Forum Discussion

epfd217's avatar
epfd217
Explorer
Oct 20, 2017

312QBUD with resi fridge. Question about inverter

I've got a Salem Hemisphere 312QBUD floorplan. Forest River makes several sub-brands with the 312 layout.

Many now come with the residential fridge and a dedicated 1000w inverter. Mine does.

I'm wondering if anyone has removed the friedg eor accessed the power outlet for the fridge. I'm interested in accessing the power outlet and creating a bypass or being able to use that outlet for inverter use.

I'm trying to find the least intrusive method to use inverter power in the camper for dry camping. I realize a rig with a residential fridge is not made for dry camping. This unfortunately was a difficult lesson to learn, but it has really helped me focus on how to manage power use in our rig.

I currently have 2 - 6v GC2's for an adequate amount of battery storage, and I'm simply looking for the easiest way to get inverter power to the main outlets and low use items. NO need for microwave or A/C in my use plan. This is mainly for early and late season hunting use.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2017
    A home refrigerator needs two batteries just for it...typical cheap Forest River only putting in two batteries. You need to add two more batteries for boondocking.
    I would find the 120V breaker for the outlets you want to power off the inverter and hook those wires to your invertor.
    You should have a transfer switch that automatically bypasses the inverter when on shore power... never mind, it's a F River.
  • htwheelz67's avatar
    htwheelz67
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    yes but res fridges are so well insulated vs rv fridges, if you don't open them up much they will stay cold and frozen for 8+ hours, I'm switching to a res fridge, although I have solar and my inverter has a built in transfer switch if I loose shore power, this is where those "lithium batteries" really shine, you can also add another bank of batteries, I like to run 2 banks with an a/b iso switch so you can charge one bank while using the other.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2017
    time2roll wrote:
    Just two batteries? I think you may be running the generator so frequently to keep the fridge running that tapping inverter power could be a mute point.

    I've been wondering about same thing. Somehow it doesn't sound that there is a solar there somewhere, to top up the battery for lights and "low use items".

    If he shuts the res fridge down, 2 batteries could run pumps and lights for several days. But, if res fridge is the only one there - no propane fridge - shutting it down will leave him with no fridge at all. Doesn't look like fun. Need propane fridge.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 20, 2017
    Just two batteries? I think you may be running the generator so frequently to keep the fridge running that tapping inverter power could be a mute point.

    Many inverters have two outlets. Just plug in what you like.
    Hardwired? Just add a J-box with outlet and plug in.
    Does the fridge plug into a single outlet? Change it to a duplex outlet.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 20, 2017
    lets start with the Inverter brand and model
    the info from your owners papers

    is there a transfer switch involved ?
    the location of the inverter ?

    if its hardwired, hidden behind a cabinet etc..
    there is NO easy way to use it
    pull the fridge out access the wiring box, add another outlet where you can reach it, to plug in and extension cord

    if nothing else in the RV has inverter power, then it is a one circuit item, that terminates there, you can NOT easily tie it into the rest of the RV 120v for the outlets
  • shastagary's avatar
    shastagary
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2017
    your looking at this backwards by looking at the fridge outlet. first find the inverter and see how the output of it is wired to the fridge outlet then you would need some way to switch in the other outlets like a transfer switch or add new dedicated outlets for the inverter. but you may be out of luck trying to use that inverter for much more than charging cellphones as the start up wattage of your fridge may be close to the output capacity of that inverter already.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Oct 20, 2017
    Not too clear, but it seems you need to find where the fridge 120v plugs in to the inverter for it, then instead plug in your rig's shore power cord (via adapters and extension cords as needed) so now you are on 15amp 120v power for the whole rig.

    Turn off the converter so there is no "loop" feedback, and put the fridge and WH on gas. Good to go on your receptacles to run the TV/DVD etc.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Oct 20, 2017
    epfd217 wrote:
    I'm simply looking for the easiest way to get inverter power to the main outlets and low use items. NO need for microwave or A/C in my use plan.


    Buy 15M-30F dogbone adapter.
    Plug it into inverter.
    Plug your yellow RV cord into female of the dogbone, and male into RV 30A receptacle.
    Disable the converter. (Can't help, not knowing your particular hardware).
    Make sure that A/C, MW and other 120V breakers are off, so that you won't turn those loads on by mistake.

    Turn the inverter off when not in use. I hope you know about inverter idle draw. In absence of loads it turns into a little space heater, wasting energy on keeping itself warm. Like Dirty Harry said - "because he likes it" :)

    (Yes, BFL is right, turn fridge to propane - not Auto).
  • WILDEBILL308's avatar
    WILDEBILL308
    Explorer II
    Oct 20, 2017
    epfd217 wrote:
    I've got a Salem Hemisphere 312QBUD floorplan. Forest River makes several sub-brands with the 312 layout.

    Many now come with the residential fridge and a dedicated 1000w inverter. Mine does.

    I'm wondering if anyone has removed the friedg eor accessed the power outlet for the fridge. I'm interested in accessing the power outlet and creating a bypass or being able to use that outlet for inverter use.

    I'm trying to find the least intrusive method to use inverter power in the camper for dry camping. I realize a rig with a residential fridge is not made for dry camping. This unfortunately was a difficult lesson to learn, but it has really helped me focus on how to manage power use in our rig.

    I currently have 2 - 6v GC2's for an adequate amount of battery storage, and I'm simply looking for the easiest way to get inverter power to the main outlets and low use items. NO need for microwave or A/C in my use plan. This is mainly for early and late season hunting use.


    Is the inverter for the Refrigerator the only one you have? Do you have a wiring diagram? I would get one from FR.
    Not the same coach but I have several outlets on the inverter circuit. Including the front tv, microwave, lights in bathroom and one outlet in bedroom and the refrigerator.
    You can forget running AC on inverter.
    If you are going to do a lot of dry camping I would look at adding a couple more batteries.
    Bill

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