One large inverter or 2-3 small ones?
So as I get closer to adding solar (or at least a larger battery bank) to my RV, I have more questions than I started with! Big thanks to the folks who have helped me along so far. I found a great...
Forum Discussion
Just Jeff wrote:
What I don't understand is, if I plan to use the shore power cable into the inverter trick, how are the batteries charged when the shore power is plugged into the pedestal? I'm picturing the batteries connecting to the inverter only. Do I also run a wire from the converter back to the batteries? And that's why I have to remember to always turn off the converter when I plug the shore cable into the inverter? (That would be a long DC run for where my converter currently is.)
One more question - if the shore cable is on the inverter, and the converter is turned off, is there any power to the 12v lights and outlets?
When the main cord is plugged into a 120v power source power goes to the converter and charges the battery.
If the cord is plugged into the inverter it will create a power loop where the batteries power the inverter, inverter powers the cord, cord powers the converter, converter charges battery, battery supplies power to the inverter. Round and round it goes until the battery is dead from conversion losses. The trick is to disable the loop by turning off the converter. When plugged into an external power source (pedestal) you turn the converter back on. If converter is on a separate breaker it is real simple.
If the converter is off then everything runs from 12v battery power.
All things 12v run direct off the battery when not plugged in or converter is "off" (same thing).
