how to turn off converter easily

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The exception is folks who have dual battery banks with switching to allow using one bank while charging the other. It would be rare to do so--but I can do it.

It would allow me to get to 100% state of charge on a battery bank--or to equalize.

Another exception: With a large inverter in your tow vehicle, you could charge the trailer batteries using a standard 120V extension cord rather than heavy gauge wire at 12V.

Hi wa8yxm,

Yup, you do get more hours with the both setting. I know why, too.

I chose to use perko switches so I can do all off, A, B and A+B.

The solar charging is switched in the same manner as are the alternator charging circuits.

It is rare for me to operate from one bank only, and still more rare to run from one and charge the other.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The exception is folks who have dual battery banks with switching to allow using one bank while charging the other. It would be rare to do so--but I can do it.

It would allow me to get to 100% state of charge on a battery bank--or to equalize.

Yup, it also runs your batteries down faster..

Did you know if you have two identical battery banks and set the switch to "A" and when they run down "B" you get so many hours of operation

But if you simply set the switch to "BOTH" you get MORE hours of operation????

I even known why.

Hi,

My choice was whole house.

I do have one outlet in the kitchen area that is powered by only the inverter.

Before I had the Magnum hybrid inverter I often used double conversion to allow me to use more amps than the shore power supply could provide.

I believe it is best to have as many options as possible so I use male and female plugs for connecting.

wolfe10 wrote:

shooted wrote:
Hi Brett,

The OP as well as MikeinOregons post referenced plugging the shore power cord into the inverter output. Assuming the converter is powered from the distribution center that the inverter is powering, it will be necessary to shut it off or otherwise isolate it.

Totally agree-- that is what I posted immediately above, just in different words.

I suspect everyone agrees-- an inverter should NEVER power a converter. At least until someone invents a "perpetual motion machine".

I did not realize he was plugging the complete RV thru his Inverter. So, YES, you MUST disconnect the Power to the Converter. There is no such thing as free power(using the Inverter to power a converter). Doug

I bought a 300 watt inverter to only power my dish and tv during quiet hours ( no generators) I wired a power strip with an on/off switch directly to the inverter. The power bar is in the cabinet with the dish receiver and tv. I kill the power to both using the power bar on/off sw. The dish receiver will generate heat when in the off mode (standby) if you don't kill the power cord.

Hi,

The exception is folks who have dual battery banks with switching to allow using one bank while charging the other. It would be rare to do so--but I can do it.

It would allow me to get to 100% state of charge on a battery bank--or to equalize.

shooted wrote:
Hi Brett,

The OP as well as MikeinOregons post referenced plugging the shore power cord into the inverter output. Assuming the converter is powered from the distribution center that the inverter is powering, it will be necessary to shut it off or otherwise isolate it.

Totally agree-- that is what I posted immediately above, just in different words.

I suspect everyone agrees-- an inverter should NEVER power a converter. At least until someone invents a "perpetual motion machine".

Hi Brett,

The OP as well as MikeinOregons post referenced plugging the shore power cord into the inverter output. Assuming the converter is powered from the distribution center that the inverter is powering, it will be necessary to shut it off or otherwise isolate it.

shooted wrote:
To operate the inverter in this manner the converter must be shut off. It is unclear to me why it was stated otherwise.

MikeInOregon wrote:
I'm interested in connecting my shore power cord to the inverter (not inverter/charger), but I'm confused by two conflicting statements in this thread about the converter being turned off. Which is correct?

dougrainer wrote:
So, you are using a INVERTER only? Not a Inverter/Charger? If so, you do NOT need to disconnect the Power Converter.

BFL13 wrote:
You do need to cut the 120v to the converter soon after you plug the shore cord into the inverter or lose a bunch of AHs in a hurry, but you won't break anything.

The reason for various answers here is that there is no "here is how all inverters are wired".

Just a few of the possibilities for inverter output:

Receptacle that allows shore power cord to be plugged and theoretically could power any circuit or appliance it and your battery bank are able to support. Clearly if this is the case, the converter would have to be turned off to prevent the closed loop with each device turning battery stored energy into HEAT as well as electrical power.

Powering some outlets in the RV. IF the converter is on one of these circuits, yes, you would have to switch it off.

Powering some outlets in the RV, but NOT powering the converter-- no problem.

Bottom line answer is "it depends on how it is wired".

As a side note if you choose option A (plug shore power cord into inverter output): To prevent rapid battery depletion and/or an overload situation, you would need to turn off the breakers for any high-amp draws such as roof A/C, electric water heater element, etc. Too easy in the middle of the night when you wake up to a warm interior to forget you are not on shore power and reach up to turn on the roof A/C-- something you need to prevent. Too easy for the water heater 120 VAC element to be left on which would quickly deplete the batteries or overload the inverter.