inverter problems

[Twosees]

had a small Fleetwood trailer plugged into a motomaster 3000 watt inverter no problems. bought a new keystone trailer but cannot plug it into my inverter. Always give a short circuit message except when I use the outside ground fault receptacle. What gives? Is there something different in the wiring? Any help would be appreciated.

[seaeagle2]

Travel trailers fall under 551 of the NEC...

[Byrogie]

There is a reason they call that a suicide cord......

[time2roll]

Sounds like a bigger project than just the inverter. I recommend all should be fixed and bring it back to OEM condition. Then add the transfer switch. Double male cord is not safe in any condition.

BTW code certainly allows multiple items on one circuit. Receptacles through the panel is correct method.

[pianotuna]

It is neither common nor safe to do this.

Twosees wrote:
I have always used a suicide dual plug to connect my inverter to my circuits to power the trailer when dry camping with no power. It is a common way to make life easier and safe.

[Twosees]

Thanks for the advice but it is a travel trailer and the wiring is not up to any code when they combine breakers that should be on their own circuit, and connect all the receptacles thru the panel. I have always used a suicide dual plug to connect my inverter to my circuits to power the trailer when dry camping with no power. It is a common way to make life easier and safe.If you know what you are doing and the manufacturer is not cutting corners to save money.

[time2roll]

What you need is a transfer switch for safety and to meet code requirements.

[Twosees]

Thanks for the input. Solved the problem. Receptacle circuit I was trying to use was connected to the converter breaker. Relocated it and bingo inverter works. Will add another breaker cause I have room. thanks again for the help.

[MrWizard]

Twosees wrote:
Have shut them all off but still have the same problem. all of the receptacles work fine when plugged into my house receptacle but not into the inverter

yes
but arent you using the shore cord then

and with the inverter it won't work from the shore cord
or any other 'bypass', except the GFI circuit

but when using your 'work around' (you did not say no to the suicide cord) with the GFI the inverter doesn't alert

now why would that block it ?

all breakers off should isolate all circuits leaving only neutrals and grounds connected

you have a neutral to ground short in your new trailer
it can't be a hot short, or it would trip shore power breaker

i would start at the shore power junction box and work my way thru
to the breaker panel, then each circuit

there is an easy test
make a ground to neutral bond plug, and plug that into the inverter
nothing else and turn it on
see if it gives you the same alarm
if it does, thats proof of the problem in the TT

[time2roll]

Twosees wrote:
Sorry, to clarify my problem I have always connected my inverter to one of the 120 receptacles in my trailer when dry camping.

With what?

Only safe option is to plug the main cord into the inverter.



Some inverters do not like the battery negative connected to the 120v ground. Read the instructions if inverter is made to power an RV distribution panel or just single independent loads.

[2oldman]

Hmm..is there anything between the breaker panel and shore power?

[Twosees]

Have shut them all off but still have the same problem. all of the receptacles work fine when plugged into my house receptacle but not into the inverter

[2oldman]

Would cutting all your breakers first help isolate the issue? Is it possible it's an overload, like the WH is on?

[Twosees]

Been there and done that. When I use the ground fault circuit, all the plugs work but when I use any of the others or my shore power cord I get a shut down fault. My inverter dos not like something in this new trailer wiring for some reason. I could live with it except my ground fault circuit is at the back and outside so not very practical. Still trying!

[MrWizard]

What gives you the error
The inverter
Or something in the TT ?

Also sound like you are using a back feed , suicide cord system
Since you said plugged into one of the Tt outlets

Since you are using one outlet
Try turning off all the the other circuit breakers
Then turn them on one at a time, see which circuit created the fault
My best guess would be fridge or water heater
Something with a heating element shorting out
I assume, you already turned off the converter

You could also check the breaker panel
Maybe somebody bonded the neutral to ground and the inverter don't like that