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Crushedstang50's avatar
Crushedstang50
Explorer
Jan 11, 2020

Ultimate power inverter/charger question

Hello all!
I have a question for all of you more experienced than I in the RV area.
I just picked up a ultimate power 3000 watt pure sine inverter/charger (up12/3000pcul) for just a stupid cheap amount. I was researching 4 stage converter/chargers when I ran across it.
I know it is way more inverter than I need for my 30amp outback 23rs but at the price I could not pass it up with a 4 stage charger built in.
My question is... with it can't I just bypass my stock converter/charger. Wire the new inverter to the shore power line in. Then hard wire the output from the inverter/charger back to the breaker panel?
And of course my rig batteries to the 12v side of the inverter/charger.
Thanks in advance!
Derek
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 11, 2020
    Most of us just leave the existing converter in place but disconnected.

    Why?

    1. back up charger
    2. wire size to a 3000 watt inverter/charger is going to be huge, compared to the oem converter.
    3. location needs to be as close to the battery bank as possible, without being in the same compartment.

    I chose to use plugs so I can bypass the inverter/charger if need be.

    Why?

    Because some GFI outlets "hate" the inverter charger and trip more or less instantly.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 11, 2020
    It's imperative you turn off your existing converter. If not, your inverter will be running it, trying to charge the batteries while inverting from same.

    Be sure to disconnect the 120v side.
  • Crushedstang50's avatar
    Crushedstang50
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2020
    Yes my plan was to just disconnect the stock coverter/charger. Then run the 120v wire from the shore power plug up to the inverter/charger in the front compartment so it was close to the battery bank. Then run the output 120v back to the breaker panel. If that would work how big of 120v cable do you think would be safe? To and from the inverter/charger.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Jan 11, 2020
    https://ultimatepower.com/products/inverter-chargers/pcul-series/3000w-pure-sine-inverter-charger-pcul/

    Yes, mount the new IC close to the battery bank with new short fat wires to the DC input/charger output side to the battery bank. Leave the existing battery to DC converter/DC fuse panel wires in place so they still run the 12v side of your rig.

    Unplug or disconnect the 120v to the existing converter and leave it there as a back up. Plus when you sell that rig, you can take your IC to the next rig and the new owner still gets the OEM converter.

    There are several ways to set up the IC inverter part to your rig's 120v. Whatever the instructions say, or a variation of that.
  • Crushedstang50's avatar
    Crushedstang50
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2020
    Wonderful! Guess I have me a little project to add to the schedule!
    Thank you all for the input!
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Jan 11, 2020
    Crushedstang50 wrote:
    Hello all!
    My question is... with it can't I just bypass my stock converter/charger.

    YES ! Just be sure that you are not back-feeding the charger from the inverter. Many (most?) charger/inverters have a built in automatic transfer switch to prevent this from happening.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 11, 2020
    You won’t need that little bit of storage space ever?
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 11, 2020
    10 wire is what I used. But you are simply plugging in the shore power cord to the inverter.

    I ran #10 to a 30 amp female outlet in the "mouse hole". I shortened the OEM cord to 5 feet, and put on a male plug. I saved the rest of the OEM cord to make an extension for shore power use.

    Crushedstang50 wrote:
    If that would work how big of 120v cable do you think would be safe? To and from the inverter/charger.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2020
    Crushedstang50 wrote:
    Yes my plan was to just disconnect the stock coverter/charger.


    Why bother disconnecting the converter? :h Since your intention is to power your trailer "whole house" with the inverter just turn off the converter and plug your trailer's 30 amp main service cable (using a dogbone) into the inverter output - done. :B At times when you're not using the inverter just turn the converter back on again. K.I.S.S. :W

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