Forum Discussion

rocmoc's avatar
rocmoc
Explorer
Sep 13, 2013

Electric only working on Side 2 of inverter. FIXED!!!!

Same problem after installing a new inverter. Both sides of electrical works on pass-thu mode when hooked up to shore power. Switch over to invert and only side 2 works. This was the problem before installing a new inverter. Thought the old inverter was the problem as there was corrosion all thu the old inverter's boards & the electrical connections. The old inverter was tested at a local RV repair location and was told it was shot. I purchased a new (updated model) inverter (not from the repair location) and still have the same problem. HELP! Any ideas. Everything is great when hooked up to shore power but only side 2, Micro-wave & bathroom, works when not on shore power. Every outlet use to work!

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    Sep 13, 2013
    A voltmeter directly on the output of the inverter is the first place I would stop,. Could have a bad new inverter or simply needs one of its circuit breakers reset.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    Side 1? Side 2?

    Does this mean INCOMING 120vac shore power...

    And Side 2...

    Outgoing shore power OR inverter power?


    Honorable Chinee ahead getting themself. Putting horse behind cart. Build device, Sell device. Then find out instructions are Number 10

    Take some images and post or find a link to the manufacturer that has the photo interpretation of "Side 1 / Side 2"
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 13, 2013
    By 'both sides' I'll interpret that as both legs of a 50a circuit. OK..

    I'm a little behind on my 50a knowledge, but I do know it's two legs. So.. is that inverter designed for 2-120vac outputs? I've never seen a "50a" inverter.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 13, 2013
    What are you using for a transfer switch? Is the inverter connected to both sides? Have you checked voltage going to both sides?
  • docj's avatar
    docj
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    2oldman wrote:
    By 'both sides' I'll interpret that as both legs of a 50a circuit. OK..

    I'm a little behind on my 50a knowledge, but I do know it's two legs. So.. is that inverter designed for 2-120vac outputs? I've never seen a "50a" inverter.


    I realize that it's probably not worth speculating, but my MH had its inverter wired through a subpanel with two breakers. One of the breakers handled the microwave and an outlet or two and the other had everything else. If that second breaker tripped the effect would have been as the OP described it, but it wouldn't explain why everything works in pass-through mode.

    I'm as puzzled as everyone else; maybe the OP can provide more info.
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    There are two output sides, side 1 which is 20amp and side 2 that is 15amp. One in and Two out. Standard Holiday Rambler factory installation. I will check the output with a voltmeter tomorrow if I can find someone that has one. OR I will just switch the wiring between side 1 & 2. See what happens.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    docj wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    By 'both sides' I'll interpret that as both legs of a 50a circuit. OK..

    I'm a little behind on my 50a knowledge, but I do know it's two legs. So.. is that inverter designed for 2-120vac outputs? I've never seen a "50a" inverter.


    I realize that it's probably not worth speculating, but my MH had its inverter wired through a subpanel with two breakers. One of the breakers handled the microwave and an outlet or two and the other had everything else. If that second breaker tripped the effect would have been as the OP described it, but it wouldn't explain why everything works in pass-through mode.

    I'm as puzzled as everyone else; maybe the OP can provide more info.


    Yup have a second breaker panel but everything is working. Will check a third time just in case.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    rocmoc wrote:
    docj wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    By 'both sides' I'll interpret that as both legs of a 50a circuit. OK..

    I'm a little behind on my 50a knowledge, but I do know it's two legs. So.. is that inverter designed for 2-120vac outputs? I've never seen a "50a" inverter.


    I realize that it's probably not worth speculating, but my MH had its inverter wired through a subpanel with two breakers. One of the breakers handled the microwave and an outlet or two and the other had everything else. If that second breaker tripped the effect would have been as the OP described it, but it wouldn't explain why everything works in pass-through mode.

    I'm as puzzled as everyone else; maybe the OP can provide more info.


    Yup have a second breaker panel but everything is working. Will check a third time just in case.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico


    Just checked, everything is good. Breaker panel is setup with a 50amp breaker that is marked Main (shuts everything down) and a 30amp breaker feeding the inverter. Everything else is fed thu the inverter except the frig, AC & washer/Dyer which are fed from the breaker panel.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    Could a GFI outlet work in pass-thu mode and shut the leg down in inverter mode if the GFI outlet is failing? Could the sine wave inverter be that sensitive?

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2013
    Aha!

    It's a CON-verter

    Not an IN-verter

    How to ask this so that 200 words are not needed in the question?

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