Inverter question

[Teleman]

If I want to plug my shore power cable into my inverter I need to switch of the converter correct? Where might I find it in my 2000 Airstream Land Yacht?

[Teleman]

BFL13 wrote:
Just make sure the receptacles you want to use are not on the same breaker as the converter, which is sometimes the case in RVs. If they are you can change that without too much work.

The converter breaker is shared with the bedroom. The kitchen is on a separate breaker and the only one I would leave on.

[BFL13]

Just make sure the receptacles you want to use are not on the same breaker as the converter, which is sometimes the case in RVs. If they are you can change that without too much work.

Using the shore cord to an outside inverter instead of using an extension cord to inside means no mosquitoes getting in the window left open for the extension cord.

[Teleman]

eric1514 wrote:

ronharmless wrote:
Interesting; is that the definition of a "hardcore mountain biker" in CA - eBikes?

lol

Here's what I did.



I replaced the existing RV type outlet with a residential one, cut the tabs on the back to isolate them from each other and wired one side to the inverter and left the other side wired as it was. That outlet was always there. If I'm plugged in, I use the shore side. If I'm not, I use the inverter side after turning the thing on with the remote on the wall. No ATS, no plugging or unplugging power cords and no flipping breakers.

That's very nice and a lot more work than I want to do.
Also the nearest outdoor receptacle is 15 feet from the rear of the RV where the bike rack is. My extension cord ends right at the foot of the ladder where it's convenient to plug in the chargers.

[Teleman]

ronharmless wrote:
Interesting; is that the definition of a "hardcore mountain biker" in CA - eBikes?

For decades we've pedaled up brutal climbs and rode down gnarly technical descents on traditional full suspension bikes. We just got eBikes to be able to increase our range and time out on the bikes. You're welcome to come along and if you're still game after pushing the 50 lb eBike up one of the unrideable hike a bike sections you'll get to follow us down one of the steep rocky shoots that's really just a boulder infested dry stream bed.

[eric1514]

ronharmless wrote:
Interesting; is that the definition of a "hardcore mountain biker" in CA - eBikes?

lol

Here's what I did.



I replaced the existing RV type outlet with a residential one, cut the tabs on the back to isolate them from each other and wired one side to the inverter and left the other side wired as it was. That outlet was always there. If I'm plugged in, I use the shore side. If I'm not, I use the inverter side after turning the thing on with the remote on the wall. No ATS, no plugging or unplugging power cords and no flipping breakers.

[ronharmless]

Interesting; is that the definition of a "hardcore mountain biker" in CA - eBikes?

[Teleman]

Ok let me better explain this. We got along fine without an inverter until we got the e-bikes. I bought an 1100 w inverter to charge the e-bikes and simply planned to run an extension cord from the inverter which is near the house batteries which in this motorhome are under the hood. What I wound up doing was running the extension cord under the chassis in a split loom to the back of the RV where the bikes are on their rack I connect the chargers which are in a mesh bag securely hanging off the seat post on one of the bikes and then connect the magnetic charge plugs to the bikes. This way I can charge the bikes while I'm driving. Otherwise the big batteries in these bikes are a bit much for the two house batteries and will deplete them quite a bit for a full charge. Now since I have the extension cord outlet at the back of the RV it's very close to the shore power cable and easy to plug in simply to run the coffee machine. I've been dripping coffee by hand which is okay but it would be more convenient to just have the machine make the coffee. So I would shut off all the breakers but the kitchen galley where the coffee machine is plugged in. No big deal and not worth it for me to be wiring the inverter directly into the breaker box. I understand this is a bit too "Jerry rigged" for some of you but it's cheap and functional so I'm good with it.

[Teleman]

Trust me this is the easiest solution. I can charge the eBikes while driving without using the generator. We are always on the move from one riding destination to another. We are hardcore mountain bikers and we don't stay put in one place very long. At some point we will install a solar system but this is working for us pretty well.

[wolfe10]

If you are considering only two "outlets" able to be powered by the inverter, consider just wiring the inverter OUTPUT to two outlets.

What is amp draw to charge your eBikes?

What size battery bank do you have?

Wonder if generator run time to recharge the batteries will be any less than generator run time to charge the eBikes directly-- neither charging nor inverting process are 100% efficient, so you are loosing efficiency at both ends.

[Teleman]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I found the breaker for the converter. I'd only be using it for a coffee machine. My TVs etc are all 12v. I got the inverter mainly to charge the eBikes we just bought.

[Grit_dog]

I don’t understand the point of this. Is it to not have to wire the inverter into the AC breaker box?
Because surely you’re not plugging a live shore power cord into something that effectively generates “shore power.”
Going to need to explain better, for me at least, what it is you’re trying to accomplish.

[Lwiddis]

Since an inverter changes 12 volt battery power into 120 volt, why would you plug 120 volt shore power into an inverter?

[wolfe10]

Indeed, for the sake of your electrical system, if you do decide to plug your shore power cord into the inverter OUT, turn off all the breakers that you do not want to power from your inverter.

It would be easy for someone to forget and turn on your roof A/C. NOT a good idea!

Much, much safer to either wire the inverter OUT to a sub-panel or directly from inverter OUT to just those outlets you want powered by the inverter.

[time2roll]

Teleman wrote:
If I want to plug my shore power cable into my inverter I need to switch of the converter correct? Where might I find it in my 2000 Airstream Land Yacht?

YES.
Look in or near the cabinet with the 120v breakers or the stack of 12v fuses.