inverters and wiring mod

[prairiecamper]

How does every one use there inverters say 1000 watt average? Are you using them primarily for a TV, computer, charge station etc.? I have a 1000 watt PSW that I wired into the entertainment system that is at the rear of the trailer. I removed the entertainment system circuit wire from the electric distribution panel, mounted a 3 way sw. on the wall near the panel. Then I wired the entertainment system circuit wire into the 3 way switch. Another separate short piece of wire from the 3 way sw. to the electric distribution panel. Another length of wire from the 3 way sw. to the inverter mounted near the batteries. Now I simply have turn on the inverter and flip the 3 way sw. and the entertainment system is good to go when boon docking! At a full hook up site the 3 way is flipped the other way and the entertainment system is powered from shore power. No hassles and no extension cords required .

[Blackhat6mike]

My inverter is wired directly to an automatic transfer switch's secondary circuit with primary circuit being shore power. I let the switch figure out which power source it wants.
We only use the inverter for Microwave, AC or TVs. The inverter circuit is separately wired to three 115 outlets to be used by any plugin devices. That way the transfer switch does not have to be used. The inverter is a AIMS 5,000 watt industrial grade unit with 10,000-watt surge capability for the compressor appliances.
I started out with a 1,500-watt inverter wired into the three 115 outlets and it worked very well. Later on, I found the need for the microwave when boondocking or overnighting in parking lots or rest areas, hence the much larger inverter. Still haven't found any problems with using a modified sinewave unit over a pure sinewave. Everything works fine including TVs and computers.
My memory stinks, so having to remember to switch something or start a fire, is not an option for me.

[TimVWulp]

Hi I just wired PSW 1000 watt inverter in to the 12 volt battery with an auto reset overload between the battery and the inverter. The next step was the 110 volt side. Thank you for the brain storming you have done, I like how you came up with a way to separate the 2 power circuits from each other.

Thank you for the good idea Tim

[rana]

I installed a sub panel so, with the exception of the water heater and A/C, the whole rig is powered. I don't like extension cords, flipping switches or trying to remember which outlets are powered and which are not.

I DID purchase an additional 600 watt PSW inverter that I eventually plan to wire for strictly the TV, satellite receiver and charging station, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

[Big Vic]

I hard wired a 2000w inverter to a 30 amp female receptacle right next to my 30 amp shore power female input on the outside of the TT. I can now use a short 18" power cord to connect my inverter to the shore power receptacle. This allows me to run all the 120v outlets in the TT, including the microwave. A 1000w inverter will probably not run a typical MV, hair dryer or coffee maker, but almost everything else. If just running a TV and satellite receiver, a 600w or even 300w inverter would be enough.

Caveats: If using this method, make sure you open the circuit breaker to the battery charger on your fuse panel so that the battery is not charging itself while using the inverter. You will likely need a good amperage battery bank to make use of a larger inverter. I have 4 6v golf cart deep cycle batteries (wired as 12v) with large gauge wire to the inverter in order to run the MW for even a few minutes. In your example, using a 1000w inverter - will probably need at least two deep cycle house batteries.

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by Big Vic

I hard wired a 2000w inverter to a 30 amp female receptacle right next to my 30 amp shore power female input on the outside of the TT................ .

Another great idea. Not quite as automatic as a transfer switch, but I bet it works just as well! Bonus is you have another power receptacle on the other side of the trailer!

[Davidg]

I realize this is an older thread, but still a good one. My inverter does nothing but supply 120 vac to the residential refer. The inverter is supplied by three 12 volt batteries. I thought the outlet in the front basement was connected to the inverter, but found out that it was not just when I needed it most. Had a bad tire on the F250 (old truck) and the spare was low. (shame on me). So, being the McGiver kinda guy I am, I mounted an outlet box/outlet inside the front basement and wired it directly to the output of the inverter. Now, when I'm on the road, if I need to add air to a tire, I can do it with an air compressor that doesn't take all day, and yes, the inverter easily handles my little Senco air compressor, which is still a jillion times faster than a 12 volt air compressor.
(I would love to have an electrical schematic of my 29RE)

[Kenny kustom]

I was told by the dealer, that usually the outside 120 plug is wired to the fridge circuit.

Haven't tried that theory.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

I was told by the dealer, that usually the outside 120 plug is wired to the fridge circuit.

Haven't tried that theory.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I have a 2016 3250 Cardinal and my outside plug isn't fed by my inverter.
I have 4ea GC-2 Interstate batteries and a Go Power solar set up that was just completed. Next I have to figure out how I want to connect to the existing system without spending a fortune. The jumper idea is kind of cool.
I'm trying to get an electrical schematic from FR now to plan the next step.

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by Havasu Bill

I have a 2016 3250 Cardinal and my outside plug isn't fed by my inverter.
I have 4ea GC-2 Interstate batteries and a Go Power solar set up that was just completed. Next I have to figure out how I want to connect to the existing system without spending a fortune. The jumper idea is kind of cool.
I'm trying to get an electrical schematic from FR now to plan the next step.

The jumper idea isn't working for me for some reason.
I used my RV 50A cord with an adapter to plug in to the Prowatt 2000 inverter. It powers the coach for about 5 minutes and kicks the 80A fuse on the feed going to the inverter.
I tried it 3 times with the same result even with just the fridge on.
I plugged the RV into my normal power again and the inverter works fine.
Any thoughts? Is the 80A fuse too small?

[B and B]

Is your Hot Water heater turned on electric?

[doc73]

Also make sure your convertor is off.. It makes a crzy loop when the batteries power the invertor then the invertor powers the convertor... But I would first shut everything off and see what happens with just one circuit at a time to see what trips the system.

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by B and B

Is your Hot Water heater turned on electric?

I had the water heater on the fist time when it kicked the fuse. I turned it off and got the same result.
Ok, dumb question, how do I turn the converter off?

[doc73]

There will be a breaker for it on the main panel, prob labeled as convetor or conv. That is what makes the 12v power from the 120 volt.

[Havasu Bill]

Thanks! I'll have a look 😊

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by doc73

There will be a breaker for it on the main panel, prob labeled as convetor or conv. That is what makes the 12v power from the 120 volt.

Found the breaker and that did the trick. I can run the fridge, TVs and lights. I tried the coffee machine but that kicked it off again.

I guess I need a bigger inverter to make coffee and run the microwave.

[doc73]

2000 watts will be close. They are prop 1500 watts maybe a bit more. Try turning everything else off and see if they can be run. Just one at a time.

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by doc73

2000 watts will be close. They are prop 1500 watts maybe a bit more. Try turning everything else off and see if they can be run. Just one at a time.

Thanks! I'm headed out on a trip with it in the morning. Hope to have more time, when I'm not playing in the sand dunes, to mess around more with it.

Thanks for the quick help getting it to work. I've got a tech coming on Monday to give me recommendations on a long term fix.

[Havasu Bill]

Everything is working great running the "jumper" from the 2000W inverter to the shore power receptacle.
I've got an 80A Optifuse in the positive feed to the inverter. If I'm reading my Cantrex Prowatt manual correctly it says I can have a 250A fuse there. It's the 80A that kicks limiting the inverter output.
Has anyone replaced this fuse or have any other thoughts?
Tomorrow morning I'm testing the coffee maker again 😊

[doc73]

I would not do a 250 amp.. 166 amps would make your max output 2000 watts. I'd do a 150/ 155 amp breaker to leave some wiggle room.