This project consist of installing an AC inverter system with remote control, and a new Progressive Dynamics DC converter with a Charge Wizard in a 2005 Pilgrim International 236RB Travel Trailer. The Inverter is a 2000 watt (continuous) and 6000 watt surge (10 seconds) rated unit. This will allow use of the microwave oven and DVD/TV entertainment system at the same time while primitive camping (no electrical hook-ups). We really won’t use the microwave oven for much more than warming a cup of coffee, or something small like that. We mainly wanted the inverter to use the entertainment system (DVD/TV/Radio). With us not using the microwave oven that often, we should have plenty of inverter run time available to watch movies and such.

The batteries for the inverter will be mounted on the underneath of the travel trailer in a rack that I am having welded up. When it is finished, it will be welded to the frame of the travel trailer. I have decided to use two Group 27 batteries. In my testing before installation, I had run a 1500 watt heater on just one of the batteries and it would run for quite a long time. So I’m thinking I only need two batteries instead of four. Four batteries may be more weight than I need power. I will try to post some pictures when I get the battery rack completed.

The inverter was mounted in a storage compartment that is accessible from the backside of the travel trailer. This allows access to the service outlet on the inverter itself for use outside and around the travel trailer. I plan to build a shelf above the inverter so I can still use the compartment for storage. In the above picture I had not dressed all the wires completely. The wiring you see above is more permanently installed now than in the picture. The big black cables are the 2/0 cables for the Inverter’s battery bank.

The inverter remote control panel was located in the kitchen area, just above the sink. Instead of cutting out a big hole in a wall somewhere, I made a wooden frame for the unit and mounted it like this. It could actually be removed and the only damage is two screw holes that wouldn't really be seen. In the right picture you can see that the microwave oven has been removed from its cabinet in order to run the wire for the remote. The location for the remote is ideal for quick access to the "Invert" button when you want to use AC power.

In this picture you can see that I have pulled the original Elixir converter/panel out and already mounted the new Progressive Dynamics converter and an AC outlet for power in the compartment.

Here is a closer view of the new converter and it’s AC outlet. The gray wire is going to the Charge Wizard module.

Note that the DC wiring is completed in this picture (red and white wires going to the converter). At this point I tested everything out, then mounted the panel back in the cabinet. You can't really tell anything has changed except for the new remote mounted above the sink.

Here is a picture of the Charge Wizard. It is not mounted in the picture, but I plan to mount it on the partition to the left of the shelf (just above where it is resting in the picture). It just mounts with double-sided tape. We decided that we could open the cabinet to access this device.

This is a basic schematic of the original mains wiring. It reflects the electrical configuration that mine had with an Elixir converter. I've heard the newer 2005 models now have a Progressive Dynamics converter. So that means all you need to do is install a Charge Wizard to compliment the converter and your battery will be much happier.

Here is the schematic of the new electrical mains wiring after I added the Inverter and upgraded the Converter. Note that two separate non-affiliated battery banks are used for each. I added an extra battery to the factory one for more available DC power.

I hope this helps others who may wish to tackle such a project. Now we can watch TV and DVDs all we want. We used to get about three quarters of the way through a movie and the battery on our portable 600 watt inverter would die. Now we can actually watch the end of a movie, and pop microwave popcorn at the same time.

Enjoy,

T. Robinson

(A proud owner of a Pilgrim !)