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Old 03-24-2012, 02:27 AM   #1
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Electrical System

Does anyone know how the Dutchmen/Denali TT's converters work? I assumed they were strictly to convert AC power to 12VDC so that you can charge the batteries when connected to shore power or a generator. Does it also allow you to run 120V appliances via the receptacles when not connected to shore or a generator? My dealer tells me the TV's won't work when unconnected but some of the receptacles will. I am totally confused now... I would assume if you're not connected to shore or a generator then none of the AC plugs would work unless you bought an inverter to convert that DC back to AC. But maybe these units have a small wattage inverter somewhere in the system IN ADDITION to the 65 amp converter/charger?
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Old 03-24-2012, 04:11 PM   #2
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Re: Electrical System

I have an Aspen Trail 2710BH made by Dutchmen. The converter works as you assume, it runs all the 12V systems and charges the battery when plugged into shore power/generator. If you are not plugged into shore power (AC power), it is not powered up and doesn't do anything. All 12V systems run off the battery and none of the AC outlets in the TT are live. No OEM inverter installed anywhere. I see nothing on the Dutchmen website list of standard and optional features mentioning an inverter.
http://dutchmen-rv.com/index.php?p=features
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Old 03-24-2012, 05:41 PM   #3
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Re: Electrical System

Yeah, that's what I Would have expected. Dealer says some outlets will work though. Hmmm - methinks I'll swing by the storage yard later today and find out for myself. If not, I may buy a decent inverter so I can at least have a TV in the evenings when I wouldn't be able to have a generator running.
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Old 03-24-2012, 05:48 PM   #4
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Re: Electrical System

The tv in my TT works well on a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter. At makes a terrible buzzing sound on a modified sine wave inverter though.
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Old 03-26-2012, 03:02 AM   #5
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Re: Electrical System

Well, I called the dealer today and she said ALL of the plugs will work when not plugged into shore power. They 65 amp 'converter' apparently doubles as an inverter. I am not sure if she's correct but I'll let you know after my first trip on the easter long weekend. I tend to believe her because she's been spot-on about everything else, has been to factory and seems more knowledgeable than any other salesperson I have come across.
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Old 03-26-2012, 03:17 AM   #6
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Re: Electrical System

I know that motorhomes will come with converter/inverters, but I think that would be quite an upgrade on a TT. They are pretty expensive. But here's hoping your unit does have one, that would be very nice!
About $1500 for an aftermarket one here.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...er-xantrex.htm
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Old 03-26-2012, 03:32 PM   #7
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Re: Electrical System

I have that Inverter in my work truck sans remote panel and I'm very happy with it. I have a 2012 SD on order and it will also be outfitted with one. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Did you happen to send an email to the factory and question the inverter / converter installation for your trailer?

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Old 03-26-2012, 07:04 PM   #8
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Re: Electrical System

Quote:
Originally Posted by grump010
Did you happen to send an email to the factory and question the inverter / converter installation for your trailer?
No I didn't, just asked the salesperson. I would have gone over to the trailer myself but at the moment it is parked some distance away and I was super swamped all weekend buying stuff to stock the thing with. Two full days of shopping, which I came away with two observations: 1) costco is a zoo! 2) camping is expensive!! lol

By the way, I picked up a 19" LCD TV for the back bedroom with a top mound DVD and a tilt bracket so the DVD can be easily loaded without interference from the surrounding entertainment unit. Also will be good to angle dowards in the event that one of the kids ends of sleeping on the trundle bed. Would be cool if that TV worked off the on-board inverter (assuming I have one).
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:23 PM   #9
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Re: Electrical System

The converter maintains the battery voltage, along with the 12 volt items(lights, vent fans, etc..).
Unless your trailer is equipped with an Inverter, the 120 volt items(microwave, receptacles, A/C, etc..) will not function through the Converter.
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Old 03-30-2012, 12:15 PM   #10
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Re: Electrical System

On our Dutchmen Lite 25C-GS, I keep an LED button lite in one of the 110 volt sockets. This way I can tell when the 110 volt AC circuit is hooked up and all circuit breakers in and out of the trailer are working. Our television set and stereo/radio work off the 12 volt system.
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Old 03-31-2012, 04:00 AM   #11
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Re: Electrical System

Looks like my salesperson was wrong. None of the 110V AC sockets work on battery power alone. I have a small 400W inverter that I might hook up for late-night TV when I don't want the generator to be running.
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Old 04-01-2012, 03:42 AM   #12
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Re: Electrical System

I have had the fan in the power center run even though I was NOT plugged into shore power. I did not notice that I had power in any 120 Vac outlets either. The battery goes dead fast enough by itself. This year I am adding solar panels, batteries, an inverter, and I found a 12Vdc TV.
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Old 04-02-2012, 06:09 PM   #13
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Re: Electrical System

Quote:
Originally Posted by thejean
Looks like my salesperson was wrong. None of the 110V AC sockets work on battery power alone. I have a small 400W inverter that I might hook up for late-night TV when I don't want the generator to be running.
Are you sure your TV is not a 12 volt system? Ours is on the 25C-GS
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Old 04-02-2012, 11:00 PM   #14
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Re: Electrical System

I'll double check but I don't think so.
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Old 05-08-2012, 12:54 AM   #15
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Re: Electrical System

What 19 inch did you buy and where. I like the DVD part for the kids.


Quote:
Originally Posted by thejean
By the way, I picked up a 19" LCD TV for the back bedroom with a top mound DVD and a tilt bracket so the DVD can be easily loaded without interference from the surrounding entertainment unit. Also will be good to angle dowards in the event that one of the kids ends of sleeping on the trundle bed. Would be cool if that TV worked off the on-board inverter (assuming I have one).
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Old 05-11-2012, 04:18 AM   #16
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Re: Electrical System

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neicho
What 19 inch did you buy and where. I like the DVD part for the kids.


Quote:
Originally Posted by thejean
By the way, I picked up a 19" LCD TV for the back bedroom with a top mound DVD and a tilt bracket so the DVD can be easily loaded without interference from the surrounding entertainment unit. Also will be good to angle dowards in the event that one of the kids ends of sleeping on the trundle bed. Would be cool if that TV worked off the on-board inverter (assuming I have one).
Can't remember the brand (and my camper is at the dealer at the moment or I would look for you) but I bought it at walmart. It was the 19" model (a 24" is too large) and the DVD loads at the top and back. I picked up a tilting mounting bracket at Future Shop for an additional $60.
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Old 05-11-2012, 07:52 AM   #17
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Re: Electrical System

Sounds like you got a good deal there JC. I just picked up a $135 tool kit from Canadian Tire for $35. Let's see how it holds up. What's the picture quality like with those TV/DVD Combo's ?
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Old 05-11-2012, 12:17 PM   #18
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Re: Electrical System

There are some on Newegg.com I have bought there before, very reputable. I will get a top mount with the tilt, so the kids in lower trundle can watch. Ordering these from studiooneup.com Jaxx bean bag pillow for lower trundle to make a sofa for kids. they wanted 850 for rear sofa. now I can use lower trundle PLUS have bean bag sofa. Sounds awful for adults but kids will love it.
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Old 05-11-2012, 07:03 PM   #19
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Re: Electrical System

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neicho
There are some on Newegg.com I have bought there before, very reputable. I will get a top mount with the tilt, so the kids in lower trundle can watch. Ordering these from studiooneup.com Jaxx bean bag pillow for lower trundle to make a sofa for kids. they wanted 850 for rear sofa. now I can use lower trundle PLUS have bean bag sofa. Sounds awful for adults but kids will love it.
That is exactly why we stuck with the trundle bed as well. That is also why I wanted a tilt mount TV.

I guess great minds think alike!!
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