Travel Trailer electrical, - Inverter placement/hookup

wolfe10 wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Could install a 30TT receptacle fed from the inverter, adjacent to the shore power cord, plug the cord into it. You must disconnect or turn off the converter.
How are you going to charge the batteries/

I would NOT recommend that.

You only want to enable some outlets/appliances to be able to run on the inverter. Certainly not the roof A/C.

Yes, the "details" on the wiring depend on the inverter you choose. Many have a "pass through" feature, so if it receives 120 VAC from shore power or generator, it does not invert, merely "passes the other source through.

Cleanest way is to either use a sub-panel downstream of the inverter with only those things you want to power from the inverter. Need to move not only the hots, but neutrals and grounds from those circuits.

As you get closer to choosing equipment, give us details on that as well as what battery bank you have and what you want to be able to run when on inverter power/dry camping.

BINGO! When running from the inverter the sub-panel sequesters certain items (like the air conditioner, water heater, onboard converter-charger, refer, as you see fit) from the inverter’s output - this method prevents the ugly, sure to occur event of an inadvertent battery drawdown…Based on your particular enquiry my recommendation would be a pass-thru type pure sine inverter or pass-thru inverter-charger combo (both having a built-in ATS) of at least 2000w (e.g. microwave capable)…JMO

3 tons

Is there any reason I can't just take the wire coming off the breaker for the plugs and it's negative of course, and hook them to my inverter and skip what it seems a lot of people have done?

As I said, I am just looking to power the plugs in the trailer.

I have to look to see if I have the wiring diagram for it and see if the plugs are isolated from everything else or part of another circuit.

TomC71 wrote:
Is there any reason I can't just take the wire coming off the breaker for the plugs and it's negative of course, and hook them to my inverter and skip what it seems a lot of people have done?

As I said, I am just looking to power the plugs in the trailer.

I have to look to see if I have the wiring diagram for it and see if the plugs are isolated from everything else or part of another circuit.

First off, no doubt, just about anything that folks can think up has already been tried (with varying degrees of success and failure…)…The method you suggest (without a ATS) would create a electrical hazard if you forgot the inverter was ON and started the genny or plugged in to shore power, nor would it allow you to run the microwave since it is on its own dedicated circuit…Rules are just a consequence of mistakes - Rather than rely upon memory, you should plan on having an approved means of isolating the inverter from shore and genny power.

3 tons

3 tons wrote:

TomC71 wrote:
Is there any reason I can't just take the wire coming off the breaker for the plugs and it's negative of course, and hook them to my inverter and skip what it seems a lot of people have done?

As I said, I am just looking to power the plugs in the trailer.

I have to look to see if I have the wiring diagram for it and see if the plugs are isolated from everything else or part of another circuit.

First off, no doubt, just about anything that folks can think up has already been tried (with varying degrees of success and failure…)…The method you suggest (without a ATS) would create a electrical hazard if you forgot the inverter was ON and started the genny or plugged in to shore power, nor would it allow you to run the microwave since it is on its own dedicated circuit…Rules are just a consequence of mistakes - Rather than rely upon memory, you should plan on having an approved means of isolating the inverter from shore and genny power.

3 tons

This was the sort of thing I was referring to when I mentioned people making assumptions.

We've lived in a travel trailer since last year, 100% off grid. We do not use a microwave, don't use the furnace, A/C unit and don't have any high power draws at all. We power our lights, radio and charge our phones, tablet, laptop and internet hub. Our 'new' trailer, is the same year, just a slightly different configuration of trailer. It doesn't even have a roof top AC/furnace unit in it.

That was why I said I was looking for a way to power the AC plugs (which is not the A/C plug...)

I want the AC plugs working so we can plug our phone/tablet/laptop in to them to charge them.

As for the multiple comments about 'forgetting it' when hooking it up to shore power, either with a generator or shore line, we have literally never, not even once, hooked either to our trailer. The very, very rare occurrence (twice last winter), when we used our generator, it was to charge the batteries up when we had a few too many cloudy days in a row.

I added another 15-amp breaker to my breaker panel. I connected a 12-gauge cable to the breaker and ran this to my 2000-watt inverter. The inverter back feeds the panel and it will power up everything I want it to. Not the "correct" way to do it but it works fine and does everything I need it to.

Krusty wrote:
I added another 15-amp breaker to my breaker panel. I connected a 12-gauge cable to the breaker and ran this to my 2000-watt inverter. The inverter back feeds the panel and it will power up everything I want it to. Not the "correct" way to do it but it works fine and does everything I need it to.

I hope you remember to turn off that breaker before connecting to shore power.

TomC71 wrote:

3 tons wrote:

TomC71 wrote:
Is there any reason I can't just take the wire coming off the breaker for the plugs and it's negative of course, and hook them to my inverter and skip what it seems a lot of people have done?

As I said, I am just looking to power the plugs in the trailer.

I have to look to see if I have the wiring diagram for it and see if the plugs are isolated from everything else or part of another circuit.

First off, no doubt, just about anything that folks can think up has already been tried (with varying degrees of success and failure…)…The method you suggest (without a ATS) would create a electrical hazard if you forgot the inverter was ON and started the genny or plugged in to shore power, nor would it allow you to run the microwave since it is on its own dedicated circuit…Rules are just a consequence of mistakes - Rather than rely upon memory, you should plan on having an approved means of isolating the inverter from shore and genny power.

3 tons

This was the sort of thing I was referring to when I mentioned people making assumptions.

Huh?? I don’t get your unwarranted admonishment??….Recall the old sage advice regarding ‘assumptions’, and you should consider that this goes in both directions!! - Given such a limited but evolving description, are others to merely assume your specific scenario, or level of competence - Really??… Either way, you’re very welcome (lol!), and I’m sticking with the previous advice for the larger audience as follows,

“Rather than rely upon memory, you should plan on having an approved means of isolating the inverter from shore and genny power.”

3 tons

3 tons wrote:
Recall the old sage advice regarding ‘assumptions’, and you should consider that this goes in both directions!! - Given such a limited but evolving description, are others to merely assume your specific scenario, or level of competence - Really??… Either way, you’re very welcome (lol!), and I’m sticking with the previous advice for the larger audience as follows,

“Rather than rely upon memory, you should plan on having an approved means of isolating the inverter from shore and genny power.”

3 tons

You already DID make assumptions, as did others. Now when I clarify why those assumptions are totally wrong and pointless, you whine?

Have you ever tried asking questions instead of making assumptions?

"Hey Tom, what are you planning on powering through the plugs?", "Do you ever plan on being hooked to shore power?", "Could you tell us more about your set up?"

Or you could, as you did, assume you know everything you need to and offer suggestions based on those incorrect assumptions.

All I can say is WOW!

I would tell you how I installed my two inverters but I assume you already know.

How long is this string?

I didn't come here for a flame war, so you people who like to do that will now just be blocked.