Our Roadtrek has an inverter for the TV & DVD player. There is a switch to turn the inverter on and off, and the TV & DVD don't work unless the switch is on. So, even if we're on shore power we have to turn on the inverter to watch a movie. Problem is we forget to turn it off when we go to bed and it runs all night... The owner's manual says to be sure to turn it off when not using.Is there a way to switch to shore power when we're hooked up or maybe get a lighted switch for the inverter so we are reminded that it is on?How does the average inverter user handle this?

Mine is the same way. I did it because it is the simplest way so you don't need any transfer switches. If you on shore power, no need to turn it off. If you dry camping, it no biggee if you leave it on, just uses maybe a 1/2 amp of battery power.And yes, I do have a lighted switch for the inverter, and still forget to turn it off now and then,....its no bigee

pasusan wrote:Is there a way to switch to shore power when we're hooked up or maybe get a lighted switch for the inverter so we are reminded that it is on? Sure. Plug the TV into a different outlet; one that is not fed by the inverter.OR plug a small night light into the same outlet off the inverter.It really isn't much of a problem as the inverter should not draw much power when there is no load.I solved this problem by getting a 12 V TV instead of messing with an inverter.

Leave the TV and DVD on and just use the inverter switch to turn them on and off.Our inverter runs other things too so we have to actually unplug the TV since it is still on in standby drawing power when it is "off"

Most inverters (if they are of any quality) draw very little idle amps. I leave mine on, all the time I'm camping.

This average user usually leaves it on 24/7. Probably harder on them to be turned on and off frequently.

First time with an inverter | Good Sam Community

RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
Mine is the same way. I did it because it is the simplest way so you don't need any transfer switches. If you on shore power, no need to turn it off. If you dry camping, it no biggee if you leave it on, just uses maybe a 1/2 amp of battery power.
And yes, I do have a lighted switch for the inverter, and still forget to turn it off now and then,....its no bigee
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
pasusan wrote:

Is there a way to switch to shore power when we're hooked up or maybe get a lighted switch for the inverter so we are reminded that it is on?

Sure.

Plug the TV into a different outlet; one that is not fed by the inverter.

OR plug a small night light into the same outlet off the inverter.

It really isn't much of a problem as the inverter should not draw much power when there is no load.

I solved this problem by getting a 12 V TV instead of messing with an inverter.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2017
Leave the TV and DVD on and just use the inverter switch to turn them on and off.

Our inverter runs other things too so we have to actually unplug the TV since it is still on in standby drawing power when it is "off"
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2017
Most inverters (if they are of any quality) draw very little idle amps. I leave mine on, all the time I'm camping.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2017
This average user usually leaves it on 24/7. Probably harder on them to be turned on and off frequently.
pasusan
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
BFL13 wrote:
Leave the TV and DVD on and just use the inverter switch to turn them on and off.

Our inverter runs other things too so we have to actually unplug the TV since it is still on in standby drawing power when it is "off"
Thanks for that - we'll try using the inverter switch to turn things off. If we can't seem to do it we'll end up replacing the switch with one that is lighted while on.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
CJW8
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
I installed a 15 amp transfer switch for my general circuit which my entertainment devices are on. My entertainment devices are also plugged into a small UPS so when it switches from generator/shore to inverter my satellite or DVD do not have to reboot. I also have another 15 amp transfer switch for my GFCI circuit. These small transfer switches are from Xantrex and are installed right behind the breaker panel.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 18, 2017
Turn off when you store the RV, leave it on when you are camping
It drains very little, less than one light bulb
If the TV is off

And since your on shore power it makes about absolutely no effect on your batteries
Because on shore power they are being charged
nadkaw1957
Explorer
Jul 18, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Most inverters (if they are of any quality) draw very little idle amps. I leave mine on, all the time I'm camping.

X2 - Mine is on from the moment I set up camp until I leave.

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