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Old 12-26-2015, 01:48 PM   #1
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Inverter Install

Hello,
I would like to install an inverter and plug my shore power cord into the inverter. I know I will have to shut off the converter, so it will not charge the batteries in a continuous loop. I know this set up will power all my AC receptacles. I am wondering about the DC powered water pump, and lights? Will they still work as long as I leave the battery switch in the on position?

Thanks
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Old 12-26-2015, 02:33 PM   #2
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That's not exactly how this works.
Please research the proper way to use an inverter.


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Old 12-26-2015, 03:12 PM   #3
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A inverter uses the battery 12dc and turns it to 110vac.
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Old 12-26-2015, 03:21 PM   #4
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And your point? That's why I want to plug the shore power cord of the motorhome into it.
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Old 12-26-2015, 03:30 PM   #5
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So what you want to do is power the shore power cord off the batteries in your coach via an inverter?

If that a what I understand there is a easier way I'd you have an open breaker in the power center. Hook the inverter to your 12vdc batteries and run the 110vac cord to the breaker box. Hook the black to the breaker, white to the neutral buds bar and ground to the ground bus bar. This will be an aux power source. So simply leave the main off, turn on the aux breaker and turn on the inverter
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Old 12-26-2015, 03:31 PM   #6
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How many 110v circuits do you have for your outlets? In our trailer, all the outlets are on one circuit which makes for a pretty simple inverter install. If you research a subpanel setup you will see a common setup for a hard wired inverter setup.


By using that subpanel concept, but only wiring into one circuit it gets easier. You just spice into the outlet circuit after it comes out of the panel and install your inverter & transfer switch. The transfer switch passes power through to the circuit when shore power is available and automatically kicks on to supply power from the battery when shore power isn't present.


That avoids having to turn the converter off. Plus in your original concept, you are powering your fridge on battery unless you manually switch it to gas. Plus you would be powering your microwave and AC circuits. If somebody accidentally flipped the AC switch you could have real issues. You would really need to turn the AC circuit off before using your proposed "whole house" setup.
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Old 12-26-2015, 03:31 PM   #7
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Yes, DC water pump and lights will still works until battery (or batteries) voltage is too low to support.
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Old 12-26-2015, 04:33 PM   #8
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What size inverter?
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Old 12-26-2015, 04:37 PM   #9
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Does the OP's RV have the battery capacity to do what he wants?
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Old 12-26-2015, 05:06 PM   #10
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Samlex PST 1500-12, 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries. I just want to be able to watch a little TV at night and make coffee in the morning, without generator noise. I also have a 120 watt portable solar panel , with 10 amp, built in controller.inverter is hard wire able.

Thank You
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Old 12-26-2015, 05:11 PM   #11
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Stove top perc and With 1 group 31, using a 400 watt psw, can watch tv till threr's noth'n to watch
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Old 12-26-2015, 06:08 PM   #12
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Why don't you just wire an inverter directly to the batteries?

That's what I did. A 400w inverter, for the tv, dvd and recharging electronic devices. Mounted the inverter on the tv cabinet.

Took me about 30 minutes.
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:13 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Why don't you just wire an inverter directly to the batteries?

That's what I did. A 400w inverter, for the tv, dvd and recharging electronic devices. Mounted the inverter on the tv cabinet.

Took me about 30 minutes.
The inverter will be wired to the batteries, that's where it gets power from. I am talking about the AC side, I want to plug the shore power cord into the AC receptacle on the inverter to energize all the AC circuits in the coach. that way, everything can stay plugged in where it is, inverter is out of sight, no extension cords.
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:31 PM   #14
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How many amps is 1500 watts? Do you have the adaptor?
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:34 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Leprechauner View Post
Hello,
I would like to install an inverter and plug my shore power cord into the inverter. I know I will have to shut off the converter, so it will not charge the batteries in a continuous loop. I know this set up will power all my AC receptacles. I am wondering about the DC powered water pump, and lights? Will they still work as long as I leave the battery switch in the on position?

Thanks
To answer your question... yes the 12v side of things will work fine as long as there is current in the battery.

People have been cautioning you on the 110v side because that's not a 'typical' way to use an inverter and also because of your comment of charging the batteries in a continuous loop. Even if you left the converter on, it doesn't work that way to charge the batteries.

As long as you turn off all breakers but the recepticales the inverter will supply 110v through the shore power cord. You will just need to be aware of the total load you try to pull through the outlets. Hopefully the model inverter you chose has internal overload protection. Hooked up as you mention... the flip of a wrong breaker or switch could let the smoke out of it.
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:37 PM   #16
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Hopefully it's a 30 amp service
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:40 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leprechauner View Post
I want to plug the shore power cord into the AC receptacle on the inverter to energize all the AC circuits in the coach. that way, everything can stay plugged in where it is, inverter is out of sight, no extension cords.
That will work, but instead of swapping where things are plugged in you have to get into the AC panel and turn off circuits.

I installed an 1800 watt inverter with a built in transfer switch and a remote panel in the front pass through in a day. I just needed one circuit powered, but you could run 2-3 with a small subpanel. No cords to mess with, no breakers to turn on and off. Easy, automatic, and I can monitor everything from the remote panel. I put the solar charge controller right next to it so I can see everything in one place and I love running everything with no generator. Just my opinion, a much better way to go than plugging the main cord into the inverter.
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:46 PM   #18
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and also because of your comment of charging the batteries in a continuous loop. Even if you left the converter on, it doesn't work that way to charge the batteries.
Not sure what you mean here. If you are inverting battery power to 110V and feeding back through the shore power cord, you would be powering the converter (if not turned off as the OP stated) which would be trying to charge your batteries with your batteries, which is waste of battery power.
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Old 12-26-2015, 08:59 PM   #19
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My point was you can't hook a converter to the battery/inverter (by plugging the shore cable to it) and have it charge the batteries in what the OP referred to as 'continuous loop'. I don't believe an endless power source has been invented yet.
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Old 12-26-2015, 09:25 PM   #20
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My point was you can't hook a converter to the battery/inverter (by plugging the shore cable to it) and have it charge the batteries in what the OP referred to as 'continuous loop'. I don't believe an endless power source has been invented yet.
converter will be shut off, batteries will be charged via solar panel, generator on cloudy days
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