ScottG wrote:
GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
If you get the right inverter it will have a built in transfer switch.
This is what I was thinking but I looked around on-line and couldn't find one. Maybe I wasn't using the correct vernacular? How do you identify these?
You've a fifth wheel with 50 amp shore power service, correct? Your power panel will be like mine - the 50 amp input is split into two 30 amp circuits. Most larger inverters have a transfer switch and sometimes more. The 4k inverter I got (price was only $850!)had a transfer switch AND solar charger (didn't need that as I already had a Morning Star).
I broke the input cable before the power panel and put my inverter/charger in one circuit. I moved the air conditioner, ref. AC and the converter/charger over to the straight one, leaving all the wall outlets, large TV and microwave on the inverter one so we could dry camp comfortably save for the air conditioner. (Your power panel's breakers are most likely alternating one breaker on one, the next on the other of these circuits.) If we need the AC, I run a genny. While the inverter would probably power the AC, I've only four T-105s, and they would only last a half hour at best. So far, we've only needed the genny a few times, so I can't see the expense of another four or more batteries and solar panels.
The system has worked flawlessly for over three years. Only issue we had was in CA two years back with daytime temps over 105 - even in the shade, electronics just does not like ambient temps over 100!
