I recently picked up a Gopower 300W inverter and am in the process of installing. Connecting to the DC side is pretty straightforward but the AC side I'm not so sure of. Above my batteries I have a Progressive Dynamics 5100 automatic transfer relay. Can I tap in here to power all of my AC outlets, and if so where should I be looking to tap in? My second question is in regards to the dedicated ground connection on the unit. Do I need to hook that up in an RV application? I was watching a video from GoPower on Youtube and they made it sound like it was only used in residential applications not really for mobile.

Yes you can tap into the transfer switch, that is how most inverters are installed in Class As, the only issue is your inverter is too small to do that should really have it only powering a couple of outlets. Also I believe the recommended installation is to NOT have them in the same compartment as the battery and the battery fumes combined with the electronics could cause and explosion or the fumes could cause the inverter to go bad. The ground is recommended but only if your trailer is not using the frame as a common negative circuit.

I turn off the converter, water heater, and set the fridge to propane. Then I plug the shore power cord into the 120 volt side of the inverter.

A 300WATT INVERTER is NOT going to be large enough to do anything but perhaps drive your Home Entertainment items and some Computer and Cell phone chargers etc... It is alot of effort to pair out the 120VAC Circuit to either run off of Shore power or Emergency Power or Inverters... I would be thinking if it was large 3000WATT Inverter setup it would be worth the effort.INVERTERS are also very BATTERY DEPENDENT. They consume alot of battery power when being used. Check your install manual for how 12VDC current it will draw when being used at full power. Probably around 25 AMPS... This may require a min of 255AHs Battery Capacity to make it through ONE night. This is almost the amount of DC CURRENT we draw from our batteries with our 600WATT Inverter for some 120VAC items and some Battery direct connected for all the thing we want to use in ONE night in our off-road camping. This drops my 255AH Capacity Battery bank down to 12.0VDC over nite which is right at 50% power. I never allow the battery bank to below this number so that I won't do damage to my batteries before the get re-charge as soon as possible. If it was me I would just plug in a coupe of multi-head 120VAC Extension Cords and run one to the Home Entertainment area and the other to the night stand next to your bed.I also don't think the GO POWER INVERTER you have is a PURE SINE WAVE model which means you may have to watch real close what you plug into it. The consensus is anything ELECTRONIC requires a PURE SINE WAVE type Inverter to be 100% safe. Electronic items like to go up in BLUE SMOKE the instant you plug them in. Anything that uses a Electronic Module controller is definitely prone to damage. The best approach is just always use a PURE SINE WAVE model Inverter and never worry what anyone else will plug into them... The Early PSW INVERTER were alot more expensive but that not so much true anymore. My DUTY 600WATT INVERTER is a PSW Model and only cost $149 from AMAZON.I am still using my original three GP24 12VDc Interstate 85AH Batteries installed in 2008. I originally had 4ea Interstate batteries but boiled out battery fluids on one which shorted internally before I realized I needed a smart mode charging systemJust my thoughts here based on camping off the power grid alot for the past five years or so... I'm sure others will tell you differently... Everyone has their unique experiences on what works for them. Roy Ken

That transfer switch is already in use, MFG do not install unused equipmentWhat are you going to disconnect so you can connect the inverterThe generator or your shore powerYou cannot just tie it to an existing used inputThe moment that input becomes hot from shore power or generator , it would destroy the inverter and possibly burn down the RVYou need to install a second auxiliary transfer switch,Or perhaps run a dedicated circuit from the inverter to the items you wish to power

It is a pure sine. Only plan on using it to run my TV (~50W) my sons Xbox and for charging of small electronic devices.I'm running dual 6v batteries and have 160W solar.

Inverter install ? | Good Sam Community

MrWizard
Moderator
May 12, 2015
exactly, unplug and run generator

skmetter and i disagreed about the transfer switch

i believe "caution" is the safer action
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 11, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Last question (I think...) is if I need to run the gennny to power the Micro or AC do I need to disable the inverter or disconnect it from the shore power chord beforehand?

When I do that, I shut the inverter off, plug the shore cord into the genny, and turn everything else back on inside the converter/charger panel. This will start to charge your battery back up.
time2roll
Nomad
May 11, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Last question (I think...) is if I need to run the gennny to power the Micro or AC do I need to disable the inverter or disconnect it from the shore power chord beforehand?
The transfer switch will disconnect utility cord and inverter.
No need to unplug.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 11, 2015
Depends on the transfer switch
Buy it's a vet good idea to unplug the door cord from the inverter just as you would from shore power
A sticky contact in the transfer switch could cause the destruction of the inverter
Better to run a dedicated circuit from the inverter and not use the shore power cord in the inverter
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 11, 2015
My generator is onboard hard wired into the transfer switch.

What would happen if I left the inverter on with shore power chord connected and then started the generator and ran either micro or AC? Would the transfer switch properly handle that or continue to try to power the large items off of the shore power input(inverter)?
MrWizard
Moderator
May 11, 2015
to use microwave or A/C
you will need to plug your shore cord into shore power or generator
this means you unplug it from the inverter

you do not need to do any thing else with the inverter except
turn it off, since it does not need to be on, when using generator

of course SP or generator is when you will want to turn on the Converter and charge the batteries
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 11, 2015
Last question (I think...) is if I need to run the gennny to power the Micro or AC do I need to disable the inverter or disconnect it from the shore power chord beforehand?
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 11, 2015
OK got it figured out. Unit is Progressive Dynamics PD4000 combined converter and distribution center. Yes the 30A breaker on the far left is the main 120v into the unit. The far right 15A powers the converter only. So no need to install a separate switch.

Got everything hooked up on the inverter and plugged in the shore power chord. I'm now watching TV off the grid!!! Put a Kill-O-Watt meter on the inverter output and its reading 50-55w which is right where the TV is rated. I left the microwave plugged in as it doesn't look to be consuming any measurable amount of power
westend
Explorer
May 10, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
I found the 30A breaker on the far left disables the converter but it also disables all of the 120v circuits as well.
The 30 amp breaker is the main breaker for all your 120 V. It interrupts power to all of the other circuit breakers.

I'd suggest to find what mfg and model of distribution panel/converter you have, download the wiring schematic, and install a switch in the converter circuit. You have a space on the panel distribution face plate to install a toggle or rocker switch for the converter's AC input wiring.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 10, 2015
Hi N-Trouble,

Add an in line switch to the power feed for the converter.

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