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skyhawk208's avatar
skyhawk208
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014

Interior oulets

I have a 2010 forest river stealth ss2216 that I just purchased. It's my first rv and I'm still learning all the ins and outs. This might be a stupid question but none of the outlets inside the trailer work on battery power. They only work on shore power or the generator. Is this normal and just mean my trailer isn't equipped with an inverter? Or is it wired like this so you don't drain the batteries through the outlets. Thanks.
  • You don't need a big bank of batteries just because you have an inverter. You DO need a big bank of batteries if you want to run moderate to large AC draw items like toasters, coffee makers, and microwaves. If you just need 120V AC power to run little things like a tv, laptop charger, or dvd player then even a single 12V battery is fine. You will need a way to charge the battery back up though.
  • sounds like your dealer did a poor PDI with you.

    all RV's have a CONVERTER, but not all have INverters. usually only motorhomes come with them from the factory. in towables, it's usually an aftermarket install.

    so, your 110v AC outlets will ONLY work with shore power or a generator. even if you get an inverter, you'd have to have a big bank of batteries to run the outlets.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Horizon, I like your use of contrasting outlets for the inverter, Normally I suggest Red or Orange (Which are emergency colors) but Yellow works well too.

    In my case the inverter is a hard wired with sub panel and power pass through so it works like a UPS for the devices it powers.. Though yesterday.. It failed.. i got to look into that. (Batteries fully charged, no tribbles there at all, but it failed.. Oh well, it records it's failures.
  • skyhawk208 wrote:
    I have a 2010 forest river stealth ss2216 that I just purchased. It's my first rv and I'm still learning all the ins and outs. This might be a stupid question but none of the outlets inside the trailer work on battery power. They only work on shore power or the generator. Is this normal and just mean my trailer isn't equipped with an inverter? Or is it wired like this so you don't drain the batteries through the outlets. Thanks.

    I installed an Inverter in mine (I wish I had bought a 2000 watt).
    I ran separate circuits in YELLOW for the inverter. See picture.
    I leave the outlets plugged into the inverter and If I need 110volts from the batteries I plug the appliance/TV, etc into yellow and turn on the inverter.
    ">Inverter
    ">Duplex 1
    ">Duplex 2
  • RV's have two distinctly different electrical systems. First is 120VAC, and as a general rule consists of all outlets, microwave, AC and refer, basically anything that you might find in your home. The 12VDC electrical systems consist of lights, furnace fan, water heater controls, refer controls. Some RV's offer an inverter, but unless you have a giant battery bank there are very few items that an inverter/battery bank can run without killing the batteries.
    On top of the electrical systems you also have a gas system and a fresh water system, plus holding tanks and a drain system. It does take a lot of time to learn and understand each system. Take them one at a time, get familiar with it and then move to the next system until you are well versed in each one.
  • They should work on generator and shore power only. You probably don't have an inverter

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