Boondocking

[jvikesguy]

Installing 2000 watt inverter. Will this work? Attach a 30 amp female receptacle to the inverter. Plug into with your 30 amp power cord then attach the power cord to the coach. The same idea as hooking up to shore power. Will this set up send power to all coach outlets? Then be careful as to what appliances are using the power.Suggestions are welcome.
jvikesguy

[formerFR]

basically, it might work, though adding a 30amp receptacle from the Inverter output is a new one. I suppose you mean like some units which require you to 'plug in' your shore power cord to an outlet in the basement of the coach when you want generator power.
And, yes, then you'd have to be really cognizant about what you 'turn on', as the air conditioner, electric water heater, or a large draw device, like the microwave or electric space heater would quickly be a problem.

How large is your battery bank? A large inverter will be draining a small battery bank very quickly...
Does the 2000w inverter include a sizable Charger? Will your breaker box now include a 30amp breaker feed to the Charger, for your batteries, when on shore power or generator?

[richp]

Hi,

I live exactly that way for months at a time with my 2000 watt Xantrex inverter. (Well not quite -- my inverter has built in outlets.)

Not as elegant as having a transfer switch, but a perfectly serviceable setup. Be sure to turn off the converter, and figure a way to keep critters from coming in the opening your power cord uses to enter the body of the trailer.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[jvikesguy]

Originally Posted by formerFR

basically, it might work, though adding a 30amp receptacle from the Inverter output is a new one. I suppose you mean like some units which require you to 'plug in' your shore power cord to an outlet in the basement of the coach when you want generator power.
And, yes, then you'd have to be really cognizant about what you 'turn on', as the air conditioner, electric water heater, or a large draw device, like the microwave or electric space heater would quickly be a problem.

How large is your battery bank? A large inverter will be draining a small battery bank very quickly...
Does the 2000w inverter include a sizable Charger? Will your breaker box now include a 30amp breaker feed to the Charger, for your batteries, when on shore power or generator?

I am new to inverters & need advice. Currently running 2 six volt batteries parallel w/80 amp solar for charging. I wold like to be able to run selective items such as TV, small ceramic heater, led lighting, phone charging etc. But not all at same time. All comments/suggestions appreciated.
jvikesguy

[cavie]

Watching this.

[Cowracer]

That's basically how my old Winnebago worked. There was a plug inside the cable compartment that connected the electrical system to the on-board generator. When you wanted to use shore power, you unplugged out of the connector (genny) and plugged into the pedestal.



Should work just fine.

Tim

[Flybob]

You will need to have a way to cut out the converter or you will be creating a big energy wasting loop. The batteries will be providing DC power to the inverter which will provide AC power to the entire RV including converter which will convert AC back to DC to charge the battery. This will be wasting a ton of power that will do nothing.

[jvikesguy]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

I live exactly that way for months at a time with my 2000 watt Xantrex inverter. (Well not quite -- my inverter has built in outlets.)

Not as elegant as having a transfer switch, but a perfectly serviceable setup. Be sure to turn off the converter, and figure a way to keep critters from coming in the opening your power cord uses to enter the body of the trailer.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

Never thought about just plugging into the inverter. Thanks

[richp]

Hi,

I can give a real world example.

I lived two months in the desert at Quartszite last winter and never ran the generator. I have 600 watts of solid mounted solar on the roof of my Silverback, two Trojan T105 batteries, and a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. I monitor the Bogart charge controller with a Bogart monitor, so I see every amp in and out. I was hooked up just the way I described, with no transfer switch.

Watched TV and/or DVDs about every night, used the microwave, never worried about economy in lighting, and kept various portable devices charged. Occasionally, I couldn't use the microwave first thing in the morning if I had used my Tivo a lot the evening before, but a few hours later it was good to go as well. No air conditioner use, of course, but every other 120 volt device (other than the refer and water heater, which I kept on propane) ran seamlessly.

When these batteries need replacement, I will double my capacity for more margin. But for now I am very satisfied.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips