Inverter Issue

[Grunt4Life]

We purchased our 5're in Dec and are doing our shakedown trip.

EDITED: Trying to use the inverter to run the residential refrigerator while we're on the road. Connected up to the truck, made sure the batteries were connected, on/charged and then pushed the on button. The refrigerator failed to come on... It appears the inverter isn't working and before we take in in want to be sure I'm not forgetting anything.

After arriving to our camp site I connected to shore power and refrigerator works. is there something I'm missing?

RV- 2017 Montana just in case it matters.

[Grunt4Life]

Thanks everyone. Going to try and unplug everything, check the fuses and reset. Will also be checking to ensure batteries are connected correctly... I assume they are since everything else works but worth taking another look.

Will provide an update once complete task- Hate it when a poster fails to provide closure!

[Carl_n_Susan]

While I don't have a residential refer in my Montana, I have read about them Montana Owners Club forum. There is a disconnect switch for the inverter separate from the one in the convenience center. This one is located in the front compartment above the batteries. You wrote the refer has power when connected to shore power (which shows the builtin auto transfer switch is working)but doesn't when solely on 12V power. Assuming you found the on/off switch on the inverter itself, you should check the disconnect switch.

[theoldwizard1]

MrWizard wrote:
... Under voltage or over load situation on inverter, requires inverter reset, ...

Highly likely !

Need to do some voltage checks. I strongly suggest that you purchase a meter that will capture minimum and maximum voltage.

• Check voltage at the vehicle battery with the engine at idle
• Check voltage at the input of the inverter
• Connect meter meter in minimum capture mode to input of the inverter and then get the vehicle idle for 30 minutes,

[MrWizard]

Best Advice so far.. thank you

[Carl_n_Susan]

Unfortunately, most of the information here was provided by those who don't have a Montana with the residential refer powered by an inverter. This is an option on Montanas and it is not the old LP/Electric refer of old.

Join the free to enter Montana Owners Club forum ( www.montanaowners.com ) and ask your question there. There has been a ton of discussion there about the residential refer and its attendant inverter.

[CJW8]

Take it back to where you bought it and ask them to give you a walk through again on refrigerator operation while on inverter. My guess is the refrigerator is not connected to the inverter. Before doing that you can do this: Disconnect from shore power, generator off and inverter on. Check all of your 120V outlets, including refrigerator to see which ones are active.

[enblethen]

There should be a large 12 volt DC fuse between batteries and inverter.
I would also verify position on rotary switch referenced earlier.

[MrWizard]

For day time closed up use keeping food cool while driving from Pont A to point B
Two batteries are enough , even enough for overnight when fully charged

[Jpbeck1]

You would need a substantial battery bank to run a refrigerator off a inverter. I'd bet the refrigerator is not connected to the inverter.

[BFL13]

If you were on shore power (at home say) the battery disconnect should already have been at "connected" and the inverter/charger "on" with charger "enabled" so the batteries would stay charged up at home, being "maintained" by the charger.

When you are on the road with just the 7-pin charging the batteries, that is at trickle amps, so the batteries won't get much support for running the fridge etc. The batteries would have to be charged up already for that.

? Perhaps ? Your batteries were low from not having being on the charger when at home, and the inverter could not get enough DC to run the fridge with just the 7-pin helping. The inverter will have a low DC input voltage cut off.

If so, your batteries are in trouble, and need a good recharging "recovery" session (same as equalizing procedure) to get them back in shape.

[enblethen]

Good idea Mr. Wizard!
While at it OP, write the model and serial numbers on manuals. When you need them, it will be dark and it will be raining.

[MrWizard]

Possible problems
Low battery charge condition
Tripped circuit breaker on inverter
Under voltage or over load situation on inverter, requires inverter reset, may require disconnection power to inverter to reset
Model numbers help greatly as some one will have the instructions, and probably been thru this before

Gather all your manuals put them some place in the RV, that is close at hand
Read the fridge, inverter, etc.. Operation instructions, very helpful

[Grunt4Life]

I believe it's an inverter (converts battery power) to power residential refrigerator?? Will try to see what make/model it is tomorrow.

The button I referred too was the one to turn on the inverter/Converter.

[BFL13]

It has an 18cu ft res fridge. Outside there is a big battery disconnect switch that the OP says he turned to connected. Then the mystery starts about what "on button" he pushed next.