Inverter

[Al8723]

I have a 2016 Redwood, we traveled from San Antonio, Tx to Destin, Fl and when we stop we noticed that the ice was melting from the ice machine on the refrigerator..does our inverter have something to do with it. Our inverter does not stay on is this normal. HELP

[Jim & Mary]

I assume you have the standard Redwood residential package, with an inverter mounted in the basement storage area. The inverter operation is directly related to the battery capacity, condition as well as all the battery cables. How many batteries and how new and how big are they? The inverter will only operate properly as long as there is battery power to feed it.

[spindrift]

Assuming the inverter is working.....

[bergeman]

Originally Posted by Al8723

I have a 2016 Redwood, we traveled from San Antonio, Tx to Destin, Fl and when we stop we noticed that the ice was melting from the ice machine on the refrigerator..does our inverter have something to do with it. Our inverter does not stay on is this normal. HELP

I had many loose connections in the battery compartment. Check your connections, but make sure you look before you pull where it is connected to. Once I straightened that out I could travel a couple days without any problems from the fridge. Works perfect.

[Al8723]

When does the inverter green light stay on. Does it stay on when your traveling,

[Pete385]

Do you have power from tow vehicle to trailer while towing?

[Al8723]

yes we have 12 volts on the plug

[spindrift]

What voltage were the batteries reading when you stopped in Destin? Did you load test the batteries? How many do you have?

[Al8723]

i will put a meter on the batteries to find a voltage reading. i did not load test batteries, didn't think we had to and the RV sales person never mention that. we have two batteries that I did check the liquid and they were all good

[johnboytoo]

residential fridge and you only have two batteries ?!?!

Hope they are GREAT batteries our 38gk came with 3 batteries, all no brand name that barely kept anything on for 1 day.

[Jim & Mary]

If you bought the Redwood new, and your dealer is typical, you have (two?) really no name batteries that are more than likely insufficient to power all your 12 volt loads on the coach plus the inverter to power the fridge. You need someone with some electrical and battery knowledge to find:
1. condition and amp-hour capacity of the batteries
2. size and condition of the battery interconnect cabling tying the two batteries
together as well as the feed to the inverter.
3. Whether or not the tow vehicle's alternator is charging the coach batteries
when connected by the RV cord to the TV. The tow vehicle's alternator
should be able to keep the batteries sufficiently charged to operate the
inverter to power the fridge.
4. Does the inverter power the fridge when connected to shore power? The
inverter control panel should tell you battery voltage, inverter output
current and status.

If you can take a pic of your battery setup and wiring, maybe we can further help you.

Jim

[RWJSIM2003]

When we bought our RW it had 2 12 batt and that would only go about 24 hours> have since switched to 4, 6 volt batt and can now easily make if 3-4 days with only the Fridge running. I added a second inverter up front so I can plug in a small compressor to air up tires and trail air if needed. I have two solar chargers on Pole that I attach to the ladder if we are leaving the RW in storage very long that will keep the batt trickle charged. Also added a Battery Disconnect to outside of box that will completely shut them down from coach. Last thing I added last week was the Pro fill water system so I don't have to take the lid off to check battery every time.

[atom ant]

The first Redwood fridges were 3 27 series batteries like Johns, then they went to two 31 series batteries. That's ~200Ah or about 20 hrs operation with no help from the truck I believe.

[ted 95]

if you are finding that your inverter / batteries are not keeping up while driving you alternator may not be putting out enough amps. It might be as simple as the belt is loose or the wiring may be too small. That is why we ordered our GMC with 2 alternators. When you push the tow haul button it not only changes the shifting but one of the alternators supplies only the trailer. and they are both 230 amp.

[spindrift]

Originally Posted by ted 95

That is why we ordered our GMC with 2 alternators. When you push the tow haul button it not only changes the shifting but one of the alternators supplies only the trailer. and they are both 230 amp.

As much as I love my Ferd, that is one, sweet option.

[BasilFawlty]

Have you checked to make sure your inverter is ON after removing shore power? There is an option to set "ALWAYS ON" on the remote panel. Simple way to check this is to remove shore power and see if the refrigerator is still on. If your refrigerator turn off only a few seconds, you may have to change this setting or simply make sure to manually turn it back on manually every time you remove shore power. See the manual in the library above. MR-ME Remote I believe is the model of the remote that we have.

[mesg]

Originally Posted by spindrift

As much as I love my Ferd, that is one, sweet option.

Just swapped the latest 2016 for one of the last steel bodied 2016 f350`s.. (perks of being a retired ford employee twice a year upgrade.. ) I ordered in back in Feb to get the identical truck... dual altenators are a must in the diesel`s.. especially if you plow like I do.. twin 230 amp...power producers.. and the added 4500 watt inverter on top of the factory 1100 watt unit... gives us peace of mind.. just in case mother earth.. throws us a curve ball)..

More than enough to run the house or the rv.. in the event an o`crap moment happens. The 80 gallon helper in the box, and the xtra 64 gallon (mounted right side frame rail) tanks really add peace of mind..

yuppers.. Im canadian and paranoid...

[ellenblair]

Hot water heater works only on propane. I want it to work with electric setting. What am I doing wrong?

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by ellenblair

Hot water heater works only on propane. I want it to work with electric setting. What am I doing wrong?

What year and model Redwood do you own?

[mhs4771]

Have you turned on the "Little Black Switch" in the lower left corner on the front of the water heater?? If it's not on the switch inside won't do anything.