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Rockinfigs's avatar
Rockinfigs
Explorer
Nov 21, 2019

Still confused about inverter n gen

So I have a 2020 attitude 3218mm..i have a xantrax 1800 pro inverter, 2 solar panels n solar charger. When I bought my rig I took it in to eclipse for some warranty work.. They advised me to turn inverter off before i turn on gen(Onan 5500) n vice versa.. Turn gen off before turning on inverter. Now when this is done it interrupts my outlets which interrupts my TVs while watching. But I've been told I should have a automatic transfer switch built into the inverter n I should be able to leave inverter on while running the gen.

Can anyone with newer attitudes confirm this pls thks
Toy Haulers

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  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Nov 21, 2019
    This is common as the power switching involves relays and they MUST break the connection before making a new connection. This takes 16mS or more plus creates electrical transients so appliances may shut down.

    A dedicated inverter that never switches the AC output is a solution. This will limit the battery charging amps by the amount of the inverter draw.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 21, 2019
    Rockinfigs wrote:
    So I did a Lil test I had the inverter on n turned tv on.. Then I turned on the gen n waited for the gen to convert over.. When it converted over to gen the TV shut off..then I did the opposite.. Had the gen on n inverter turned off.. Had tv on.. Then I turned inverter on n shut down the gen.. Same results
    This is an issue of the transfer switch having power off for a few milliseconds before connecting to the other source of power.

    Not sure what all is connected to what but you could reconfigure things so that you run the tv-satellite-dvd etc full time on inverter power regardless of the generator or utility power status. Basically you need to change the priority so the inverter power always goes direct and is not switched when other sources are presented.
  • Rockinfigs's avatar
    Rockinfigs
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2019
    ependydad wrote:
    Either my transfer switches aren't fast enough or my TVs are too sensitive and the all restart when switching power sources.

    Not much of a problem until my kid was in the middle of a gaming session. :B


    Exactly so yours does the same..what brand inverter do u have?
  • ependydad's avatar
    ependydad
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2019
    Either my transfer switches aren't fast enough or my TVs are too sensitive and the all restart when switching power sources.

    Not much of a problem until my kid was in the middle of a gaming session. :B
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2019
    Rockinfigs wrote:
    Same results
    Yeah, you may have to do what I did.
  • Rockinfigs's avatar
    Rockinfigs
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2019
    So I did a Lil test I had the inverter on n turned tv on.. Then I turned on the gen n waited for the gen to convert over.. When it converted over to gen the TV shut off..then I did the opposite.. Had the gen on n inverter turned off.. Had tv on.. Then I turned inverter on n shut down the gen.. Same results
  • Flute_Man's avatar
    Flute_Man
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2019
    I never turn my inverter off. It stays on whether on shore power or generator. The transfer switch takes care of it. You may call me if you want.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2019
    The transfer switch should take care of that (if it's fast enough), but, my DTV receiver is so sensitive it would shut down during xfer and then there's the 7 minute wait for boot up.

    Since my inverter is never off, I permanently hooked it up to run on inverter, all the time.

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