[Archived]

I have more questions now than space to add them. The biggest question is how are the house electrical circuits set up? Do all 120V AC circuits run through the inverter or are there only certain circuits like a refrigerator and outlets run through the inverter? It is troublesome that there is only one inverter, especially if the coach is typical and has things like a microwave, TV refrigerator, outlets, and other loads typically run through an inverter.

I would get rid of the golf cart batteries for certain and at the very least use comparable AH AGM batteries. Lead acid batteries are not only a pain to maintain, they have to be well ventilated or they can create a dangerous situation or corrosion. I would make absolutely certain the inverter battery charging protocols are exactly what is required for the new batteries.

The converter is an unknown and even worse, it sounds as if the previous owner also made changes creating some unknowns. This is a coach that might be very good, but someone needs to do a serious evaluation to learn if over the years changes have been made that left insufficient wire sizes, poorly thought out electrical management or over loaded circuits.

[Archived]

Luc,

The weenies above didn’t mention I’m the battery guy, so contact me and we can go over your options. No matter what you buy, get rid of those nasty wet batteries and replace with AGM.

Trans-Specialists RV Batteries

[Archived]

Bernie-

I just got the coach, and I really like it, so I plan on keeping it for a long time. It was in my price range, and will allow me to make some upgrades to get it current and reliable. I would like to get rid of the wet golf cart batteries, as they are hard to maintain and prone to corrosion.

I want to get whatever batteries is the best way to go. And if I need to add an inverter to make the system robust and reliable, I would do that as well.

[Jon]

Jon-

Definitely want to get rid of the wet batteries, agree on all points. He has wired in a fan for ventilation, but it is clear, there has been some electrolyte leakage.

I don’t know how the house electrical circuits are set up, there is definitely a TV, microwave (which I don’t use), a Dometic refrigerator that runs on AC, DC, Propane. There are outlets as well. There is quite a bit of literature that came with the bus. I will see if I can find some wiring schematics.

Would Prevost Hayward be able to do the evaluations you mention?

Thanks

[Andre & Kathy]

Tom-

For sure I want to replace the wet batteries. I am thinking lithium Ion, but probably should get the system looked at to see what else is requirred to bring the coach up to date.

[John]

Luc……..

Prevost = Chassis

Converter = House

In the case of your converter you likely have 2 choices. The first is find one still in business or a company that specializes in Prevost conversions to sort out your issues and work with you, or as an alternative dive in, start the learning process and do your own work.

The good news is the early conversions were very simple and a lot of the components were off the shelf from WW Grainger or marine supply houses. Where you have to be careful is in making serious changes such as adding another inverter. Generally speaking that type of design improvement can get into the heart of the entire electrical system, both 120V AC as well as the house DC circuits and that is where a hard look at wire sizes and entire system set up become very important issues to study.

[glen]

Great thread and good information. Do older inverters say 20 years old have pass thru power. Our inverters power refrigerator, gally ,tv,air compressor, bed bath,bay,outlets. Why would you not use shore power, and have inverters for backup .Wanting to up grade and go with newer products, looking at Magnum or Samlex thanks in advance.

[Mike]

Older inverters as installed may not have been set up for by-pass power which if the inverter fails allows generator or shore power to reach the devices that need power. All inverters pass through power when working, usually sensing the presence of power, closing a relay to send power to the electric panel. Some of the power coming into the inverter would also then be used to make the inverter charge the house batteries.

My 2nd Liberty did not have pass through provision so I wired a by=pass circuit into the system so if power could not pass through the inverter, I could flip a switch and send generator or shore power to devices that need 120 V AC, specifically things important like the refrigerator.

[Mike]

Thanks Jon this is the route I am going to take.

[Archived]

I am not sure I could find the wiring diagram I created to make an inverter by-pass, but essentially what I did was use a switch that sent power from shore or generator power to the inverter in one position to send it directly to the electrical panel in the other position. I used 30 amp switches because the power to the inverter was through a 30 amp breaker.

[James]

Don’t confuse pass through power, the normal inverter setup, with an inverter by-pass. With a by-pass, you take the input power and send it direct to the power sources by-passing the inverter. Many of the early coaches didn’t have a by-pass switch.

[Archived]

That is what I don’t like at the moment our inverter makes power for ,refrigerator, tv microwave, outlets bath and bedroom, salon ,I want shore power for power and inverter for backup.

[Archived]

I’m not sure you have that option. Vantare runs almost if not everything through inverters, and Parliament may also do that. Other converter run shore and generator power to the 120V AC distribution panel which feeds power to inverters. Inverters then take that power, or power they create from battery power to feed dedicated bus bars that have things such as the refrigerator, outlets, microwave, etc.

If Parliament is set up like Vantare to change and do what you intend may be pricey.

[Glenn]

Jon thanks again, yes our coach power is made by inverter and I plan on changing that. I realize this might be pricey but believe it will be better in the long run .As big loads come straight from shore or generator now .Big power 3 roof ac electric heat water heater aqua hot washer dryer microwave.

[Jon]

If everything is working I don’t think I would worry too much about what is and what isn’t running through your Inverter right now. Get your batteries replaced first, then sort out what works on inverter and what doesn’t.

Your batteries are 6 volt. Your options are,

1. replace with same batteries (not recommended) and wire identical.

2. Replace with 8 Lifeline 6volt AGM batteries and wire identical. Only issue may be space if the batteries are larger in size.

3. Replace the 8, 6 volt batteries with 4 AGM 12 volt batteries. This would require some re-wiring. You would not need the equalizer in the 4th picture (assuming that is the equalizer for the 8, 6volt batteries)

It’s not an issue only having one inverter. Many coaches built in that era only had 1. Two inverters give you the extra charge capacity so you can add more batteries. One inverter is good for 4-12 volt batteries (or 8-6 volt in your case) Two inverters can also give you the ability to run 220volt appliances. and longer run time in general while unplugged.

Where are you located? Contact me, I’d be happy to take a look at your system and evaluate everything.