuit from the start. I ran a inverter outlet for the microwave. Maybe the factory already knew the inverter would not support my microwave.
I will check the gauge of the wiring as well.
I will check the gauge of the wiring as well.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
I checked the Renogy site earlier today, the 2000 watt inverter has a surge or intermittent rating of 4000 watts and a continuous rating of 2000 watts. So it should be able to run a 1500 watt microwave without any issue, assuming the points I made earlier are in order.( for how long is a function of battery capacity)
You might head to the site and take a look at the installation manual to help you ensure things are in order.
Are you able to supply addition details or pictures on how you ran the outlet and an overview of your circuit design?
My spider senses are leaning towards a voltage drop issue, due to inadequate wire size(AC or DC) or a marginal battery health or capacity issue. Keep us posted on your findings!
First off thanks for your help. I do appreciate you helping sort this out.
The TV circuit is already ran off the inverter, So I simply ran an outlet off the TV circuit and plugged the microwave into it with a 14 gauge cord. Microwave ran for about 15 seconds and then the circuit tripped.
I assumed I overloaded the inverter because it reset itself and the power can back on.
This is the factory OEM solar, inverter package so I;m hoping things are wired properly but at this point I need to investigate.
The TV circuit is already ran off the inverter, So I simply ran an outlet off the TV circuit and plugged the microwave into it with a 14 gauge cord. Microwave ran for about 15 seconds and then the circuit tripped.
I assumed I overloaded the inverter because it reset itself and the power can back on.
This is the factory OEM solar, inverter package so I;m hoping things are wired properly but at this point I need to investigate.
Upon further review your first suspicion was correct. Looks like it was a loose connection. This has been a slow process on my part.
When the inverter initially shut down it was dark out and late so I never tried to check things out.
However today I had a chance and immediately found the battery cables a bit loose. I snugged down everything really tight and........ WA-LA. My microwave ran at full power for 2 minutes. It would have ran longer that is just when I turned it off. Before I ran at My remote display indicated the inverter was producing 1420 watts or so. Voltage was at 12.2 while the micro was on and 13.3 when it was off.
When the inverter initially shut down it was dark out and late so I never tried to check things out.
However today I had a chance and immediately found the battery cables a bit loose. I snugged down everything really tight and........ WA-LA. My microwave ran at full power for 2 minutes. It would have ran longer that is just when I turned it off. Before I ran at My remote display indicated the inverter was producing 1420 watts or so. Voltage was at 12.2 while the micro was on and 13.3 when it was off.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Great to hear you have it worked out!
Enjoy those left overs while stopped at the rest area!!😂
