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nu2this2's avatar
nu2this2
Explorer
Feb 19, 2021

Inverter Install?

I have a 2000W inverter and wish to use it in my trailer but have questions.

I assume that when the inverter is connected to the batteries, any A/C item plugged to the inverter will be energized. My trailer has an outside shore power receptacle meant to be connected to power supply from a trailer park. A dogleg RV adapter from the trailer,is then connected to the inverter by a heavy duty extension cord. This allows me to bypass the supplied power Am I not now duplicating the A/C from the campground? If so, why don't my A/C outlets work in the trailer:@

I am not electrically versed and am at a total loss.

Thanks for any help.
  • KD4UPL wrote:
    If you plugged your shore power cord directly into your inverter then yes, all the outlets in your RV should have power. You would want to turn off your built in converter (battery charger) when doing this. You would also want to make sure your refrigerator and water heater are set to gas and not electric.
    It sound like you've done this and don't have power. That's just basic troubleshooting. Check for power at the inverter, check for power at the dog bone adapter, check for power in the RV breaker panel, etc.
    You do have a volt meter I hope. If not this is a useless exercise.

    Thank you. I did not plug the shore power cord to the inverter. I had heard the converter would be trying to charge the batteries and I should turn off the circuit breaker. The inverter is working because I ran an extension cord to the TV and 1880W hair dryer independently and they worked perfectly. I noticed the previous owner had circuit breaker labels for "conv" and "batchg". I assumed the built in converter automatically did the charging when needed. I assumed by the label of the previous owner must have had a separate battery charger.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    You need to disconnect your converter when you do what you are trying to do. That converter is sucking some major power from those batteries.
  • Have you tried something besides the RV in the inverter? Just plug a lamp in direct.

    No errors etc on the inverter? Did you check if the inverter GFCI is tripped?
  • 2oldman

    Thank you, what I'm trying to do is emulate shore power(120V) whilst boon docking purpose. My batteries will be charged with my solar system. My inverter is not a charger.

    Sorry I wasn't clear on that.
  • If you plugged your shore power cord directly into your inverter then yes, all the outlets in your RV should have power. You would want to turn off your built in converter (battery charger) when doing this. You would also want to make sure your refrigerator and water heater are set to gas and not electric.
    It sound like you've done this and don't have power. That's just basic troubleshooting. Check for power at the inverter, check for power at the dog bone adapter, check for power in the RV breaker panel, etc.
    You do have a volt meter I hope. If not this is a useless exercise.
  • First, a/c is traditionally used to mean air conditioning. AC is ac power.

    You don't need an inverter when connected to shore power, if I read your post correctly. Now, if your 'inverter' is actually an inverter charger, then it DOES need 120v shore input power to be a battery charger.

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