Inverter plugged into battery when on shore power
Dumb question Is it ok to have an inverter hooked up to your battery when plugged into shore power?
Forum Discussion
Why not repost the pertinent information here?
The answer is "it depends".
I often did double conversion when I had a 2500 watt MSW Cobra inverter. My PD 40 amp converter was quite happy to work with it.
If I had only 15 amps of shore power, I would often use the dedicated inverter powered outlet in the kitchen so as not to blow a shore power breaker. That way I could use a induction cooker (on shore power), toaster (on inverter), and coffee pot (on inverter) all at the same time. The PD would replenish the battery bank after I stopped cooking.
However, when I tried the same things with my much more sophisticated Magnum 3000 Hybrid inverter, it "took out" the reverse polarity fuses on the PD more or less instantly.
Fortunately I have switches so it is rather easy for me to disconnect the Magnum from the battery bank. I also have an easy way to disconnect the PD from the 120 volt power shore power source.
So, the "safe" answer is, no need to disconnect from the battery bank, if you do NOT have the inverter active.
The answer is "it depends".
I often did double conversion when I had a 2500 watt MSW Cobra inverter. My PD 40 amp converter was quite happy to work with it.
If I had only 15 amps of shore power, I would often use the dedicated inverter powered outlet in the kitchen so as not to blow a shore power breaker. That way I could use a induction cooker (on shore power), toaster (on inverter), and coffee pot (on inverter) all at the same time. The PD would replenish the battery bank after I stopped cooking.
However, when I tried the same things with my much more sophisticated Magnum 3000 Hybrid inverter, it "took out" the reverse polarity fuses on the PD more or less instantly.
Fortunately I have switches so it is rather easy for me to disconnect the Magnum from the battery bank. I also have an easy way to disconnect the PD from the 120 volt power shore power source.
So, the "safe" answer is, no need to disconnect from the battery bank, if you do NOT have the inverter active.
samhain7 wrote:
I am asking because I just did a perminant inverter install. See my solar post.
My question is when I am at a campground with hook ups do I need to disconnect the inverter cables from the battery? Or can I just keep them connected.
