How many use 120 VAC on a regular basis?

[bshinn]

Hi all,

New guy here, wondering how many people regularly use 120 VAC when you're off-grid?

New owner of a Crux 1610 and after getting it home and playing with it for a bit, I am not happy with the electrical system and am making a few changes. One of the major ones is deleting the inverter. I can't see any reason I would need it on the type of trips I take here in the east. I'm not retired, and don't make a living on YouTube unfortunately, so my trips will be in the 3-4 day range (If I'm lucky). Other than maybe recharging a laptop ( I'm going off grid to get away from the damn thing) I don't see a need. If I do need one the small 400W version I currently use for work would be sufficient. I could charge in the Jeep without losing space on the trailer.

What am I missing? The supplied 2K watt inverter takes a ton of valuable space and if I ditch it it will clean up some of the sub-par wiring.

Thanks.

Bob

 

[old_CWO]

When camping I avoid using any electrical devices at all besides a small flashlight, so inverters aren't on my list of needs. I like my weekend adventures best at a quiet place with a warm dry bed, a comfy chair, unhealthy food and way too much firewood.

 

[bshinn]

When camping I avoid using any electrical devices at all besides a small flashlight, so inverters aren't on my list of needs. I like my weekend adventures best at a quiet place with a warm dry bed, a comfy chair, unhealthy food and way too much firewood.

Totally concur........the only reason I need power is for some music and lighting that I can think of.

 

[jwiereng]

12 VDC is more useful to me. Plug in any automotive accessories, flashlights, lanterns, water pump, fridge etc.

What’s available for 12VAC?

 

[Louisd75]

12 VDC is more useful to me. Plug in any automotive accessories, flashlights, lanterns, water pump, fridge etc.

What’s available for 12VAC?

I think his thread title was meant to be 120vac

And I agree with sticking with 12vdc. There isn't anything that I use that I can't adapt to charge off 12vdc.

 

[rkj__]

In my teardrop, I don't have an inverter, but in rare cases, I camp on campsites that do have 120V AC hookups. With 120V service, I can run the air conditioner, but other than that, the only 120V AC device I sometimes pack and use, is an electric kettle. It's not hard to boil water on a gas stove, so the electric kettle is very much non-essential.

Most small electronics these days can charge via USB / 12V DC. I was watching for sales, and looking for a reason to get an inverter. Though I did find sales, I did not find a reason to buy an inverter.

So, my vote would be to ditch the inverter to free up space, and clean up the wiring like you were proposing.

 

[68camaro]

Hi, I am on east coast as well.

I am upgrading electrical in 2001 small RV, I bought a 2000 watt inverter but after really analysing needs I returned it. If you are off-grid you need a pretty big battery bank to really get benefit of inverter if you really need it, and if you have shore power I don't think necessary anyway.

 

[bshinn]

I think his thread title was meant to be 120vac

And I agree with sticking with 12vdc. There isn't anything that I use that I can't adapt to charge off 12vdc.

Proofreading is a good thing, I should practice it more often.

 

[jwiereng]

Louisd75’s reply made me think that mis read the post and was hasty to reply.

 

[Teardropper]

"New guy here, wondering how many people regularly use 120 VAC when you're off-grid?"

Never.

12V is fine.

T

 

[bshinn]

Finally convinced myself, the inverter came out last night. Going to save about 10#'s and give me some more storage space. Not to mention being able to clean up the rat's nest wiring.