Inverter help--only powering GFI

ScottG wrote:
The converter is usually connected to the "main" breaker in the panel. Problem is, other things are connected to it as well.
Many of us add a power switch to turn off the converter for that kind of thing. I used a 20A light switch and placed it next to the converter.

NOTE: Nothing is connected to the "main" breaker. It is used ONLY to transfer power from the shore power cable to the breaker box. It is wired exactly the opposite of all the other breakers. Power is supplied to the screw holding the hot wire, and the breaker allows that power to flow to the breaker box. All other breakers have power supplied by the breaker box, then the breaker allows the power to flow to the screw holding the wire. If something truly was connected to the "main" breaker, it would have no breaker protection except the power pedestal. It would be wired directly to the shore power cord.

Literally everything powered in the RV then connects to another breaker in the breaker box.

Thanks guys worked like a champ. Converter now on my W/H circuit. Bought a new breaker too...I'll wire it in one of these days.

lxapilot wrote:
I have the wfco wf-8900 which may make things more difficult. I didn't realize some rigs have separate converters.

Pull the cover off so you see all the 120v wires.
One of the breakers will have two wires that are attached. One is the branch circuit and the other is the converter. You need to cut this wire and put the converter on a separate breaker than can be off. 20 minute job max.

I have the wfco wf-8900 which may make things more difficult. I didn't realize some rigs have separate converters.

Add a breaker just for the converter. Possibly move the converter to the W/H as that can be off while inverting or generating.

I'm connecting by plugging my shore power cord into my inverter (2000w pure sine). I only have 6 breakers...Main, Gen, A/C, W/H, Mic, and GFi. When I turn the gen breaker on the fan runs in my converter as well. I guess I should look into a switch. How do you just unplug the converter?

How are you connecting the RV to the inverter? I simply use my shore power cord, turn off the converter (or unplug it), set the fridge on propane, and turn the water heater off.

I just run a good multi-tap receptacle extension cord from the inverter. Mine has two 120VAC receptacles on it so I run one extension cord setup to the home entertainment area and the other extension cord setup to the bedroom area night table area.


Keeps me from wiring in a transfer switch arrangement and dealing with GFI faults because the INVERTER is not BONDED between the NEUTRAL and GROUND connections..... If I use an RV30A-15A adapter and plug my shore power cable into my 600WATT Inverter my GFI receptacles in the trailer trips. Too much drama for me as i only want to use the Inverter for powering up my Home Entertainment items and some cell phone/computer chargers etc and a couple of other emergency must have on low wattage items.

My extension cords are out of site and run behind things. The only thing visible is the multi-tap extension cord receptacle mounted on the back of a table top. Everybody knows this is on 24/7 and is a PURE SINE WAVE Inverter so no harm will ever come to to things plugged into it. My PSW Inverter is a 600WATT AIMS model $149 from AMAZON.

Roy Ken

you have fifth wheel ?
it has got to have more than two circuit breakers, sound like that breaker is the manual transfer switch
to switch between shore power and generator
that should be OFF, you should be hooked up the same as shore power

using inverter same as SP, converter will still be on unless you turn off the regular circuit breaker or install a switch, you might have another GFI, someplace

The converter is usually connected to the "main" breaker in the panel. Problem is, other things are connected to it as well.
Many of us add a power switch to turn off the converter for that kind of thing. I used a 20A light switch and placed it next to the converter.