Disabling the converter charger when using the inverter

Fubeca wrote:
Why use the converter at all if you have a good inverter/charger? It will automatically switch to charging the batteries when 120V input is detected.

Thanks for the question. The FW wasn't setup with the inverter or a decent battery bank - just the converter with single stage charger & a 12 volt deep cycle battery for the brakes and lights.

I sealed the front compartment, added more vents, replaced the 12 volt battery with 4 - 6 volt GC ones and installed a TrippLite 2kW inverter with more bells & whistles than I'll ever use on the other side of the "new" battery compartment bulkhead (which was originally just a cargo net). Initially I just ran a couple of hidden extension cords from the inverter for the TV/DirecTV DVR and another for the waterpik at the sink. When dry camping, I'd recharge the batteries with a 2kW Yamaha for a few hours and then watch TV and clean my tooth as usual.

However, the limited 110 volt access was becoming a nuisance but the simple solution of running the shore power cable (30 amp) to the inverter created the situation where the batteries were charging themselves via the converter. The converter was a Parallax 7355 which I upgraded to the WFCO Ultra III 9800 with 3 stage charger. The posts from rickeoni and wa8yxm got me pointed in the right direction of putting a switch in the positive wire from the converter to its battery charger. Before I did this, I checked with Randy at BestConverter.com who confirmed it was okay and done many times.

When dry camping now, I just plug the shore power cable into the inverter, turn off the new switch to disable the converter charger and run everything normally except for AC & MW. Still have to use the Yammy to charge the batteries via the inverter's battery charger and we're good to go. With shore power, I turn on the converter's battery charger using my new switch and its business as usual except the inverter is not used.

Sorry for the long answer and hopefully it makes sense. Please let me know if it doesn't answer your question.

Mike

And thanks to everyone who replied to my question.

Thanks everyone,

I put a toggle switch on the front of the converter that controls the power to the battery charger:

Photo

There was enough room behind the cover for the switch but the hardest part was finding a switch with a short enough toggle arm so the converter door would close. This works great but I plan on replacing the switch with a heavier rated one when I can find one - just to be extra safe.

It would have been easier with an extra circuit breaker slot but then I wouldn't have anything to complain about.

Why use the converter at all if you have a good inverter/charger? It will automatically switch to charging the batteries when 120V input is detected.

Actually, a easy solution for this is to install a simple 120v 18A relay from Amazon with "Normally Closed" contacts. Link to Amazon part is below. Costs less than $8. Got a pre-stripped lamp cord from Walmart for $3.50 and plugged it into the inverter and use it a to energize relay coil. and then switched the black wire on the converter outlet via the relay so that when the inverter is on, converter is off.

It sounds complicated, buts its really very easy and foolproof. You will never have both on at the same time and no manual switching necessary. Buy a cheap j-box and blank cover to protect it. Less than $15 for everything

Amazon Relay

wa8yxm wrote:
Two types of converters.. 3 solutoins

2.2 In some cases the same breaker also feeds other things.. In this case <--- that's the way mine is

Find the wire that feeds the converter 120 volts (Go for the black one)...Cut or disconnect it (Disconnect is best either end)...Using the same gauge wire run a lead up to a switch/outlet type box you put nearby....Black lead on that cable goes to the breaker, or to the end of the disconnected wire (Connect properly,, Wire Nut and tape both is good) I solder and tape) <---- thank you - thats what I was considering but wasn't able to ask so eloquently..

Thanks everyone and I'll report back when its done. Youse guys are the best.

Two types of converters.. 3 solutoins

1: Plug in (What I have) Unplug
2.1: Integrated or hard wired (Two different designs one solution)
Usually there is a dedicated circuit breaker.. TURN IT OFF
2.2 In some cases the same breaker also feeds other things.. In this case

Find the wire that feeds the converter 120 volts (Go for the black one)

Cut or disconnect it (Disconnect is best either end)

Using the same gauge wire run a lead up to a switch/outlet type box you put nearby.

Black lead on that cable goes to the breaker, or to the end of the disconnected wire (Connect properly,, Wire Nut and tape both is good) I solder and tape)

White wire gets black paint or heatshrink on the ends and goes to the converter (or to the wire as above if you disconnected from the breaker)

Common household light switch on the switch/outlet box end of the wire

Brother P-Touch to label switch (PLEASE) and job is done.

No one mentioned the "automatic transfer switch" (ATS) being another way to go, but still not fool proof,.....unless you add a "sub panel" separating the circuits you don't want on inverter, such as Fridge, water heater etc. And then when its all said and done, you will wish you took the "KIS" method, ...simple, inexpensive, and completely fool proof.
Just run a new 15 amp 120v circuit from a small inverter to the few items you want on inverter, and leave them on inverter permanently. You will be happy you did

I having been doing this for years with no problem. I added a breaker for the charger on the power center, flick it off, plug shore cable into inverter and voila power to all ac in camper. As far as all 12 volt items still being powered, they would be anyway even if you weren't plugged in.

good read here

Click here.

OK, yall have me thinking. I'll have to run through the wiring in the morning and see what goes where.

Thanks for the comments because they help me to understand what I'm up against.

depends on where the converter is located in the electrical circuit
IF it is in the power center, you just disconnected ALL fused 12vdc running from the power center

if the converter is a stand alone separate item from the power center, then you might be okay
BUT it still would have been a better idea to disconnect the 120v to the converter
because it is still going to have power going to the input circuits , even though not charging the battery, it will still be using and wasting battery inverter power .. just not as much