how to turn off converter easily

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.