power inverter install questions

pbmazda32 wrote:
i dont want to wire it so my inverter is powering the charger that charges the batteries. that would just create a loop of wasted power (heat from the inverter)

Simple solution - turn the converter off. :R

That's the way my inverter is wired. I use a transfer switch to switch between shore power and inverter power. If you have 50A service you will need power to both legs from your inverter at your breaker box. I also installed a relay to prevent AC, water heater, battery charger and microwave from coming on when running off inverter.

When I ran a 32 inch TV from a 400 watt inverter, I had to use the TV on low brightness (which was just fine) or the extra wattage would cause the internal fan in the inverter to come on. I never checked to see what the extra wattage might be to run the fan, likely very minimal compared to the actual load.

I use to power our TV with a 150 watt MSW inverter, last year I installed a 2000 watt PSW inverter. Yes the big inverter will draw a few more watts but not enough to make a difference. I do have four 6 volt batteries to run this new inverter.

Sure it is. Whole house or whole coach typically is what it's called. You'll want a transfer switch, either internal to the inverter or external.

It's debatable on power consumption between a huge inverter and a tiny one on the same load. That's not comparing apples to apples, as the huge inverter typically has more protection circuits, monitoring features, etc, that all cost power. if you could find a tiny inverter with all those same features, I think we'd see the power usage pretty close.

Don't think you can run a huge inverter off the same battery that powers a tiny one. you want at least four batteries for anything 2000w and above, in my humble opinion.