Inverter Question
Searched various threads pertaining to "inverter installations". Obviously, the installs range from simple to elaborate. The most simple seems to involve wiring an inverter to the battery and simp...
Forum Discussion
Appreciate everybody's inputs!
I'm aware that without investing in a huge bank of batteries one cannot run high current devices, or run low/moderate current devices for long periods of time. In addition, to conserve every bit of battery power, one should make sure the converter is off, and the water heater and frig are both running in gas mode. Plus, I'm also aware that devices with higher current drain may deplete the battery very quickly, requiring repeated recharging of the battery (via generator or shore power).
FWIW, my TT's breaker panel has individual breakers for the a/c, microwave, converter, GFCI outlets, and frig. When running on inverter, my plan is to turn off all the breakers except the breaker for the GFCI outlets. However, like any plan, it's open to failure. This leads me back to the two concerns which I mentioned in my original post (resulting from the failure to turn off applicable breakers): 1) overload, because I tried to inadvertently use the a/c or microwave, and 2) leaving the converter on with the TT external power cord connected to the inverter. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems the general consensus is that neither one of the two aforementioned scenarios will damage the a/c, microwave, converter, or inverter.
From my perspective, the simplest inverter installation would use alligator clips to connect an inverter to the battery and extension cords to run power from the inverter to small appliances inside the TT. A bit crude, but it works. What I would like to do is reduce this clutter of wires without a complex install. I'd like to permanently hardwire the inverter to the battery (with suitable heavy gauge wire), then run some romex or equivalent from the inverter output to an AC receptacle mounted outside (near the frame area), directly underneath the TT's outside power input receptacle.
When I need power, I simply plug the TT's power cord into the appropriate power source: inverter (via frame mounted receptacle below the TT outside receptacle), generator, or shore power.
Have I missed anything? Especially from a safety perspective?
Thanks again for everyone's input!
I'm aware that without investing in a huge bank of batteries one cannot run high current devices, or run low/moderate current devices for long periods of time. In addition, to conserve every bit of battery power, one should make sure the converter is off, and the water heater and frig are both running in gas mode. Plus, I'm also aware that devices with higher current drain may deplete the battery very quickly, requiring repeated recharging of the battery (via generator or shore power).
FWIW, my TT's breaker panel has individual breakers for the a/c, microwave, converter, GFCI outlets, and frig. When running on inverter, my plan is to turn off all the breakers except the breaker for the GFCI outlets. However, like any plan, it's open to failure. This leads me back to the two concerns which I mentioned in my original post (resulting from the failure to turn off applicable breakers): 1) overload, because I tried to inadvertently use the a/c or microwave, and 2) leaving the converter on with the TT external power cord connected to the inverter. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems the general consensus is that neither one of the two aforementioned scenarios will damage the a/c, microwave, converter, or inverter.
From my perspective, the simplest inverter installation would use alligator clips to connect an inverter to the battery and extension cords to run power from the inverter to small appliances inside the TT. A bit crude, but it works. What I would like to do is reduce this clutter of wires without a complex install. I'd like to permanently hardwire the inverter to the battery (with suitable heavy gauge wire), then run some romex or equivalent from the inverter output to an AC receptacle mounted outside (near the frame area), directly underneath the TT's outside power input receptacle.
When I need power, I simply plug the TT's power cord into the appropriate power source: inverter (via frame mounted receptacle below the TT outside receptacle), generator, or shore power.
Have I missed anything? Especially from a safety perspective?
Thanks again for everyone's input!
