INVERTER - help

[pumpshep]

So i have a inverter installed, and i have to run a extension cord to the tv to the inverter, is there any way to plug a cord from the inverter into the wall and have it power all the sockets?

[ewarnerusa]

SDurbak wrote:
I tried this and it didn't work - what am I doing wrong? I bought a 1600 watt Whistler inverter, connected it to my battery, turned off the breaker to my converter, plugged shoreline power cord (30A) into an adapter, then plugged it into the outlet in the inverter, turned the inverter on, and within 2 seconds the inverter was alarming and shut itself off. Nothing in the camper is turned on, and I even tried it with all the breakers off. Same thing - alarm, then off. I plugged a crockpot into the inverter, and it worked fine, so I know the inverter is functioning. Any ideas?

Some inverters don't work. I'm not savvy enough to know why. The first inverter I bought was a Samlex MSW 800 watt and it acted the same as you describe. I later saw in the manual where it said to not use it to supply an ac panel. I suppose that is what I was essentially doing. Every other inverter I have owned has worked fine like this though.

Edit: I found my old thread asking about why it wasn't working. There might be some useful knowledge in there. It's funny reading my old comprehension level about this stuff and it was only a couple years ago!
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25837086.cfm

[John___Angela]

SDurbak wrote:
I tried this and it didn't work - what am I doing wrong? I bought a 1600 watt Whistler inverter, connected it to my battery, turned off the breaker to my converter, plugged shoreline power cord (30A) into an adapter, then plugged it into the outlet in the inverter, turned the inverter on, and within 2 seconds the inverter was alarming and shut itself off. Nothing in the camper is turned on, and I even tried it with all the breakers off. Same thing - alarm, then off. I plugged a crockpot into the inverter, and it worked fine, so I know the inverter is functioning. Any ideas?

Did you remember to change your fridge to propane. Thats about 4 amps. How about the water heater electric element. Theres another 11 amps. Those two together would drag down a battery to the alarm voltage quick and probably kill the battery in about 20 minutes.

[SDurbak]

I tried this and it didn't work - what am I doing wrong? I bought a 1600 watt Whistler inverter, connected it to my battery, turned off the breaker to my converter, plugged shoreline power cord (30A) into an adapter, then plugged it into the outlet in the inverter, turned the inverter on, and within 2 seconds the inverter was alarming and shut itself off. Nothing in the camper is turned on, and I even tried it with all the breakers off. Same thing - alarm, then off. I plugged a crockpot into the inverter, and it worked fine, so I know the inverter is functioning. Any ideas?

[TimLoon]

Same as the other folks. My 3,000W inverter sits in a basement storage cabinet with solar controls. on/off switch inside MH. Simply run heavy duty cord from inverter to shore cord. Always seem to forget to turn off converter but my volt meter dropping like a rock quickly reminds me. Wife likes toast and hair dryer in the morning so the 3 batteries drain quick after breakfast but recover during the day from the solar. Once and awhile run the generator. We primarily dry camp so fridge is usually always on gas except when home.

[mikestock]

I plug my shore power cable directly into the AC receptacle on my inverter. I shut off the breaker to my charge converter, as Mr. Wizard said. All sockets are live with AC power provided by the inverter.

I have a 650 watt PSW inverter and do the same thing. I also make sure my refrigerator is set to gas. Never have a problem as long as I don't try to run microwave, toaster, air cond, etc.

[Ron3rd]

ewarnerusa wrote:
I plug my shore power cable directly into the AC receptacle on my inverter. I shut off the breaker to my charge converter, as Mr. Wizard said. All sockets are live with AC power provided by the inverter.

That's basically what I do too. just need to remember I've only got 300w available. Can't turn on the microwave or other high draw devices.

[ewarnerusa]

I plug my shore power cable directly into the AC receptacle on my inverter. I shut off the breaker to my charge converter, as Mr. Wizard said. All sockets are live with AC power provided by the inverter.

[MrWizard]

pumpshep wrote:
is there any way to plug a cord from the inverter into the wall and have it power all the sockets?

Not into the wall, make an outlet for the shore cord to plug into with an adapter, unplug aka turn off your charge converter circuit , so it doesn't drain the battery

[RoyB]

I read the OP was asking if you could run a DOUBLE MALE 120VAC ILLEGAL hookup PLUG to PLUG extension cord and plug one MALE end into the Inverter and other MALE end into an existing 120VAC Receptacle which would back feed all the other 120VAC receptacles. This is where folks are calling this a dangerous and ILLEGAL procedure.

Maybe I read it wrong...

I use the standard extension cord here on my 600WATT PSW Inverter with one drop going to the home entertainment cent and the other drop going to the bedroom area where I have a few must have items ON all the time. I also have a 120VAC RECEPTACLE close to the Shore Power connections where I can plug the Shore Power Connection using an adapter to be powered by the INVERTER. This requires me however to flip a bunch of circuit breakers in the Power Distribution center before doing this since my INVERTER is not large enough to run the whole trailer.

This is my OFF-ROAD POPUP floor plan showing how I would be configured using my INVERTERS...


Roy Ken

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

[Ron3rd]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Doing what you suggest is illegal and dangerous.

Far better to run a cord to the shore power cord box and plug the shore power cord in. Be sure to turn off the converter, and set the fridge to propane.

pumpshep wrote:
So i have a inverter installed, and i have to run a extension cord to the tv to the inverter, is there any way to plug a cord from the inverter into the wall and have it power all the sockets?

That's how I'm running my 300w inverter. Only use it for TVs and DVD. Easiest solution in my case.

[time2roll]

If you installed the inverter close to the distribution panel you could use a small transfer switch to send power down one circuit.






Otherwise NO on the suicide cord or dead man's cord.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Doing what you suggest is illegal and dangerous.

Far better to run a cord to the shore power cord box and plug the shore power cord in. Be sure to turn off the converter, and set the fridge to propane.

pumpshep wrote:
So i have a inverter installed, and i have to run a extension cord to the tv to the inverter, is there any way to plug a cord from the inverter into the wall and have it power all the sockets?

[donn0128]

Easiest is run a line from the inverter to a dedicated outlet. Lable it and simply plug into the power you need