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TenOC's avatar
TenOC
Nomad
Oct 30, 2023

Solar inverter -- shore power question

I am trying to understand a residential refrigerator with solar panels. When I connect to full hookup does the refrigerator continue to run through the inverter or does it bypass the inverter and connect to shore power only? Let me see if I can make my question a little clear. Does the shore power charge the battery than the current flows from the battery to the inverter to the refrigerator? Or when connected to shore power is the inverter automatically disconnected from the circuit.


I assume that when connected to shore power, (or a portable generator) the shore power not the solar panels is the primary method charging the battery bank. I also assume that when towing down the road the tow truck alternator and the solar panels are each charging the battery back.
Seeking Advice
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 30, 2023
    TenOC My inverter includes a built in autoformer. Many other inverters include a transfer switch.

    I don't love transfer switches.

    My solar 'plays well' with shore power, generator power and power from alternator via a dc to DC charger.

    What make and model of inverter do you have?
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 31, 2023
    pianotuna wrote:


    What make and model of inverter do you have?


    I do not have any solar now. But, the new to us RV that we are thinking about buying has a residential refrigerator. We do a lot of Boondocking or dry camping and the refrigerator may be a deal beaker.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 06, 2023
    TenOC wrote:
    I assume that when connected to shore power, (or a portable generator) the shore power not the solar panels is the primary method charging the battery bank. I also assume that when towing down the road the tow truck alternator and the solar panels are each charging the battery back.
    Generally this is correct depending on equipment. Having multiple charging sources is not an issue.
  • agwill's avatar
    agwill
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2023
    When hooked up to shore power on most RV's the power goes to a transfer switch which powers the converter that makes 12 volts to charge the battery. 110 volt ac is sent to everything that uses 110 volt ac. When not hooked up to 110 volt ac the solar panels are used to charge the battery. The battery is then connected to the inverter and produces 110 volt ac to supply 110 volt ac power to the ac outlets and fridge.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Oct 30, 2023
    Said a different way as Agwill.

    When hooked to shore power the inverter is out of the loop and the shore power runs the refrigerator.

    When not on shore power the batteries feed the inverter that powers the refrigerator.
  • Cptnvideo's avatar
    Cptnvideo
    Nomad
    Nov 05, 2023
    We full time, do a fair amount of boondocking, have solar and a residential fridge. All 110 VAC circuits are tied directly to the inverter.
    To answer your question, it depends on the inverter. Ours is an inverter/charger with pass thru. So all 110 circuits are tied to the inverter and when on shore power, the inverter passes the shore power thru. (Our OEM converter is unplugged, solar is the only thing charging the batteries unless I turn on the charger portion of the inverter - which is hardly ever.)
    We have an after market Whirlpool 20cf fridge and we draw a little over 200ah overnight while boondocking (TV, fridge, lights, microwave, etc), so just make sure you have enough battery capacity if you go with the rig you are looking at.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 05, 2023
    Hi TenOC,

    Start with an energy audit.

    The fridge may need a fairly large solar installation, and a good size battery bank.

    Do you still have an RV at the moment?

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