I just had a Renogy 400 watt solar premium eclipse Kit installed on our 2004 Montana 5th wheel. I had to have it installed because I recently had back surgery. I also had a Renogy 2000 watt inverter/charger installed with my 4 6 volt flooded golf cart battery's. The system is running so nice in my driveway, even charging on a rainy day. But when I plug it into shore power I get power to the A/C and the microwave, but I have to turn the inverter on to get power to the rest of the coach?? So thats not the end of the world but if were boondocking and lets say my inverter fries for some reason, Will I be able to get power from the genorater thru a broke inverter?? Is it normal to have to power up your inverter when plugged into shore power?Thanks

My first thought would be to say no, but, not knowing how your installer wired the unit, its impossible to say. I believe its safest to say that you should ask your installer to go over how to use the new components. My plan was to simply install two new outlets, one in Bedroom area and one at dinette, and if I need power someplace else I get an extension cord.

That was my plan also, two TV'S one plug on kitchen counter and the ceiling fan. But when I picked it up the owner was gone for a week and his son new alot, but not enough. I was happy that they were able to wire the whole trailer for solar or 110 A/C But I don't see why the inverter should be on when plugged into shore power. I don't mind, but like I said if it breaks am I screwed for shore power?Mel

Sounds like you need a transfer switch installed to make it work the way you want.

It all depends on how it was wired. If your installer included an inverter bypass switch you would just throw that if the inverter quit. Or, if your generator transfer switch is installed between the inverter and the coach then the generator would still work fine with a bad inverter.It is normal to have the inverter on to pass power thru it so no problem there.If the generator feeds the inverter input and there is no bypass then yes, you would not be able to run off the gen if the inverter quit.You just need to ask your installer.

Either no transfer switch, so some outlets are connected to shore power and others to the inverter, or perhaps there's a manual transfer switch the installer didn't mention for the outlets connected to the inverter.

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28 Replies

Mel_B_
Explorer
May 29, 2017
It's a Renogy 2000 watt inverter/charger and it has a built in transfer switch. I told the installer to install another in line transfer switch, but he said it was not needed. I'll call him tomorrow hopefully he's back. I've had it on solar since I brought it home last week. Testing it in the driveway. With inverter in the auto mode every outlet has 120 volts AC, when I plug into shore power only the A/C and Microwave have power, until I turn on the inverter and then everthing is AC.
Mel
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
May 29, 2017
For what its worth, your Renogy kit does not come with a transfer switch, so most likely is that the tech that installed the unit ran power from the inverter to the portions of the system you now have power to them, and eliminated the connection to the shore power to those circuits.
If you want the ability to select power source, both Lowes and Home depot sell transfer switch units and kits, basic 30 amp unit would run about $100 - $150 plus installation.
time2roll
Nomad
May 29, 2017
Exactly what inverter was installed?

Operation of any 120v item is independent of the solar charging the battery.

Yes if the right component fails you could be out of luck until the item is fixed depending on what is affected.
mike-s
Explorer
May 29, 2017
Either no transfer switch, so some outlets are connected to shore power and others to the inverter, or perhaps there's a manual transfer switch the installer didn't mention for the outlets connected to the inverter.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
May 29, 2017
It all depends on how it was wired. If your installer included an inverter bypass switch you would just throw that if the inverter quit. Or, if your generator transfer switch is installed between the inverter and the coach then the generator would still work fine with a bad inverter.
It is normal to have the inverter on to pass power thru it so no problem there.
If the generator feeds the inverter input and there is no bypass then yes, you would not be able to run off the gen if the inverter quit.
You just need to ask your installer.
corvettekent
Explorer
May 29, 2017
Sounds like you need a transfer switch installed to make it work the way you want.
Mel_B_
Explorer
May 29, 2017
That was my plan also, two TV'S one plug on kitchen counter and the ceiling fan. But when I picked it up the owner was gone for a week and his son new alot, but not enough. I was happy that they were able to wire the whole trailer for solar or 110 A/C But I don't see why the inverter should be on when plugged into shore power. I don't mind, but like I said if it breaks am I screwed for shore power?
Mel
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
May 29, 2017
My first thought would be to say no, but, not knowing how your installer wired the unit, its impossible to say. I believe its safest to say that you should ask your installer to go over how to use the new components. My plan was to simply install two new outlets, one in Bedroom area and one at dinette, and if I need power someplace else I get an extension cord.

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