pumpshep
Nov 02, 2014Explorer
INVERTER - help
So i have a inverter installed, and i have to run a extension cord to the tv to the inverter, is there any way to plug a cord from the inverter into the wall and have it power all the sockets?
SDurbak wrote:
Well, I had been grounding the inverter to the negative battery terminal, so I switched to grounding it to the trailer tongue of the camper. It didn't make a difference. So, I went to Harbor Freight and bought their 2000/4000 watt inverter, came home and hooked it up exactly the same way as the other one. AND IT WORKED! PERFECTLY! I can even run my microwave! The other inverter is going back to Amazon tomorrow.
So it wasn't anything in the way I was connecting everything, it was just that inverter.
Thanks everyone for your helpful input. I have certainly learned a lot about inverters in the past few days.
SDurbak wrote:
... But, it would be nice to be able to plug in a crockpot, small coffee pot, etc., which is why I am trying the inverter.
SDurbak wrote:ewarnerusa wrote:
Some inverters don't work. I'm not savvy enough to know why. The first inverter I bought was a Samlex MSW 800 watt and it acted the same as you describe. I later saw in the manual where it said to not use it to supply an ac panel. I suppose that is what I was essentially doing. Every other inverter I have owned has worked fine like this though.
Edit: I found my old thread asking about why it wasn't working. There might be some useful knowledge in there. It's funny reading my old comprehension level about this stuff and it was only a couple years ago!
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25837086.cfm
I read through your old thread - WOW - my problem is EXACTLY the same as yours was. I'll try a couple things tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to try a completely different inverter.
SDurbak wrote:John & Angela wrote:
Howdy again. Just want to be sure I understand. With ALL the breakers off the inverter is still loading down as soon as you plug the shore cord in.
Slightly off topic, how many batteries do you have.
Yes - all the breakers are off, including the main breaker. And it is alarming and shutting down. I have two 6V batteries wired in series.
In the wintertime, when the weather is cool enough that I don't need to run the AC, I like to dry camp. I have a 100W solar panel which keeps my batteries well-charged, and I am able to run the fridge on propane, heat on propane, and stove on propane. I have replaced all my lights with LED's so they draw almost no power. But, it would be nice to be able to plug in a crockpot, small coffee pot, etc., which is why I am trying the inverter.