? Inverter Ques

Our RV came with a Xantrex Prowatt SW2000 Inverter factory installed. It's only connected to our "residential" style fridge. The setup also included a Xantrex transfer switch, 4 house batteries, and one chassis battery (to start the rig).

The only time I run ours is when we are traveling. I typically run the generator too, but until I recently replaced the carburetor, it wasn't very reliable.

I shut the engine and generator off when refueling. By leaving the inverter on, the transfer switch keeps power to the fridge from the inverter.

Once we are connected to shore power, I typically shut it off. But I have experience power outages at campgrounds, so I might start leaving it on until we get home.

Leaving your inverter on won't hurt it, but it can waste battery power if you don't need it. As for the wear and tear on the inverter, I have this same model connected to my home solar setup. It's been running 24/7/365 since 2012.

An inverter strictly speaking converts DC to AC. If by the term inverter you mean uninterruptable power supply (UPS) this will include your energy storage (i.e batteries) then you will not have power when you need it if you turn it off since you are not keeping the batteries charged. If your system maintains available DC power without the inverter (i.e. batteries charged by wind or solar or even a separate rectifier connected to the regular AC power) you can turn it off and turn it on only when you actually need it. inverterreview.com

Well,
I'll be the different one. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP has an Inverter/Charger. It was a Dimensions 2000 Watt unit but, after 11 years, the charging side gave up the ghost. So, we purchased a Magnum ME2012. It's the same specs, an Inverter/Charger, 2000 watt. It powers up, every single outlet in the coach.
But, we NEVER have it or turn it on, unless we need it. I guess we're just not the worrying types. If the power goes out, we'll figure it out when the time comes. If, we're watching TV and using the Genny, which means the Inverter is off, we'll turn it on and shut down the Genny. When we're done watching what we want or, are tired and want to go to bed, off goes the TV and the inverter.

We've been doing it that way, for almost 8 years since we purchased it. So far, we've not had one single issue operating this way. By the way, if the batteries are turned off, the charging side of that inverter still charges the house AND the chassis batteries.
Scott

If it is an inverter/charger you may wish to leave it on when ever you are plugged into shore power. When not on shore power, turn it on when you wish to have 120 volt power.

If it is a stand alone unit, then turn it on when you wish to have 120 volt power while not plugged into shore power.

There are several differnt ways invertes are installed. A couple of different types and a couple of on /off switches..

Now some RV's have a small inverter for TV /RADIO use. this likely is a pass through model designed to be left on all the time (unless the RV is in storage mode) it goes into "Standby" if shore power is present

Some may have a 'Stand alone' inverter that only makes 120 volts out of 12 nothing else. no pass through Turn off if not needed.

I have a Inverter Charger (my 2nd)
The first on had a master ON/OFF/Remote Switch (The big red one I call it) and if this was OFF or if in remote and the remote switch OFF it was OFF! and I Mean OFF and nothing down line worked NO battery charging. NO power to loads

THe new one .. I'm not sure what happens if I turn it off (have only done it once by accident) if you have shore power (I did not at the time) but since it too is an inverter/charger I leave it ON all the time..

BANG NO POWER (Car hit that big stick just outside the RV park and down came the power lines).. Televisions and computers did not even blink.. THey never knew iot because the inverter is in UPS mode and kicked in instantly. When power wa restored the box outside went 1-2-3--171-172 CLUNK and the inverter went back to Standby mode and once again TV's and Computers did not even blink.

stand alone inverter added by previous owner

combo inverter/charger OEM from the factory

there are operational differences between the two

whole house, or only some circuits ... again differences

how many batteries do you have

brand and model n umber of the inverter ?

Yup, no "one correct answer" to this one.

If you leave it on, if you are not on shore power or generator, anything on any of the circuits fed by the inverter will begin drawing from the batteries. Good if you happen to be watching TV. REALLY BAD if you have a space heater plugged into one of those outlets as it could ruin a very expensive battery bank if shore power goes out.

And when no shore power or generator, even if there is nothing operating, the inverter takes a small amount of power in "stand-by mode". So, when storing where no power, be sure to turn it off.

In general I only leave it on when I want it to use my battery power to run 120 VAC appliances.

You don't mention what motorhome you have as that might affect some answers. We typically leave our inverter on 100% of the time. This is because I hate resetting the time on my microwave which doesn't happen when the inverter is on. As stated above, the inverter converts battery power from 12v DC to 120v AC when you are not plugged into shore power. When you unplug, the inverter keeps 120v power onto certain outlets in the coach which does drain the batteries. However, when you drive the coach or run your generator, the batteries are recharged. If you are trying to conserve fuel while boondocking, you can shut off the inverter, rather than recharging with the genny, or you can leave it on as a convenience, but keep an eye on the battery level and run the genny when it gets low. You should develop a system to best use the various resources you have available as you see fit. It is no different for your genny, your fuel, your fresh water, your batteries, you gray and black tank capacity, etc. Living in a motorhome with many options is a learning experience and you should get better at it as you use it. There is no standard answer to your question such as "YES" to turning off your inverter.

My inverter is on all the time. Never shut if off.
If and when we loose shore power it takes over automatically.

No only ON when needed to use -ie when you have no electrical hookups. Your inverter takes 12V battery stored power and converts it to 110V so things like your TV can be used off battery power. Beware of using things that draw a lot of power so you don’t discharge your batteries to less than 50% before recharging(lithium batteries recharge level is different) . Inverters are great but just beware of your stored battery capacity and usage. We use ours when boondocking but monitoring is key to long term success.