2 inverters to a 3 position switch?

[Joel_T]

I'm planning on being able to plug my trailers 30a power cord into either shore power or generator or inverter. We'll use a 300w invertor most of the time but for brief use of microwave, coffee maker, and ?, a 2000w inverter. So, for the electricians out there, can I tie the 2 invertor outlets into a common outlet and use wired remote switches for each inverter in a 3 position switch, also remote, to isolate them?

(I'm aware of the A/C off, converter off, frig on gas requirements)

[RoyB]

The MULTI-HEAD extension cord I used for awhile was two cords with these type plug-in heads. They were laid between cabinets and things and was completely out of sight...



This was used with a 600WATT SINE WAVE INVERTER and one cord went to the home entertainment area and the other cord went to the bedroom night stand area.

Supplied 120VAC Power from the batteries to these two areas just for a few things we wanted to have running when camping off the power grid. Later on I wired in some permanent receptacles just for emergency power items.

We found the 600WATT PSW size perfect for being a so-called work horse general purpose source of 120VAC power...

Roy Ken

[Joel_T]

smkettner wrote:
I wired my 2000 watt just to the microwave branch circuit with one added kitchen outlet for other large draw items.

300 watt inverter wired to the two convenience outlet circuits.

Both are GoPower sine wave. Works like a charm.

Otherwise you can chain several transfer switches to do as you like.

Hmm, that's got potential.

[Joel_T]

Also, I don't want extension cords running here and there. There's only 1 circuit so I can't isolate outlets and I'm not going to cut in new boxes and run a new circuit.

[time2roll]

I wired my 2000 watt just to the microwave branch circuit with one added kitchen outlet for other large draw items.

300 watt inverter wired to the two convenience outlet circuits.

Both are GoPower sine wave. Works like a charm.

Otherwise you can chain several transfer switches to do as you like.

[Joel_T]

We already have a 300w Morningstar that's good for laptop/tv stuff. I didn't believe running a microwave or coffee maker off solar charged batteries was practical or I would have bought a 2000w from the get go probably. A 2000w no load is 3 or 4 times the amps of the 300w although I saw a Cotek that has a powersave mode that draws .1A. Simpler to trade the 300w for 2000w but not as an efficient use of amps. I was just throwing the idea out there. The Blue Sea 3 position transfer switch might work I think.

[RoyB]

BLUE SEA makes a ROTARY SWITCH series for switching between different 120VAC power sources etc... They might have something for you to look at.

These are great for manual switching of multiple 120VAC circuits used with transfer switches...


Manually switching a complete 120VAC Distribution Panel using C3 CONTROLS switch banks would look something like this...







Pretty much involved re-routing your 120VAC lines to do this.

It would be alot easier just using multi-head extension cords from the various INVERTERS and plugging in what you want to run.

Roy Ken

[2oldman]

You could, yes. But I'd agree that just using the bigger one would be much easier, safer and less complicated just to save a few Ah/day.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

300-watt invertet for what kind of load? TV?

If you can power all your low value AC loads from one power center why not dedicate the small inverter? Let the inverter operate like a UPS when.plugged in to shore or gen. A continuous 300-watt load is not insignificant.

The treat the larger inverter install lile a normal install.

[MrWizard]

you can do it with ATS transfer switches , 30amp double double throw relays in a box, cost $70-$99 each, you will need two, plus plugs and wire for connecting them
and you will need a 2way rocker or toggle switch too control them, so only one inverter can be active ( it has to be either-or ) not two switches , it has too be only one can connect
this is only switching the outputs, so you need other switches for remote on off

safer and easier to mount them side by side and just move the shore plug
easier still to just use ONE inverter, get one with load sense, that turns on when used and has super low idle current needs when not being used

[Vulcan_Rider]

I think this is a receipt for disaster and really unnecessary additional expense.

How long will it BE before somebody turns on the wrong appliance when the wrong inverter is active and blows it up ??

I've solved that problem. I run the generator whenever AC is needed.
Easy.

[valhalla360]

Once you've bought a 2000w inverter, why mess around with a 300w inverter. Losses, will be negligible given the description of what you want to do.

To answer in a literal sense: Yes but only if wired properly. Since you are asking the question, get some help.