Hello All- 1st time post!I'm attempting to wire an inverter into my coach outlets on my 1999 Born Free 24RB.What I'm trying to do is install the inverter on a transfer switch to the outlets circuit only, as I will not be powering the microwave or A/C from the inverter.This has all gotten a bit more complicated than perhaps it needs to be and I may be posting more about it later, but for this specific question-I'd like to mount the inverter in a cabinet and don't want to ahve to use the power button on the inverter to turn it on and off. Since I had a hard time finding a 12v switch rated to 100 amps (1200 watts @ 12vdc) I had the idea to install a solenoid on the power line and switch that.It seems like it will work but now I'm worried that if I leave it on overnight the solenoid itself will draw power to remain "closed".This will be an issue since I usually leave my cell phone and laptop on charge overnight- if the solenoid is drawing much power it will be a long time drag on the battery for little benefit.Maybe I should try hard to find a mount for the inverter where I can reach its power button easily.Any advice appreciated!

What inverter are you installing?Very much doubt that you would want to switch the large-gauge feed from the battery. Most have an on-off switch on the inverter.Some have built-in transfer switch (often called "pass through"). If not, then, yes you will need a separate ATS or manual switch.You will be separating out both hot and neutral for those outlets.

I can see running the microwave off inverter but not the A/C.Some inverters have a low voltage remote to turn them on and off. The relay is inside the inverter.Example of inverter with remote

X2 on getting one with a remote control...problem solved and you can mount the inverter close to your batteries. Charge you cell phone with a 12V cigarette plug charger.

Some 1000w inverters have remote on/off switches but you have to find a route for the remote's wire to where you mount the switch. Doesn't the cabinet the inverter will be in have a door? (it will need good air venting to keep the inverter cool)Powering only the receptacles can be achieved easily if the converter is not on that same 120v circuit like it often is. So first remove the converter from that circuit somehow. Give it a different breaker on the AC panel or else give it its own switch on the converter's black wire to the breaker it shares with the receptacles' circuit. Next is the television that is plugged into a receptacle. When it is turned off it is still on in standby, so plug it and the dvd player into a power bar that has its own switch and plug that into the receptacle. Now you can kill the TV while using other receptacles.You can just plug your shore power cable via adapters to the inverter's receptacle to get the receptacles to go live. If you don't want the microwave to be used, or other circuits, just turn off their breakers. You don't have to do it all with transfer switches and sub-panels etc. Put the fridge and water heater on propane.The draw from an inverter on standby is fairly trivial depending on the camping scenario/situation so you could just leave it on, depending.

I chose to use a pair of these: https://www.amazon.com/Volt-Battery-Disconnect-Kill-Switch/dp/B007O0BBFMIf you still wish to do a relay look for one that is "latching". I.E. applying power moves the contacts and then when power is turned off the relay keeps sending power to the device you wish to power.

Solenoid as relay question- install inverter | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Feb 16, 2018
Will a cell phone use enough power to bring the MS 300w out of sleep mode?
RasMouSein
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
I did not see you talk about high amps devices.You could do like i'm about to install.
Get the Morningstar 300w Inverter pure sine, NO fan, automatic on/off. I will have dedicated outlet at each bed, table, and tv area. It will power all of my electronics needs. So for me I'll always have top notch power for my electronics even when plug at the campground.
eastbay
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
I wanted to update/close this topic for now-

After the good advice offered here I did reconsider (chickened out) and decided to stay with the inverter plugged in to the cigarette lighter/extension cord route for awhile longer.

I also invested in a 12v macbook charger, so now everything can be charged off 12v.

Someday I very well may rework it to power all the outlets but I'll do it with an inverter with a built in transfer switch and remote on/off.

Thanks again for the help- very informative!
Tom_M1
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
wolfe10 wrote:
So, in the Born Free, how difficult would it be to run new 120 VAC wires from the inverter to the one or two outlets you want to be able to power off the inverter.

Again, could install an additional "inverter-fed" outlet OR just wire it to, say, the upper half of the outlet.
On mine, the converter/breaker center is located below the kitchen sink. There is one duplex receptacle below the sink that would be easy to hook up. But with my inverter hooked up to most of my outlets via the transfer relay, it's much more convenient.
full_mosey
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
If your inverter has an on-off switch, you can extend the switch wiring with something like bell wire and relocate the switch to a convenient spot. I used a double gang box to hold an outlet and a switch side by side.

Automatic? Does your inverter have a standby mode?

HTH;
John
centerline
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
eastbay wrote:
Hello All- 1st time post!

I'm attempting to wire an inverter into my coach outlets on my 1999 Born Free 24RB.

What I'm trying to do is install the inverter on a transfer switch to the outlets circuit only, as I will not be powering the microwave or A/C from the inverter.

This has all gotten a bit more complicated than perhaps it needs to be and I may be posting more about it later, but for this specific question-

I'd like to mount the inverter in a cabinet and don't want to ahve to use the power button on the inverter to turn it on and off. Since I had a hard time finding a 12v switch rated to 100 amps (1200 watts @ 12vdc) I had the idea to install a solenoid on the power line and switch that.

It seems like it will work but now I'm worried that if I leave it on overnight the solenoid itself will draw power to remain "closed".

This will be an issue since I usually leave my cell phone and laptop on charge overnight- if the solenoid is drawing much power it will be a long time drag on the battery for little benefit.

Maybe I should try hard to find a mount for the inverter where I can reach its power button easily.

Any advice appreciated!

in an attempt to save you a rude awakening after installing the inverter, I would suggest you install a couple usb power outlets from your DC system to charge your phone and laptop...

Im not saying an inverter isnt handy at times, but for what you want to do it isnt practical...
most people use their inverter to run the microwave and/or the tv, but even a 12volt tv will be over twice as energy efficient than a 120v tv being run thru an inverter.

but if you insist on an inverter for your needs, and want something "automatic", you will be spending a bit more money on an inverter.. do a search for load sensing inverters...
wolfe10
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
So, in the Born Free, how difficult would it be to run new 120 VAC wires from the inverter to the one or two outlets you want to be able to power off the inverter.

Again, could install an additional "inverter-fed" outlet OR just wire it to, say, the upper half of the outlet.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
Just as an example...

I love having my whole house inverter. Everything is powered by it, including the MW and AC.

I never turn the inverter "off" unless the trailer is in storage. Parasite AC and DC loads are about 10 amps combined. This is including television, various chargers, a small server, WiFi and cellular radios, COLP alarm, etc. A 400 amp-hour battery bank means I don't have to scrimp.

If I stop at a rest area for a lunch break on a hot day I can fire up the AC, microwave some pizza rolls and watch TV for an hour, without messing around with the generator. Getting back on the road, I'll start the generator in the truck bed and put back the electricity used.
Tom_M1
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
Welcome fellow Born Free owner. I did what you are trying to do by wiring in a 30 amp relay into the circuit feeding the outlets. I used a DPDT 30 amp 120 volt relay that I purchased at Grainger. Here's the schematic:

You will need to mount the relay in an electrical box. Then disconnect the Romex at the breaker for the outlets and connect that to the relay. Run a length of Romex from the relay back to the breaker.

A couldn't find the relay I used, but here's a suitable 40 amp one:
https://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-120VAC-5X847

My 300 watt inverter has provisions for a remote switch which I wired up. It may be possible to wire in a remote switch on your existing inverter. You will have to open up your inverter and see how the switch is wired. If it's a simple SPST switch, you can solder wires onto the terminals and extend the switch to where you need it.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 04, 2018
AMAZON

USE THIS

Fimco 12V Wireless Remote Control
3.6 out of 5 stars 84 customer reviews
| 55 answered questions
Price: $25.39

To On/Off
The magnetic coil
Of THIS

PAC PAC-80 80-Amp Relay Battery Isolator
by PAC
$13.35

Would be effective to control up to a 750 watt rated inverter.

And it would be all wireless. Have something plugged into an outlet to glow and when it glows you know your inverter is ON.

Piece of cake. The big relay could care less which polarity goes into and out of the two magnetic coil terminals.

I just tested some 150 and 200 amp continuous solenoids (relays) and their coils consume under one amp of current. So the White Rogers listed above should be around a 3/4 amp draw.

I've done this a dozen times at least so it is reality not theory.