Good day all,Have an inverter than is wired to a separate circuit than runs just the entertainment area 1500w off 2 6volt batteries. ( thought this would be least drain on batteries )Question is how do I wire this into the main circuit so when hooked to shore power this is active without damaging the inverter.Read something about a shunt, but that is beyond my basic electrical knowledge.Any suggestions ideas are appreciated.

You will need a transfer switch.

That kind of magic requires a transfer switch.

Was hoping you would not say that, as I already am putting one in to have 2 shore power connections to the coach...Do they make a smaller version of transfer switches since this is only one circuit? All I see are these larger boxes for 100$ and seems like overkill for one circuit.

Nutinelse2do wrote: I already am putting one in to have 2 shore power connections to the coach...t? All I see are these larger boxes for 100$ and seems like overkill for one circuit.I think you should elaborate a bit more on what you're doing. I've never heard of anyone installing 2 shore connections with a xfer switch.And speaking of overkill, 1500w is way overkill for an entertainment center. The absolute simplest way to protect an inverter, plus have the entire coach powered by it, is to plug your shore power cord into it.

Why not just run wires from the converter to the batteries (fused near the batteries) to keep them charged and let them continue supplying power to the inverter? You can also put a disconnect on the hot wire so you can turn that wire off so those batteries won't also power the rest of the house when not on shore power.

Electrical question/suggestions | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
enblethen wrote:
Make and model of the inverter wouls help.
Some larger inverters have a built in trancfer switch.

Now I am getting even more confused... The inverter is a Cobra-CPI-1575. You mean if I get a inverter with a transfer switch built in my problem is solved?
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
2oldman wrote:
Nutinelse2do wrote:
I already am putting one in to have 2 shore power connections to the coach...t? All I see are these larger boxes for 100$ and seems like overkill for one circuit.
I think you should elaborate a bit more on what you're doing. I've never heard of anyone installing 2 shore connections with a xfer switch.

And speaking of overkill, 1500w is way overkill for an entertainment center.

The absolute simplest way to protect an inverter, plus have the entire coach powered by it, is to plug your shore power cord into it.

We have a 50amp service in the back left corner of the coach. I am installing a 30amp 50ft cord mid ship so its closer to shore power and is able to plug into generator. Was advised not to have an open plug to the 50amp plug so I am installing a transfer switch so if I ever do need the 50amp, no harm will come.

Sorry for the confusion, I have only basic knowledge of electrical and feel kind silly asking these questions.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 29, 2013
Make and model of the inverter wouls help.
Some larger inverters have a built in trancfer switch.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Sep 29, 2013
Why not just run wires from the converter to the batteries (fused near the batteries) to keep them charged and let them continue supplying power to the inverter? You can also put a disconnect on the hot wire so you can turn that wire off so those batteries won't also power the rest of the house when not on shore power.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2013
Nutinelse2do wrote:
I already am putting one in to have 2 shore power connections to the coach...t? All I see are these larger boxes for 100$ and seems like overkill for one circuit.
I think you should elaborate a bit more on what you're doing. I've never heard of anyone installing 2 shore connections with a xfer switch.

And speaking of overkill, 1500w is way overkill for an entertainment center.

The absolute simplest way to protect an inverter, plus have the entire coach powered by it, is to plug your shore power cord into it.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
Was hoping you would not say that, as I already am putting one in to have 2 shore power connections to the coach...

Do they make a smaller version of transfer switches since this is only one circuit? All I see are these larger boxes for 100$ and seems like overkill for one circuit.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2013
That kind of magic requires a transfer switch.
camperpaul
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
You will need a transfer switch.

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Electrical question/suggestions

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