House Batteries Disconnect Switch & Inverter

[Community Alumni]

Hi folks. I just purchased a new Newmar gasser, and as I was getting familiarized with the coach, I discovered the 1,200 watt Xantrex inverter will come on when the batteries are disconnected at the kill switch. I was under the impression the battery disconnect switch would completely cut off all connections to the batteries.

I have owned other coaches in the past with inverters but it never occurred to me to turn on the inverter with the house batteries disconnected. Are inverters supposed to bypass the batteries kill switch?

[CA_Traveler]

That's why I installed battery disconnect switches on the battery posts for both banks.

[dougrainer]

Yes, A CORRECTLY installed Inverter/Charger ALWAYS bypasses the Disconnect for the Coach batteries. The Inverter/Charger is connected direct from the Coach Batteries to the Inverter. The main reason is simple. MOST battery disconnect solenoids are rated at 100 amps. There are a few in larger RV's that have a 200 amp disconnect solenoid. When INVERTING, the amp draw current can easily exceed 200 amps if powering a large appliance. Which you do NOT want thru a Disconnect solenoid. This is why it is critical for RVer's to ALWAYS check the status of the Inverter when storing the RV or taking it in for service. I will bet 75% of the Motorhomes that are in for work at my Shop, the Inverters are left on and after a few days the coach batteries are dead. Doug