Solar panel system- Inveter to shore power??

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to go straight into the inverter (mine doesn't have a built in transfer switch) ill be sure to unplug the converter. Ill let you guys know how it goes!

theoldwizard1 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
I choose to plug in the shore power cord to the inverter.

This may not be "elegant", but it is by far the simplest and probably the safest method !

That's how I'm doing too. I routed a 120v outdoor receptacle to the outside of the trailer and just plug the shore cord into that.

pianotuna wrote:
I choose to plug in the shore power cord to the inverter.

This may not be "elegant", but it is by far the simplest and probably the safest method !

You need a second transfer switch if you want to hard wire in the inverter.

The way mine is set up is a second small transfer switch wired inline that to a single 20 amp breaker on the breaker box and feeds 4 or 5 outlets around the motorhome (2000 watt Xantrex Prowatt SW inverter which is model without a built in transfer switch). The transfer switch in question is http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/default/inline-transfer-relay.aspx

There are several options. If the inverter has a transfer switch built in, you can connect it basically inline with one or two circuits in the RV. That's probably the simplest and most straightforward approach if it's possible.

If that's not a possibility, you can indeed plug the shore power cord into the inverter output, but that requires you to remember to turn various things off and on when you use the inverter. You definitely want to turn off the converter, most likely the fridge (or set it to propane only), definitely the air conditioner, and definitely the electric water heater if you have one. That's a lot of stuff to remember. Connecting it to a transfer switch at the power input is basically the same in this regard. (You can't use the existing transfer switch unless you disconnect the generator from it entirely. It is possible to chain together two transfer siwtches to make what amounts to a three-input transfer switch.)

Some people just install or rewire some outlets that are dedicated only to the inverter. If you don't plan on using the microwave with it, this can be workable. Even if plugged into shore power, you can always use these outlets and if the load is not too great not run down the battery (the converter powering the inverter).

Finally, you can add a transfer switch and a subpanel that is switched. Things that can or should run from the inverter get connected to this subpanel, and things that should not are connected to the main electric panel. This probably involves the most rewiring, but the end result is probably the most convenient to work with.

I choose to plug in the shore power cord to the inverter.

To make that work, I leave my converter unplugged and set the fridge to propane.

It is possible to get sophisticated and add a sub panel with a transfer switch to automate the switch over.