I bought a new fifth wheel last year and it did not have the inverter included so I negotiated that as part of the deal.. When I pickup to the fifth wheel, they didn't have time to install it, they just gave me the inverter and days to have a local dealer install it and they would pay me back. Which I had the local dealer install it and they actually did pay me back. My fifth wheel had an Onan 4000 installed as well.So I went camping once last year after it was installed and noticed it didn't power any electrical outlets. I would have thought a $500 install would have included wiring it to the panel to power the outlets. It's in the shop now and I asked them about it, they said I would need a bigger inverter to power the outlets. I'm like, it's a 2000 amp inverter, it should be plenty big. And installing it where I need to run an extension cord is dumb. They also said I can't run it to the go power solar panel control, because that had a button to turn the inverter on and off. I boondock one 5 night trip a year and a couple 3 night trips, so a running inverter is pretty useful.Please let me know your thoughts.

2001400ex wrote:..it didn't power any electrical outlets. I would have thought a $500 install would have included wiring it to the panel to power the outlets. It's in the shop now and I asked them about it, they said I would need a bigger inverter to power the outlets. I'm like, it's a 2000 amp inverter,.Bummer. I've never talked to an RV shop that knew much about inverters, and unless you tell them exactly what you want, it's a crapshoot. What kind of wire did they use to connect it to the batteries? (assuming they even did that.) Kinda surprised you took it back to the same shop.A bigger inverter to power the outlets? That's nonsense, unless you run your coffee maker and toaster at the same time. Sounds like all they did was hook it to the battery and you plug into it. That actually works ok, but you gotta turn off a few things, like the converter and the water heater. And you use your RV cord, not an extension cord... again, assuming that will reach.I'm like, it's a 2000 WATT inverter. Too bad you didn't ask here first. Oh well...

We had a 2000 watt inverter and Onan Generator installed after market. The installer added a second breaker box and breakers. Most of the outlets and maybe the microwave (can't remember) were redirected from the main breaker box to the auxillary box.A few of the outlets were not "redirected" to the new breaker box.It did not carry much of a load for any length of time. Further investigation showed that the wire used from inverter to batteries was not the proper size. The installer cut corners by installing the wrong size wire (#6) . . . it wasn't heavy enough. The manuals specify that "00" size wire should to be used, but he either didn't read the manual or didn't think we'd notice!

to have it wired to the outlets also means there needs to be a transfer switch to switch between shore power/generator and the inverter. you do NOT want to ever have inverter and generator/shore power connected to the outlets at the same time.!!!You also need to have it wired so the converter (charger) is NOT connected when the inverter is running. Otherwise the converter tries to charge the battery from the inverter connected to the batteries. Not good!When I installed mine, I added a subpanel and transfer switch. On the inverter, a 1000W sine wave, the inverter via the subpanel is only connected to outlets and microwave. will not power the fridge, converter, AC or water heater.

jcpainter wrote: Further investigation showed that the wire used from generator to inverter was not the proper size. I don't understand.. why a wire there?

You and the dealer negotiated for an inverter and installation. You paid...he/she provided the equipment but didn’t install. Give the dealer another chance. If they won’t, have it done right and sue them. All this is documented, correct? Not oral I hope.

Inverter install by dealer | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

jcpainter
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018
2oldman wrote:
jcpainter wrote:
Further investigation showed that the wire used from generator to inverter was not the proper size.
I don't understand.. why a wire there?

OMGoodness, how embarrassing. My mind was thinking one thing and my fingers typed something else. The wire was from the inverter to the batteries, not the generator. They used #6 wire and it should have been #00.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 21, 2018
Nope. Just 300 watts.

Yes it just powers a tv, dvd, Chromebook and other small items as needed. Has run the fridge when the propane would not ignite.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Apr 21, 2018
time2roll wrote:
How is the inverter wired? How many batteries? What size 12v wire?

Does it just sit there and you have to plug in the main cord?

Otherwise you need to pull wire and install a transfer switch and remote if you want push button power.

Ok to post some pictures.

BTW my 300 watt inverter powers the outlets just fine. Dealer is full of it or does not understand electricity.

Hope you mean 3000 watt not 300. a 300 watt inverter might power a laptop, not much else... Sort of like the Op with a 2000 amp inverter If he has that he must have a portable power generation plant.:E
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 21, 2018
How is the inverter wired? How many batteries? What size 12v wire?

Does it just sit there and you have to plug in the main cord?

Otherwise you need to pull wire and install a transfer switch and remote if you want push button power.

Ok to post some pictures.

BTW my 300 watt inverter powers the outlets just fine. Dealer is full of it or does not understand electricity.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2018
You and the dealer negotiated for an inverter and installation. You paid...he/she provided the equipment but didn’t install. Give the dealer another chance. If they won’t, have it done right and sue them. All this is documented, correct? Not oral I hope.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2018
jcpainter wrote:
Further investigation showed that the wire used from generator to inverter was not the proper size.
I don't understand.. why a wire there?
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2018
to have it wired to the outlets also means there needs to be a transfer switch to switch between shore power/generator and the inverter. you do NOT want to ever have inverter and generator/shore power connected to the outlets at the same time.!!!

You also need to have it wired so the converter (charger) is NOT connected when the inverter is running. Otherwise the converter tries to charge the battery from the inverter connected to the batteries. Not good!

When I installed mine, I added a subpanel and transfer switch. On the inverter, a 1000W sine wave, the inverter via the subpanel is only connected to outlets and microwave. will not power the fridge, converter, AC or water heater.
jcpainter
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018
We had a 2000 watt inverter and Onan Generator installed after market. The installer added a second breaker box and breakers. Most of the outlets and maybe the microwave (can't remember) were redirected from the main breaker box to the auxillary box.

A few of the outlets were not "redirected" to the new breaker box.

It did not carry much of a load for any length of time. Further investigation showed that the wire used from inverter to batteries was not the proper size. The installer cut corners by installing the wrong size wire (#6) . . . it wasn't heavy enough. The manuals specify that "00" size wire should to be used, but he either didn't read the manual or didn't think we'd notice!
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2018
2001400ex wrote:
..it didn't power any electrical outlets. I would have thought a $500 install would have included wiring it to the panel to power the outlets. It's in the shop now and I asked them about it, they said I would need a bigger inverter to power the outlets. I'm like, it's a 2000 amp inverter,.
Bummer. I've never talked to an RV shop that knew much about inverters, and unless you tell them exactly what you want, it's a crapshoot. What kind of wire did they use to connect it to the batteries? (assuming they even did that.) Kinda surprised you took it back to the same shop.

A bigger inverter to power the outlets? That's nonsense, unless you run your coffee maker and toaster at the same time. Sounds like all they did was hook it to the battery and you plug into it. That actually works ok, but you gotta turn off a few things, like the converter and the water heater. And you use your RV cord, not an extension cord... again, assuming that will reach.

I'm like, it's a 2000 WATT inverter. Too bad you didn't ask here first. Oh well...

Forum Discussion

Inverter install by dealer

39 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Inverter install

Inverter installation question.

Inverter installation question

Inverter Install?

Self Install vs. dealer/technician install