Tapping into the Control Panel

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   I have a 2015 178.

I've already tapped a 12v socket into the Control Panel.  No problem, works well.

I'm now considering an inverter.  I can't remember, but is there another open spot for it on the control panel and bus bar?   I'd like to do this the right way vrs. plugging it into the 12v socket I've got.

It's an 800 watt inverter.  I don't expect to use it often.  Probably only for limited off the grid nights to run a coffee grinder or blender.  Starting to think however that to run 800 watts on 12V is a large load.  Would this not require a 50 amp or better fuse?  And is an inverter of this size too big?

If I were to use it for the television, which would only be limited and broadcast TV, would I get reception without also tapping the antenna amplifier into it, or is that 12v?

Thanks

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Don Halas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Topic: Tapping into the Control Panel Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 12:52pm
	I have a 2015 178. I've already tapped a 12v socket into the Control Panel. No problem, works well. I'm now considering an inverter. I can't remember, but is there another open spot for it on the control panel and bus bar? I'd like to do this the right way vrs. plugging it into the 12v socket I've got. It's an 800 watt inverter. I don't expect to use it often. Probably only for limited off the grid nights to run a coffee grinder or blender. Starting to think however that to run 800 watts on 12V is a large load. Would this not require a 50 amp or better fuse? And is an inverter of this size too big? If I were to use it for the television, which would only be limited and broadcast TV, would I get reception without also tapping the antenna amplifier into it, or is that 12v? Thanks

TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 2:10pm
	Even though it's rated at 800W, you can use it at any wattage up to that. You can limit the wattage you use with a smaller fuse. I connected my 12V socket and 400W inverter on the same circuit and used a 40A fuse. My 179 has another open slot, I believe, but I didn't want to mess with running another cable from the fuse/breaker box. The antenna amp is 12V, so you only need to worry about power to the TV. The 19" Jensen is rated at 17W, so you won't have any trouble powering it.

Don Halas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 2:58pm
	Thanks. I always tend to over engineer things. I didn't find any difficulty with running the other line to the control panel. I think running the wire down from my hole was the hardest part. Thanks again.

GLBCamper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 3:13pm
	Related question. I put in a double unit, one with two USB inputs and one 12v input. What size fuse should I have used for each? I will be using a 200w inverter to run the TV.
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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 3:34pm
	That would depend on the "load". Amps = watts divided volts Using the above 800 watts example: 800 watts divided by 120 volts = 6.7 amps 800 watts divided by 12 volts = 67 amps Just guessing, your 200 watt inverter will withstand a brief 300 watt surge/on. My 19" LCD TV uses 55 watts. At 120 volts, it draws about .45 amps. At 12 volts, it draws about 5 amps (inverters are not 100% efficient so, I rounded up). So, since watching "GUNSMOKE" for one hour each day is mandatory viewing, if done on 12 volts, thru the inverter, 5 amp/hours are used from the batteries. If you add up the total "load", that will tell. My guess would be somewhere around a 10 amp fuse would handle all. (Unless you have a REALLY BIG TV.) (a watt is a watt, no matter what. Reduce the voltage by a factor of 10 and the amperage will increase by a factor of 10) Disclaimer: Always make sure your wire is sized correctly. Too small of wire with too big of a fuse can be a fire hazard.

GLBCamper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 5:34pm
	Thanks. I went with 10 when I did the install figuring that smaller is safer. I haven't used it yet, so if I run into a blow out I might feel safe going up to 15. I just didn't know if 10 was way too small.
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TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Posted: 06 Apr 2016 at 6:10pm
	I used 8 gauge to my inverter and then 12 from the inverter to my DC outlet and USB (which are in the immediate area of the inverter). The panel isn't designed for anything over about 10, so I had to trim off some bulk to get the wire into the terminal. I figure that a few millimeters of slightly reduced cross-sectional area isn't going to hurt anything. I actually have 4 USB charging ports built in now: two fed from 12V DC, and two on the AC outlet I used for the inverter.