Ron ap Rhys
New member
We picked up a 252RL back on 4/27. Have had it out on one overnighter, just to test the systems and all out (yes, we did a thorough pre-buy inspection, but that doesn't take the place of running it for a night prior to any real camping). Some of the changes we've made already:
Next on the list are three bigger projects that I'm starting into are power-related.
- The stock mattress leaves much to be desired, so that was replaced with one from RV Mattress. It's their 8" model and we'll have to see how that goes, but it's going to be an improvement over stock.
- Permanently mounted a soundbar under the TV, along with a subwoofer that bluetooths to the soundbar. The sub is permanently mounted under the dining room table via some L-brackets. It's out of the way and seems to work well.
- My wife has mounted various brackets and things for towels, toiletries, and the like.
- I used some foam to make a safe liquor storage area for the bottles in a cabinet behind the TV. This way the bottles are upright, won't touch each other, and won't get knocked around during travels.
- I did add in one additional solar panel.
Next on the list are three bigger projects that I'm starting into are power-related.
- We've picked up a 3,000W Renogy inverter that I'm going to wire in. I've found the inverter prep wiring easy enough but have two questions on that:
- I see what appear 2 hot, 2 neutral, and 2 ground wires coming out.
- Anyone know why I've got two wires? Secondly, is it as simple as running a 3rd wire from those to the inverter and I'm done (at least with that side)? I'm comfortable on the battery side of things, just wondering on AC output side.
- Does anyone know if their pre-wiring causes the converter to shut off or will we need to kill that breaker every time we turn the inverter on? If that's the case, I think I'll want to put a transfer switch in there to automate that.
- I see what appear 2 hot, 2 neutral, and 2 ground wires coming out.
- Right now I've got two Renogy LiFePo 100ah batteries up on the tongue, replacing the stock wet cell. My plan is to eventually have 4 of them so we can run the AC unit for a bit when off grid. Because of this, I'd like to move the batteries inside the unit and place them in the storage under the bed. That way temperature doesn't become a problem and it'll make it easier for me to work on things. I think I've heard of folks doing this, so does anyone have any pics and/or a wiring diagram that I can see?
- One annoyance I discovered when switching to the two battery set up is that Alliance doesn't have a solid unbroken wire running from wherever in the trailer to the battery. It runs out to near the battery and they've crimped an extender on that's got the battery connectors on it.
- I'm asking about this because, since I've got to do some wiring to get the inverter connected to the batteries, it seems like a good idea to also move the batteries and install the inverter all at one time.
- Lastly, I'm going to hardwire in a surge protector. Nothing too fancy there, just wiring it in under the dining room seat where the current breakerbox sits.
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