Leisure Battery usage (2 Viewers)

[TMFTM]

Now I am at the stage of buying our first Motorhome (test drive pending) I am thinking about the nitty gritty!
I have negotiated with the dealer to fit me an additional battery because as I mentioned in another thread, I use a CPAP breathing machine overnight which has a 90 watt output.
What is the general consensus regarding the use of further electrical devices? Kettles, hairdryers, phone chargers, microwaves, TV's etc? What can the average leisure battery manage? Does the system often trip? Are there any do's and don'ts I have to consider?

 

[MC 55 FUN]

A leisure battery will not power any 240v device, you'll need an inverter or be on ehu to power such devices

 

[TMFTM]

Should there be an inverter already fitted or are all domestic appliances for motorhomes specified as 110v?

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[Richard n Ann]

90w is 7.5 amps (plus inverter losses) so if that is continuous all night, it's a big load for a battery. I'd have thought you would need upwards of 300w solar on the roof to put that back in. (that's 60ah for 8 hours use)
Forget kettles, hair dryers, toasters and anything else with an element. Chargers and TV is ok.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Should there be an inverter already fitted or are all domestic appliances for motorhomes specified as 110v?

No, 110v is sometimes in American RVs but other than that it's just on building sites in the UK . Motorhome TVs are usually 12v.
Inverters don't usually come fitted in the van unless the last owner left one in.

 

[100brian]

Now I am at the stage of buying our first Motorhome (test drive pending) I am thinking about the nitty gritty!
I have negotiated with the dealer to fit me an additional battery because as I mentioned in another thread, I use a CPAP breathing machine overnight which has a 90 watt output.
What is the general consensus regarding the use of further electrical devices? Kettles, hairdryers, phone chargers, microwaves, TV's etc? What can the average leisure battery manage? Does the system often trip? Are there any do's and don'ts I have to consider?

Hi
Check which cpap machine you have some of them work on 12 volt if you have one you can get a 12 volt lead and not have to use a inverter.

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[CWH]

Hi @TMFTM
If you do a search for CPAP on here (top right of this page) you'll get quite a lot of results which might be worth reading through, and maybe connect with other Funsters who use them.

 

[100brian]

If you have a remstar machine this is the 12 volt lead.

 

[TMFTM]

Thanks again everyone, I am certainly learning a lot more day by day. An inverter looks like the way ahead but the dealer I spoke to said they don't fit them because they are dangerous. Is that the case or is just cobblers because he can't be bothered?
What is the approximate cost?
I am also thinking of getting a solar panel fitted as a lot of our travelling abroad will be in the sun.

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[Richard n Ann]

It's cobblers because he can't be bothered.
Our 200w pure sine wave inverter was £205 ex demonstration but it's top quality, you could probably get a 1000w Chinese one for half that.
Our 150w solar system was about 300 quid all in. I fitted it myself though.

 

[MikeD]

Inverters use a lot of power from the battery. To produce 7 amps 240v from a inverter it is around 140amps from the battery.

Most batteries would not sustain that draw for long.

The cabling for the inverter would be pretty thick and heavy as well.

 

[TMFTM]

It's a conundrum isn't it! Sort the 12v connection with the hospital tomorrow and source any other 12v appliances to suit.

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[100brian]

It's a conundrum isn't it! Sort the 12v connection with the hospital tomorrow and source any other 12v appliances to suit.

Which cpap machine do you have.
My old one was 12 volt the one I use now is 24 volt.

 

[TMFTM]

It's a RESMED. It says 12 volt adaptable on the label so I suppose it's just a case of picking up a different transformer.

 

[100brian]

It's a RESMED. It says 12 volt adaptable on the label so I suppose it's just a case of picking up a different transformer.

Mine is a resmed also but 24 volt,
if yours is 12 you only need the lead that goes in cig lighter then to your machine as in the link I posted