I am installing a Cobra 800 watt inverter in my fifth wheel. I wired it so that one circuit on my shore power panel has the option of either shore power or inverter power. When I tested the circuit on inverter power my outlet tester shows my hot and common wires are reversed. I traced all my wiring and dont see where anything is wrong. When I plug the tester into inverter itself it tells me the hot and the common are reversed and there is no ground connection.I spoke with the tecs at Cobra and they say that is just the way it is configured and that a circuit tester will throw error codes but not to worry about it.Does this make sense to any of you experts out there?

Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

2oldman wrote:Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.Then it wont damage my computer?

The only part I can comment on for sure is that the ground will show open because it is not tied to the common.It would be interesting to know why the hot and common are reversed.EDIT: I just checked the one in my truck and it only shows hot and common reversed. Probably because both are floating above ground.

rtate wrote:2oldman wrote:Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.Then it wont damage my computer?not due to what we're talking about. I'm not familiar with cobra inverters as far as running computers however. When in unfamiliar territory it's wise to try something you won't mind destroying.

I have the common and the ground from the inverter tied into the common and ground on the rv and switch the hot from shore power and the inverter. Any problem with that setup?

Inverter throwing error codes. Mfg. says ok? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 16, 2013
moved from technology
rtate
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
rtate wrote:
I have the common and the ground from the inverter tied into the common and ground on the rv and switch the hot from shore power and the inverter. Any problem with that setup?

With my circuit tester telling me the common and the hot were reversed, I was afraid I might be sending current into the ground of my rv. From what I am being told I assume that is not the case? Anyone have any thoughts on this?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 16, 2013
Hi,

My Cobra also does not work correctly with a polarity tester. Situation: normal.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 16, 2013
2oldman wrote:
rtate wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

Then it wont damage my computer?
no

We've been running our laptops off it for nearly 10 years without any problems. And the bricks don't care about MSW either.
rtate
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I have the common and the ground from the inverter tied into the common and ground on the rv and switch the hot from shore power and the inverter. Any problem with that setup?
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2013
rtate wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

Then it wont damage my computer?
not due to what we're talking about. I'm not familiar with cobra inverters as far as running computers however. When in unfamiliar territory it's wise to try something you won't mind destroying.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 16, 2013
The only part I can comment on for sure is that the ground will show open because it is not tied to the common.
It would be interesting to know why the hot and common are reversed.

EDIT: I just checked the one in my truck and it only shows hot and common reversed. Probably because both are floating above ground.
rtate
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
2oldman wrote:
Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

Then it wont damage my computer?
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2013
Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

Forum Discussion

Inverter throwing error codes. Mfg. says ok?

19 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Inverter install

Onan starts and dies, throws Code 3

2012 Ram 3500 throwing a P0191 code

Double pole Double Throw Switch For inverter

Throwing in the towel