Hopefully I can explain this correctly. I am running 300 watts of solar with a 2000 watt inverter and was wondering if when boondocking I can plug my main power cord into the inverter to power all of the plugs inside the unit. I was explained that you had to turn off the breaker to the converter built into the unit to keep from damaging it. But was also told if the Converter breaker in the units breaker box is turned off the outlets wont work. So question is can I leave all the breakers on inside the fuse panel while I plug the main power cord into the inverter? Don't want to damage anything. I also understand I am limited to what I can use but want to use it for just lights, TV, ETC. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

ulvik wrote:I can plug my main power cord into the inverter to power all of the plugs inside the unit. if the Converter breaker in the units breaker box is turned off the outlets wont work. So question is can I leave all the breakers on inside the fuse panel while I plug the main power cord into the inverter? want to use it for just lights, TV, ETC.Yes.No - only the outlets connected to the same breaker as the converter are the ones that won't work.No. You don't want to be running your electric water heater.Lights are 12v.

You can install a seperate switch to turn off the converter. Leaving it on will not damage it but it will be in a loop trying to recharge the battery and bottom line, just using more energy fruitlessly.So while not turning off the conv. wont hurt it, you still need to turn it off.

Your plan is how I set my inverter up, as have other members on this forum. I'm only interested in powering the tv's with my 320 watt inverter. I turn off all breakers except the one that powers the 120v outlets

Depending on your RV the converter SHOULD be on a breaker all by it's lonesome, but of course not all folks do that especially on 30 amp RV's. What converter do you have? IS the converter "intergrated" into the power panel or is it a stand alone. You can add a switch to disable JUST the converter..... if needed.Page 2: You have a 2KW inverter is this an INLINE and also your converter (I doubt it due to something you said) If so you do not have a problem.Some electrical knowledge will be needed to figure out how to add a switch.Once you disable the converter... The answer to your question is yes you can do it.

Also depends on the inverter. Some do not like the battery negative bonded to the 120vac ground.No damage to converter/inverter, just creates a power loop that will discharge the battery in a short time.Put the converter on a separate switch or its own breaker as needed. Also need to to keep the water heater and fridge set to propane only. Again no damage just going to drain the battery in short order.Lights are 12 volt. TV need 300 watts max inverter.You can wire the inverter into the electric system with a 30 amp transfer switch on the main feed or with smaller transfer switch to individual branch circuits.You may want to map out exactly what outlets and appliances are on exactly what breakers.

Plugging 30amp plug into inverter to power unit?

ulvik
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
lawrosa wrote:
1/0 by the foot.. Various colors

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-By-the-Foot-1-0-Black-Stranded-CU-SIMpull-THHN-Wire-20505499/204632780

Thanks I will be running larger cables for sure. As far as the load I will be using I will never be using no where near 2000 watts. Just want to run a couple of fans and the TV and not much more. A 1000 watt inverter is all I should need but I got this one from a friend for less than $70 so that is what I am going to go with. He bought it then sold his TT so he did not need it. Thanks again you have been very informative and I greatly appreciate it!
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
1/0 by the foot.. Various colors

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-By-the-Foot-1-0-Black-Stranded-CU-SIMpull-THHN-Wire-20505499/204632780
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
Also if your going to run near max watts of the unit like I said the wire supplied with that unit is just for test purposes. I cant find where it says the max size wire that will fit in the lugs.

That wire is too small and probably aluminum..

But if you run 2000 watts thats 166 amps. ( I doubt you have enough batt power and will kill them in short order. Hence why I went with only a 1100 watt inverter. Even that will draw about 90 amps if I max it..

Your batterys will dies a slow death..

For 166 amps you will need to fit 1/0 cable to inverter.

I ran 4 gauge to mine but its only 1100 watts as stated.

http://www.cerrowire.com/ampacity-charts
ulvik
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
lawrosa wrote:
Make sure yiu ground the unit from inverter chassis to trailer chassis with #8 wire. ( This is not the same as going to the neg side of battery...

Operation of the inverter without a proper ground connection may result in an electrical safety hazard. Chassis Ground (Grounding) wrote:

Manual

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0951/0284/files/Power_Tech-on_-_USER_MANUAL_-_print_ready.pdf?17192229873059343987

Make sure you install the proper sized cables from battery to inverter. Or you will get a large voltage drop.

Also make sure you fuse the pos line with an anl fuse or breaker of at least 175 amps.

It doesn't say if the neutral and ground are bonded.

Do a continuity test. With unit off put probe in ground slot and other in wide neutral slot.

If the unit is bonded then I would lift the ground off the extension coed you make.

This power inverter is designed for use with negative
ground electrical system. Don’t use with positive ground
electrical systems (the majority of modern automobiles,
RVs, trucks, and boats are negative ground).

Will do! Thanks for the input!!!!!
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
Make sure yiu ground the unit from inverter chassis to trailer chassis with #8 wire. ( This is not the same as going to the neg side of battery...

Operation of the inverter without a proper ground connection may result in an electrical safety hazard. Chassis Ground (Grounding) wrote:

Manual

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0951/0284/files/Power_Tech-on_-_USER_MANUAL_-_print_ready.pdf?17192229873059343987

Make sure you install the proper sized cables from battery to inverter. Or you will get a large voltage drop.

Also make sure you fuse the pos line with an anl fuse or breaker of at least 175 amps.

It doesn't say if the neutral and ground are bonded.

Do a continuity test. With unit off put probe in ground slot and other in wide neutral slot.

If the unit is bonded then I would lift the ground off the extension coed you make.

This power inverter is designed for use with negative
ground electrical system. Don’t use with positive ground
electrical systems (the majority of modern automobiles,
RVs, trucks, and boats are negative ground).
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2018
"Solar with inverter"? No DC output at all?

Or is he trying to power 115V outlets from inverter that is connected to battery? If so, he'll need 30A/15A adapter - and yes, battery disconnect should be On, you need 12V for many devices.
ulvik
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
lawrosa wrote:
Yes but what inverter? Brand and make...

I have a 1100 watt Krieger inverter and it has a floating neutral..

Sorry about that! It is a Power TechON 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter off of Amazon just did not know how to post a link.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
Yes but what inverter? Brand and make...

I have a 1100 watt Krieger inverter and it has a floating neutral..
ulvik
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
joebedford wrote:
No. The lights run from the battery.

The Manufacturer of the converter/breaker box said if I leave the battery disconnect switch on by the batteries, the power cord plugged into the inverter and turn off the converter breaker it would all work. I am not sure though but once I hook it all up we will see for sure. NOt really sure but I will just have to give it a shot.
ulvik
Explorer
Jan 17, 2018
lawrosa wrote:
ulvik wrote:
I contacted the manufacturer of our power converter/breaker box and informed them of my situation. I was informed that all I needed to do was turn off the Converter breaker in the breaker box when I would be on solar only and that would close the loop. Then all the outlets and lights should run from the inverter installed to the solar system when the main plug is plugged into the inverter. Going to give it a shot when I get everything installed and I will let everyone know how it turned out. Thanks!

What is the make and model inverter?

I have a WFCO model WF-8955PEC

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