Inverter info

[JR51]

My rv has an add on 2000 watt inverter installed by previous owner. An extra 30 amp outlet was installed in power cord compartment. I assume in order to run any ac while boondocking I would plug my shore power cord into this outlet and turn on the inverter. Are there any precautions to this method or is it a pretty straight forward process?

[JR51]

First off thank you for making it sensible to me. Other posts advised to make sure converter was off so I flipped the main breaker.
Based on what you told me I followed the procedure and good news bad news. Leaving the main on and flipping general purpose breaker it worked when I turned on inverter but only on 1 outlet out of 6. At least its the kitchen outlet which would be used the most. There is another open outlet on the inverter I guess I can plug computer, chargers, and periodically the tv as needed. Why the installation only fed one outlet seems like a bit of a waste unless I'm doing something wrong. Thanks once again and still open to any advice.
If you are adept at solar install I have a question on adding another panel.

[time2roll]

The main breaker needs to be on for any power to flow to anything.

There is no polarity in AC power. No positive and negative. What you have is Hot (black or red), neutral (white), ground(green or bare copper)

So you need to leave the main breaker on. You would only switch off branch circuits. You need to switch off the branch circuit that powers the converter to avoid a charging/inverting loop that will just drain the battery.

How is the converter connected to power? Plugged into an outlet? Or tied into the wire connection direct to the branch circuit breaker? Picture of the wires would help. Model number of the power panel and converter would help.

When I say to separate the converter wire from the circuit and move to a separate breaker... I mean to actually go to the hardware store and get a new branch circuit breaker (15 or 20 amp) and pop it in. Then connect just the converter hot (black) wire to this new breaker. This new breaker should be off when using the inverter. Main breaker is always on.

[JR51]

The general purpose breaker seems to be the one that works but only if main is on also which defeats the purpose. Then tried disconnecting negative from main converter breaker to no avail. time2roll when you advise to move power black wire to new breaker you mean main incoming power? Can I use an inline breaker for this? Sorry to be so misinformed but am learning and seriously trying to figure this out so thank you all for your patience

[time2roll]

JR51 wrote:
Unfortunately when shore cord plugged into outlet and inverter on there was no power to ac outlets. When converter main switched on there was power. How can I remedy the situation?

I assume you mean the converter circuit breaker also ccontrols the branch of outlets you want to use.

Easiest way to me would be pop in a separate breaker for the converter. Move the converter power (black wire) to this new breaker.

[corvettekent]

Either unplug the converter or look for the one circuit breaker that powers the converter, not the main circuit breaker.

[JR51]

Unfortunately when shore cord plugged into outlet and inverter on there was no power to ac outlets. When converter main switched on there was power. How can I remedy the situation?

[BFL13]

Also turn the fridge to gas and not auto or it will go to 120v. If the fridge doesn't work like that just unplug it --usually plugged into a receptacle behind the fridge you get at from outside.

[corvettekent]

Ths will work fine as long as you make sure that your converter is turned off.
If the converter is on it will try to charge your batteries with the battery power that your inverter using from your batteries.

[Lwiddis]

Unless you aren’t telling us about your HUGE battery bank, enjoy your 10 minutes of air conditioning. If you are running a generator, why would you need to involve an inverter?

[2oldman]

yes, i just edited my post.

[jdc1]

Shouldn't the converter be turned off while doing that?

[2oldman]

By ac do you mean 120v current or air conditioning...because you won't be running air for very long. Yes, just plug in to that socket, but don't have any high draw devices on when you do that, and make sure your converter and hot water are off.