kd7skx
Kodiak, AK
New Member
Joined: 07/26/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hello, I tried installing an inverter today and ran into a problem. I got it all wired up on the dc and ac side and when i went to kick on my inverter to send power to the AC wall sockets, it tried to power my camper power inverter, the one that plugs into shore/site power.
Is there a way to wire in the inverter so that it just powers the ac plugs and nothing else?
Thanks
Brian
|
Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi,
It depends.
Do you want to power everything? Or just a few of the receptacles?
What I did with my inverter is feed it from one 20 amp circuit breaker and then feed 2 #12 wires that had been connected to seperate 20 amp breakers. Because I am limited to 20 amps through the inverter, and because the inverter fuse will blow before it makes enough power to damage the #12 gauge 120 volt wiring, everything meets the code.
Another way is to use a 30 or 50 amp transfer switch, and then feed the things you want to power with the inverter from a seperate sub-panel.
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!
Improve a life KangenPowerTeam.com Akaline Water.
I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.
Escapees.com
|
javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
Senior Member
Joined: 03/30/2005
View Profile
|
You need to remove the branch circuit off of the camper power converter that you want to power and connect it to the inverter.
This is what I did but my inveter has it's own auto trasfer switch so it was very easy to do my conversion.
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
Eureka Timberline Tent
Yamaha IF2400isc
Yamaha EF3000iSEBC
"Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It" 
|
mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
Moderator
Joined: 08/26/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
You can always tell when one of the big Rv'er stop by....LOL Remember folks we're talking PU's here with only two circuit breakers and one powers EVERYTHING other than an air conditioner.
First what size inverter are we talking about?
Next, common practice is to use what's called a pass through inverter for permanently wiring 120 volt circuits for use on shore and inverter power. Wiring goes from the 15 amp circuit breaker in the converter to the inverter and then to the outlets. The pass through feature on the inverter only powers the outlets when the shore power is disconnected and does not feed back to the converter; it also allows the shore power to power the outlets when it's connected.
For small inverters that are not designed as pass through you need to dedicate an outlet or outlets to the inverter. So you have a totally seperate circuit without the converter in it and they will only work when the inverter is on.
You must also keep in mind that the draw off of a battery will be apx 11 times the amperage that the appliance will draw on 120 volt AC.
That 1200 watt coffee maker will "try" and draw 100+ amps from the battery. Your basic 100 amp battery will not last long.
blog.rv.net Your daily guide to the Open Road
Subscribe to the daily digest
Want to sell some of your gear? -
Free Classified Listings on RV.Net
They say you learn by your mistakes, in that case I must be a genius.
|
javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
Senior Member
Joined: 03/30/2005
View Profile
|
mike4947 wrote:You can always tell when one of the big Rv'er stop by....LOL Remember folks we're talking PU's here with only two circuit breakers and one powers EVERYTHING other than an air conditioner.
First what size inverter are we talking about?
Next, common practice is to use what's called a pass through inverter for permanently wiring 120 volt circuits for use on shore and inverter power. Wiring goes from the 15 amp circuit breaker in the converter to the inverter and then to the outlets. The pass through feature on the inverter only powers the outlets when the shore power is disconnected and does not feed back to the converter; it also allows the shore power to power the outlets when it's connected.
For small inverters that are not designed as pass through you need to dedicate an outlet or outlets to the inverter. So you have a totally seperate circuit without the converter in it and they will only work when the inverter is on.
You must also keep in mind that the draw off of a battery will be apx 11 times the amperage that the appliance will draw on 120 volt AC.
That 1200 watt coffee maker will "try" and draw 100+ amps from the battery. Your basic 100 amp battery will not last long.
Well then Mike, should I go to the travel trailer Forum and post my reply there since this member has posted the same question there??
LOL!!
|
|
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
kd7skx wrote:Is there a way to wire in the inverter so that it just powers the ac plugs and nothing else?
Yes. You need a transfer switch and if there are multiple circuits you will need a sub panel.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
|
wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
Senior Member
Joined: 02/02/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
For discussion this may help. I just added the inverter where I think it goes - needs verification.
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmeier/images/RVWiring.jpg
I dont mean to be overly picky, but the questions was "Is there a way to wire in the inverter so that it just powers the ac plugs and nothing else?".
To me this excludes ac appliances, microwave, etc, but the receptacles. Maybe the OP did mean just separate AC from DC. I just read it as literal.
To do what the OP asked, your rig has to be wired in such a manner that the non-outlet devices are wired on a different circuit from the outlets. This may well be. I have said before I think when people start modifying the electrical system they should map out their rig from the breaker box panel to identify what circuits are on which breakers.
The only way I know of to do this is check each appliance by turning it on then flip breakers until it goes off. Do the same with a plug-in light to check all outlets. I need to do this for myself - just because I want to know.
I believe having this knowledge would help those who experience breaker tripping can identify how to improve their power management especially in the bathroom and kitches as this is where the power drawing appliances are used (hair dryer, microwave, coffee maker, etc).
* This post was
edited 09/07/08 04:15am by wittmeba *
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
2001 Ford F250 4X4 OffRoad, Auto ESOF, KingCab, ShortBed, Airlift Airbags, DiPricol gauges, SCT-Tuner from DP-Tuners (40/80/120HP), Bilsteins, Reese Slider, Jordan, 2001 30RKFS SunnyBrook w/personal touches.
|
kd7skx
Kodiak, AK
New Member
Joined: 07/26/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I only have one breaker, when I flip that breaker it cuts power to my trailer, but when I tried to turn on my DC to AC inverter it was then in turn trying to power my trailers AC to DC converter. I know this because the converters fan started to spin up and its operating light came on before over powering and tripping off my small inverter. I think I will just designate a single stand alone plug for the inverter. Thanks for the ideas and help.
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
With only one breaker it might be hard to isolate the converter. You could add a switch to the 120 volt feed to the converter. Some plug into a wall outlet and it could just be unplugged. You could also get a new power center with multiple breakers but that is probably more than needed. Just plugging the devices into the inverter is probably the best solution than powering the outlets.
|
red31
Bryan
Full Member
Joined: 08/04/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Those new fangled converters! The older ones have a conv - off - batt switch on them and can be turned off!
All the converters I've seen as a replacement to my 9A magnetak have a main and 3 branchs. And Best Converter says, I get to decide which breaker is use to control the converter.
kd7skx would need to find where the 'power' to the converter is coming from and switch it like previously suggested.
You can always run an extension IN through the mouse hole from the inverter and power whatever you want to!
|
|
|
