How do I wire in an inverter
To only power the microwave, the outdoor kitchen fridge, and the outlet beside the bed for a cpap? I wouldn't be worried about it normally, but our new trailer has the outdoor kitchen with a fridge...
Forum Discussion
Keep in mind that an inverter uses power even at idle. My PSW Xantrex 2000 uses .8 amps if not powering anything. You will need one this big to run most microwaves.
Here is how I hooked mine up--Inverter is within 3 feet of the batteries using 2-0 cable. Inverter has a duplex outlet on the front. In that outlet are plugged 2ea 9 foot extension cords that will reach my power distribution panel. Behind the distribution panel I install two automatic transfer switches. connected to the ends of the extension cord and to two different breakers. One is connected to the breaker labled "general" which is most of the regular outlets. The other is connected to the GFCI breaker which covers the bathroom and outdoor outlets. The converter has it's on breaker so it is not powered when the inverter is on (more on this later). Same for the microwave. If I must power the microwave, which is rare since I currently only have 3ea group 24 batteries, I use in extension cord to plug it in to one of the outlets powered by the inverter.
The problem with the whole camper being on the inverter, as some have suggested, is the converter MUST be turned off before the inverter is turned on. If not, one of two things will happen. You'll run your batteries down very quickly or the inverter will trip on fault which is what my old setup would do. I would remember to do this most times, wife would never remember to do it.
I also used a remote switch to turn on and off the inverter so I did not have to go outside to the storage compartment to do it.
Here is how I hooked mine up--Inverter is within 3 feet of the batteries using 2-0 cable. Inverter has a duplex outlet on the front. In that outlet are plugged 2ea 9 foot extension cords that will reach my power distribution panel. Behind the distribution panel I install two automatic transfer switches. connected to the ends of the extension cord and to two different breakers. One is connected to the breaker labled "general" which is most of the regular outlets. The other is connected to the GFCI breaker which covers the bathroom and outdoor outlets. The converter has it's on breaker so it is not powered when the inverter is on (more on this later). Same for the microwave. If I must power the microwave, which is rare since I currently only have 3ea group 24 batteries, I use in extension cord to plug it in to one of the outlets powered by the inverter.
The problem with the whole camper being on the inverter, as some have suggested, is the converter MUST be turned off before the inverter is turned on. If not, one of two things will happen. You'll run your batteries down very quickly or the inverter will trip on fault which is what my old setup would do. I would remember to do this most times, wife would never remember to do it.
I also used a remote switch to turn on and off the inverter so I did not have to go outside to the storage compartment to do it.
