No power from shore or generator, ok on inverter, need help

[Kidoo]

Hi, I have no more power from shore or from the generator. But I have power with the inverter ON. Shore power stoped while microwave was working. The microwave stopped working but TV was still going, then I flicked a couple of circuit braker and the TV quit. I started the inverter and Power was OK with inverter, tv working and all, switched back to shore or genset and no power.

I have an IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch. I suspect it would be the transfer switch. Does power from the inverter goes through the transfer switch, I guess yes because there are 3 sets of wires going to the box?

Power from the generator goes directly in the transfer box, but power from shore have to be pluged in.

Thanks for your help. Going to Mexico this weekend with a bunch of people, need this to work quick. I am in Donna / Mission area, any good shop around here?

[Kidoo]

Update: My Xantrex is totally ruin, one of the board is tosted. I did my trip to Mexico with the big charger and it worked flawless, except I had to check the charge rate.
I am now looking for a new charger / inverter.

[dougrainer]

Kidoo wrote:
The Xantrex is a 2000 watt. Don't know what is the amp charging rate.

They are Smart Chargers. BULK (high) rate is about 100 amps. As the batteries reach full charge the rate(amps) tapers down, until you just need a Maintenance (Float) Charge. Your RV is designed to have a regulated charging system. Your vacation will not be smooth if you try to go a cheap route with your RV 12 volt system. The Converter and
Your Inverter/ Charger are called the HEART of your RV. Without those items working to spec, your RV is useless. Doing a cheap work around will result in a BAD time in Mexico. Doug

[enblethen]

Page 4 of this manual says charge rate could be as high as 100 amperes.
Manual
Does the batteries charge off the chassis alternator?
You could call Best Converter. They do repairs as well as sales. Not sure of your route south but they could help.

[Kidoo]

The Xantrex is a 2000 watt. Don't know what is the amp charging rate.

[enblethen]

What is the size of the Xantrex unit that is bad?

[Kidoo]

garry1p wrote:
If you bought an inverter without the charge function then you could buy a 60 amp CONVERTER for about the same price as a good battery charger.

Your 20 amp charger is really not sufficient for an RV.

Yes, I saw a 50 amps converter, the price is around 250. I tried the 20 amps and it does not seem to do the job.

[Kidoo]

dougrainer wrote:

Kidoo wrote:
Thanks everyone for your help, it was greatly appreciated. I now have power everywhere. I tied the wire from the CB panel to the inverter to the two wires going to the rv outlet and microwave.

The inverter is remove and I do not plan to replace it for now. I bought a batterie charger, 20 amps, and it will do for now. I also bought a 2000 watt inverter to use if needed.

I will try to get the inverter fixed in Puerto Valarta and if not, I will wait until I get home, I am not ready to pay $1500 before I know if it can be fixed.

Again, thanks

1. It can be fixed. But, fixing a 14 year old Inverter is not cost effective
2. Good Luck with your 20 amp charger, You will need it(luck).
3. Using the 2000 watt Inverter you purchased will be difficult without a good 12 volt charging system for your Coach batteries. Doug

It already seems not to charge much, it is a "smart" charger from Walmart, smart my #_($#)(#. Very simple to use but I guess you have to be very smart to make it work properly. My batteries went up to 12.7 but now stock at 12.4, does not seem to want to go higher.

I have 2 days to shop for a charger cause this one does not seem to do the job already.

[garry1p]

If you bought an inverter without the charge function then you could buy a 60 amp CONVERTER for about the same price as a good battery charger.

Your 20 amp charger is really not sufficient for an RV.

[Dale_Traveling]

Keep a close eye on you 12VDC levels until you can get a bigger convertor/charger. 20 amps is very light for a Class A. My gas coach has an 60 amp unit to give you an idea of what might be needed. 12VDC is the life power of a coach. Lose it and no HVAC, fridge, water pump, jacks, slides and such. If your coach is configured to supply alternator DC power to the house you could start the engine to recharge if the charger has trouble keeping up.

[dougrainer]

Kidoo wrote:
Thanks everyone for your help, it was greatly appreciated. I now have power everywhere. I tied the wire from the CB panel to the inverter to the two wires going to the rv outlet and microwave.

The inverter is remove and I do not plan to replace it for now. I bought a batterie charger, 20 amps, and it will do for now. I also bought a 2000 watt inverter to use if needed.

I will try to get the inverter fixed in Puerto Valarta and if not, I will wait until I get home, I am not ready to pay $1500 before I know if it can be fixed.

Again, thanks

1. It can be fixed. But, fixing a 14 year old Inverter is not cost effective
2. Good Luck with your 20 amp charger, You will need it(luck).
3. Using the 2000 watt Inverter you purchased will be difficult without a good 12 volt charging system for your Coach batteries. Doug

[Kidoo]

Thanks everyone for your help, it was greatly appreciated. I now have power everywhere. I tied the wire from the CB panel to the inverter to the two wires going to the rv outlet and microwave.

The inverter is remove and I do not plan to replace it for now. I bought a batterie charger, 20 amps, and it will do for now. I also bought a 2000 watt inverter to use if needed.

I will try to get the inverter fixed in Puerto Valarta and if not, I will wait until I get home, I am not ready to pay $1500 before I know if it can be fixed.

Again, thanks

[bdpreece]

Don't know how bad your wires are burnt also, not sure what "started to fume" means.

On mine I was able to strip back the melted part I then used a very heavy soldering gun to solder the wires. I used electrical tape and silicone caulk to insulate them. Not a lot of room to work in there but it is doable. Unit was still working fine over two years later when I sold the coach.

Unless you can see anything else burnt I would try to repair it. Since you have it out it should be easier than what I did.

[wolfe10]

Yes, your choices are to replace the inverter/CHARGER.

OR

Install a smart charger or converter AND tie the inverter IN 120 VAC wires (all three) to the Inverter OUT 120 VAC wires.

Clearly the first is the better answer.

[enblethen]

There should be three wires in each of the cables going to the receptacles. One white, one black and one bare.