camper inverter

[SRehberg]

We have a Lance 11. 6' camper and as most space is a premium. We installed a couple of solar panels on the roof to recharge the batteries when dry camping and there is a genset onboard. We hate to use the genset due to the closeness of other campers so we wanted to add a 700-1000w. inverter for operating a coffee grinder and a small drip coffee maker. The load of the coffee maker is 600 watts so that means I'm looking at roughly 50 amps @ 12Volts. That eliminates a cigerette plug power source. The batteries are in the rear of the camper. What I proposed to do was to install a outlet (properly sized) with appropriate overcurrent protection between it and the batteries. Then we could plug it in for the few minutes we needed it to operate the coffee pot to get that early morning caffiene hit I know there are some creative individuals on this site and wondered how others had solved the inverter issue in their cabover campers when space is so limited. Thanks.

 

[AKAMAC]

AIMS Power Pure Sine Wave Inverter PWRI200012S - eBay (item 280207946852 end time Mar-17-08 09:51:19 PDT)



If you go with a unit like this, then mounting as close to the battery box as possible with ventilation is required. Does you camper have rear side storage that would work?

 

[mberry]

I have an idea, or two, for you.

Pre-grind your coffe at home or during the day prior, when operating the genset won't be as obtrusive to your neighbors.

We purchased a Coleman drip coffee maker that gets its heat from a burner on the stove. We haven't tried it yet since it's going to be a while before we can go camping again so I do not know how well it works, if at all. I know my wife doesn't like the coffee from the percolator type coffee pots so we figured we would try it. I don't drink coffee anyway so it doesn't affect me too much.

Again, these are just suggestions/options for you to consider rather than spending the money for an inverter and all the labor.

 

[SRehberg]

AKAMAC, there is no area in the rear to mount an inverter especially a large one as shown. The disadvantages of a camper is the limited space so a location to mount it is frustrating. The mfg. is really good about using every nook and cranny for "stuff". LOL



MBerry I appreciate the ideas and the pre-grind has been suggested to the "boss" if you know what I mean. IF there's one thing she's adamant about it's coffee! We have only tried the percolator pots and don't have any experience with the burner drip models. Is that by Coleman?



Thanks

 

[Grizzly]

We had a 11' 3" Lance with the extended cab-over, model #945 and with an onboard 3400W Generac. We faced the same situation. We carried two coffee makers, an electric drip machine and a stove percolator. Although we preferred the drip machine coffee, but in a pinch as you described we made due with the percolator to satisfy our caffeine addiction. We also pre-grind our coffee beans or grin when we could. Our Lance, 1998 model, only had provisions for one battery, so we never oped for a larger then 300W inverter.



Your right, for as large as an 11' plus camper is, it is still cramped for space, especially on a two month long trip to Alaska. That's why after 10 years we sold it and purchased a 27' 5er with two slide outs. I must say it was a great camper, but a little claustrophobic at times.

 

[The patriot]

Dont they make a hand grinder for the coffee? It would seem to me that this can be done being the proliferation of pepper grinders. Maybe a pepper grinder can be used?

I'm not a coffee conniseur (I use Folgers coffee bags), so please excuse me if this is a coffee fo-pa. :-laf

 

[DonTX]

Go with the inverter. I have had an inverter in every RV I have owned since they were invented. Not only can I make coffee like I want, I also have 120v for anything else I may need it for. On my current 5er I mounted it under the bathroom sink in the cabinet, since that was close to the batteries. Look for a cabinet close the the batteries, then hard wire it to the batteries, flip the switch when you need to use it.

 

[RCook]

If you can handle pre-ground coffee, the simple way to make coffee w/o 120V power is a teakettle and a drip filter cone, pouring into a thermos carafe. We've been doing this w/ our trailer and boat for 20 years - makes great coffee.

 

[JFaughn]

Need a lot more info , what wattage are the panels ?
What about the facts of the batteries , 6v -12v , brand , deep cycle , how far from batteries do you think you want to mount inverter ?
Its just simple math to figure all out .
You should have a charge controller to keep from ruining the batteries .

 

[Bill Stockard]

We have a Lance 11. 6' camper and as most space is a premium. We installed a couple of solar panels on the roof to recharge the batteries when dry camping and there is a genset onboard. We hate to use the genset due to the closeness of other campers so we wanted to add a 700-1000w. inverter for operating a coffee grinder and a small drip coffee maker. The load of the coffee maker is 600 watts so that means I'm looking at roughly 50 amps @ 12Volts. That eliminates a cigerette plug power source. The batteries are in the rear of the camper. What I proposed to do was to install a outlet (properly sized) with appropriate overcurrent protection between it and the batteries. Then we could plug it in for the few minutes we needed it to operate the coffee pot to get that early morning caffiene hit I know there are some creative individuals on this site and wondered how others had solved the inverter issue in their cabover campers when space is so limited. Thanks.

We've been hauling slide in truck campers for over 20 years and had the same problem. If we are in a location where we don't have electric hookups or don't want to run the generator, we use a drip coffee pot that doesn't use electricity. We place ground coffee in the basket and pour boiling water into to the top section of the pot. In a few minutes, we have good drip coffee. We can keep the coffee hot on the stove burner.



Bill

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the great replies. The camper has two deep cycle 12 v. batteries in the rear. There are two 80 watt solar panels going through a Morningstar controller fused at 20 amps. On a good day we're looking at 10 amps of output/hr. If we use the drip maker pulling 50 amps/hr and it takes 10 mins to brew, we have effectively only used 8+ amp/hrs so the panels more than make up for the draw and other parasitic loads during the day. Adjacent to the rear is the bath, as well as a shelved small closet and a small shallow pantry. The problem with a camper is the ability to run wiring forward, as unlike a trailer there is no provision to run wires underneath the rig; sides maybe. The rear of the camper is TIGHT for space so that's why I was thinking a plug in. We tried the stove top drip (Myleta sp) but it seemed easier to have a 4 cup drip that took the same amount of room. We haven't seen any coffee bean hand grinders but will definitely look. The boss has gotten addicted to freshly ground, drip.



We may have to downsize our expectations unless I can see a spot to install an inverter even if temporary.



We've thought about sizing back to a 5th wheel as the camper seems a little small for extended trips even with a dinette slide. It's a 2005 1191 Lance so the truck knows it has a load but handles it well.



Thanks everyone, it is appreciated!

 

[CRuth]

I have the coleman drip coffee maker. Its slower than a 110 machine. Works well on propane, my white gas stove was a little too hot for it. Too bulky though. I'm going back to a percolator to save space. I can suffer through lousy coffee while I'm camping. A little baileys usually fixes the coffee right up anyways :-laf

 

[SRehberg]

I understand about bulk and dragging things along. As we've gotten older the creature comforts have become a nicety so I am trying to accomodate. When I was young I could toss a sleeping bag on the ground but now I'd need paramedics if I did that. I figure if I can give the wife a little enjoyment what the heck, so we will start by looking for a hand grinder and see where we go from there.

 

[MAleshire]

One other suggestion you might consider. I love coffee and have brewed it about every way imaginable from boiled cowboy to fancy machines. We have a generator, but when I get up in the morning I'm not tolerable to be around until I've had a couple cups of coffee--I don't want to even screw around with a generator or listen to the noise. I'd recommend trying a coffee press and taking long ground coffee, although you can get a battery operated coffee grinder. With the press all you need is boiling water and ground coffee for a fine cup of brew. A little Yukon Jack is also nice.



Skip

 

[EEdmondson]

the simple way to make coffee w/o 120V power is a teakettle and a drip filter cone, pouring into a thermos carafe. We've been doing this w/ our trailer and boat for 20 years - makes great coffee.

An electric coffee grinder only uses 100 to 150 watts. We turn on the inverter for the short time it takes to grind the coffee and we make coffee exactly as above. Leave the electric coffee maker at home. I assume you already carry a tea kettle (I got a smaller one) so the cone, paper filters and carafe is all you carry. If space and weight is a priority, use the small cones and filters and make coffee directly into your (insulated) cup(s). We used to do that when I had a camper.

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks again for the thoughts, but I have to claim ignorance with the coffee press. The whole idea of the inverter was to be able to try and wake up while the coffee made itself, not having to stand there pouring boiling water. I know this sounds lazy but I can barely hit my butt with both hands when first up, so the less I have to do the better. With Yukon Jack in the brew, I probably could care less after a cup or two of how it had been made



Back to the original issue, does the inverter seem to work out if I can make one work? The generator is nice but annoying to adjacent campers who are trying to wake up w/o listening to such noise as well and we don't care much for the noise. To bad the genset isn't as quiet as a Honda 2000, those things are quiet.

 

[DCaswell]

Coffee press is the way to go and it makes really great coffee if you use high quality beans. Sometimes also called a french press & come in sizes from 2 to 10 cup in glass & stainless steel. Available in better kitchen stores.

 

[boatpuller]

Without seeing your camper in the truck I on't know if this would work, but usually there is some room under the camper sides behind the wheel wells of the truck bed, I know the inverter would be outside but it would be protected from the weather so shouldn't be a problem. Just thought I would throw that out as another idea for you. With your batteries in the back you wouldn't need to run much wire for the DC and then you could run to an AC outlet anywhere you wanted.

 

[DonTX]

That is exactly my problem, until I get a couple cups of coffee, I don't want to mess with ANYTHING!. I can put the coffee stuff together the night before, and flipping one switch is all I have to do. I don't even do that if I am overnighting in a truck stop or next to a cafe.

Thanks again for the thoughts, but I have to claim ignorance with the coffee press. The whole idea of the inverter was to be able to try and wake up while the coffee made itself, not having to stand there pouring boiling water. I know this sounds lazy but I can barely hit my butt with both hands when first up, so the less I have to do the better. With Yukon Jack in the brew, I probably could care less after a cup or two of how it had been made



Back to the original issue, does the inverter seem to work out if I can make one work? The generator is nice but annoying to adjacent campers who are trying to wake up w/o listening to such noise as well and we don't care much for the noise. To bad the genset isn't as quiet as a Honda 2000, those things are quiet.

 

[SRehberg]

I'll have to check out one of the presses but it sounds like it still requires the boiling of water then attending to it. Again, it's not that we're lazy, it's just nice to have the amenities if you can.



I was looking at the camper and the sides are open but close. The rear truck bed where the tailgate mounts is about two fingers width away from the camper side so that area is out. If I mount it on the underside of the rear hangover area, then I think water splash is an issue. Man they don't make it easy. 5th wheel? :-laf