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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> RV Electric/Inverter
Post Info TOPIC: RV Electric/Inverter
igotjam


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RV Electric/Inverter
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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

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bjoyce


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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

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Clay L


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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.

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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


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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.

 



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Barbaraok


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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

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igotjam


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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.

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