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Plugging 30amp plug into inverter to power unit?

ulvik
Explorer
Explorer
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!
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21 REPLIES 21

lawrosa
Explorer
Explorer
I dont know if you getting the best advice here. You dont want to hard wire the inverter to the converter unless you have a transfer switch...

Being plugged into shore power and then flipping on the inverter breaker will be disastrous

So either transfer switch or how I did it was with a seperate outlet. I could only plug into one or the other...

Also as far as what breaker the charging circuit runs on you will need to determine..

on mine the charging breaker is by itself.

But my issue is the breaker for the reefer also has the bedroom outlets on it.. Since my reefer does not have a gas/electric switch and is all automatic with one button, I need to unplug the reefer if I want to run the bedroom outlets off the inverter.

So when I run on inverter power I simply go outside and unplug the reefer.

Other then that I turn all all other breakers as a safety precaution. A/C, HWH, Microwave.

Thats so no one turns them on. Reffer breaker stays on as stated above but is unplugged from outside.

See my vid here.

Sorry that I mumble...lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD5cpclHjqA
Mike L ... N.J.

2006 Silverado ext cab long bed. 3:42 rear. LM7 5.3 motor. 300 hp 350 ft lbs torgue @ 4000 rpms
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pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Converter off, fridge to propane, water heater to propane or off. Turn on inverter, plug in RV.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
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.

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.
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Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
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ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
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.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman