No voltage to outlets

[ramblin]

Im a newbie. Have a question. 2018 Sabre Colbalt. With batteries on and inverter running should I have power to the outlets?

[CHICKDOE]

probably not. generally the inverter is only used to power a residential refrigerator. can you check to see if the refrigerator is getting power? i'm assuming you are not connected to shore power. what I have said is typical but there are always exceptions. also, a residential refrigerator can draw down batteries in a pretty short period of time. I do not know how many and what type batteries you have.

[ramblin]

Yes the residential refrigerator is running. I am not connected to shore power. Have 2 batteries.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by ramblin

Im a newbie. Have a question. 2018 Sabre Colbalt. With batteries on and inverter running should I have power to the outlets?

... "inverter running"... What are you calling an inverter? Inverter generator? or else?

[ramblin]

No shore power so I assume its called an inverter taking battery power and converting to 110 to run the frig.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by ramblin

No shore power so I assume its called an inverter taking battery power and converting to 110 to run the frig.

I have to be careful to qualify this or I'll have my answer "adjusted" but many/most/some unit's inverters ONLY power the residential fridge and no other outlets. Can you find your inverter and see how many cords are plugged in? I don't have an inverter/residential fridge so I only know what I've read.

[ramblin]

I will check tomorrow. The 5th wheel is in storage for the evening. Have a good rest of the day

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

I have to be careful to qualify this or I'll have my answer "adjusted" but many/most/some unit's inverters ONLY power the residential fridge and no other outlets. Can you find your inverter and see how many cords are plugged in? I don't have an inverter/residential fridge so I only know what I've read.

yep, most of those with residential fridges, the inverter only runs the fridge, not the outlets.

[ramblin]

So I need to be hooked to shore power for the outlets to work?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by ramblin

So I need to be hooked to shore power for the outlets to work?

Yes --------- or a generator.

[ramblin]

Thanks. I will hook up shore power and confirm. Have a good evening

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by ramblin

Thanks. I will hook up shore power and confirm. Have a good evening

The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post231880

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1649595

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Bobby

[CHICKDOE]

did you turn the inverter off when you put it into storage? if you left it on the refrigerator will use battery power while in storage. those batteries won't last long unless they get recharged. you say you can connect to shore power. can you do this where the unit is being stored? that would keep the batteries charged. and run the refrigerator of shore power without need to turn the inverter on. and even better would be to turn the refrigerator off. many people complain about batteries going dead while in storage even with most loads turned off.

[5picker]

Shame on your dealer for not explaining these important systems to you during your PDI/Customer Orientation.

[kenpowell1609]

You may want to see if your GFI is tripped. Normally on the duplex plug in the bathroom. May be an easy fix. Also turn off the refer.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by kenpowell1609

You may want to see if your GFI is tripped. Normally on the duplex plug in the bathroom. May be an easy fix. Also turn off the refer.

It's my opinion that the OP might have deciphered his problem.

Originally Posted by ramblin

So I need to be hooked to shore power for the outlets to work?

[cavie]

Originally Posted by wmtire

The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post231880

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1649595

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Bobby

Those should be must-read stickys before you can ask questions

[tgold]

A converter boost 12 Direct Current to 120 volts Alternating Current. If you have a residential refrigerator this converted provides do the refrigerator only. Two six volt batteries connected in series provides 12 volts that is converted to 120 volts for approximately 6 to 8 hours run time. An inverter takes 120 volts and chokes it down to 12 volts DC to run lights, slides, awning and such. Generally there are two different six volt batteries that run the 12 volt DC system without shore power 120 volts. So no you will not have power on plugs except the refrigerator without shore power. Hope this helps.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by tgold

A converter boost 12 Direct Current to 120 volts Alternating Current. If you have a residential refrigerator this converted provides do the refrigerator only. Two six volt batteries connected in series provides 12 volts that is converted to 120 volts for approximately 6 to 8 hours run time. An inverter takes 120 volts and chokes it down to 12 volts DC to run lights, slides, awning and such. Generally there are two different six volt batteries that run the 12 volt DC system without shore power 120 volts. So no you will not have power on plugs except the refrigerator without shore power. Hope this helps.

Uhh, the terminology (emboldened in red above) is backwards here. A converter converts 120 volt ac to 12 volt DC.

An inverter inverts 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC

This link may help:

https://www.diffen.com/difference/Converter_vs_Inverter

as well as the converter and inverter links that are posted above in posts #12 and #17.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by tgold

A converter boost 12 Direct Current to 120 volts Alternating Current. If you have a residential refrigerator this converted provides do the refrigerator only. Two six volt batteries connected in series provides 12 volts that is converted to 120 volts for approximately 6 to 8 hours run time. An inverter takes 120 volts and chokes it down to 12 volts DC to run lights, slides, awning and such. Generally there are two different six volt batteries that run the 12 volt DC system without shore power 120 volts. So no you will not have power on plugs except the refrigerator without shore power. Hope this helps.

This didn't help


A CONVERTER changes 110 volt ac into 12 volts dc. It powers 12 volt lighting, 12 volt electric to the REF, 12 volt to the igniters for the WH and the furnace and charges the battery. An inverter changes 12 volt dc into 110 volt ac. The resi ref is connected to an INVERTER. Some TT/Motorhomes have combination Converters/Inverters.