Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> RV Electric/Inverter
Post Info TOPIC: RV Electric/Inverter
igotjam


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 461
Date:
RV Electric/Inverter
Permalink  

Before I begin you should know I have a basic electricity knowledge (could wire a house) but get lost with electronics (have trouble setting up entertainment components).  For 10 years fulltiming in 2 5th wheels, have used powered devices (crock pots, 1500 watt space heaters, toasters, hair dryers etc) without incident when connected to 50 amp shore power.  A month ago we purchased a new class C (Renegade Verona) with an inverter.   We don't boondock but I see the advantage of the inverter to keep my fridge going while travelling.  The shore power is split with one half going to a panel that powers the A/C, washer/dryer, and hot water heater.  The other half is everything else (all plugs, microwave, fridge, tvs etc) and powered by the 2000 watt inverter.  If I use 2 or more high wattage devices (Toaster and hair dryer for example) the 2000 watt inverter trips its breaker.   I can understand why but it makes daily life in the rv more complicated than I ever experienced in my non inverter 5ers.  We are Canadian and used to run 2 1500 watt small space heaters in the fall and spring but that is not possible now.   I have discussed this issue with the dealer and had an rv tech with a major electrical background look at my new motorhome.   Both confirm that I can only run one high wattage device in my rv without tripping the inverter breaker.  My thought is to add one more 15 amp breaker to the A/C, washer/dryer panel (there is room) and wire in a plug in.   I could then use a high wattage device on both halfs of my 50 amp shore service.   Before I start punching a hole in  my cabinet for a new plug in, thought I'd ask here if I'm missing something or there might be a simpler solution.



-- Edited by igotjam on Sunday 21st of May 2017 09:10:17 AM



-- Edited by igotjam on Sunday 21st of May 2017 09:11:09 AM

__________________
bjoyce


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:
Permalink  

I have thought of adding a couple non-inverted plugs to my motorhome many times, since our motorhome wiring is similar to yours.



-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 21st of May 2017 09:49:17 AM

__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003
Clay L


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 246
Date:
Permalink  

Many/most inverters have an internal transfer switch and if you turn the inverter off, the outlets powered by the inverter should switch to shore power.

__________________

Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (wife), Katie, Kelli (cats) Full timed for eleven years in a 2004 Sightseer 35N. Snowbirds for one winter and now settled down in CO.
igotjam


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 461
Date:
Permalink  

I am told that when I do this the current still goes through the inverter breaker so I am still limited to only 1 high wattage device.     Good idea though.  I asked the same "can I turn the inverter off or bypass it in some way" question.        Clay L wrote:

Many/most inverters have an internal transfer switch and if you turn the inverter off, the outlets powered by the inverter should switch to shore power.

 



__________________
Barbaraok


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1094
Date:
Permalink  

We have an outlet and some overhead lights that DON NOT run through the inverter. Makes it easy to run front and back heaters without a problem. Bet a good electrician could move one outlet line to the leg not going through the inverter for you.

Barb

__________________

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe

2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID

Blog:  http://www.barbanddave.net

SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834
igotjam


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 461
Date:
Permalink  

UPDATE: Cut a hole in my new maple cabinets to install a receptacle (that was hard to do). Wired it to a new breaker in the non inverted side and can now use more than one high wattage device at a time. Yehhhh! I think rv designers have never lived in an rv.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> RV Electric/Inverter
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us