Last winter boondocking and having only a 400 watt inverter that attaches to battery posts with clamps. A couple times wanting to watch tv and not run yamaha gen, I just ran an extension cord from inverter in through a window and plugged the tv in. That worked fine. Would it work to make up an extension cord with male ends at both ends and just plug the one end into an outside plug thus powering up the trailer.Would this impact the trailers converter in any way?Da wife wanting to run her sewing machine I also plugged it into this 400 watt inverter. It would work but it buzzed or whined.

ivbinconned wrote:Last winter boondocking and having only a 400 watt inverter that attaches to battery posts with clamps. A couple times wanting to watch tv and not run yamaha gen, I just ran an extension cord from inverter in through a window and plugged the tv in. That worked fine. Would it work to make up an extension cord with male ends at both ends and just plug the one end into an outside plug thus powering up the trailer.Would this impact the trailers converter in any way?Da wife wanting to run her sewing machine I also plugged it into this 400 watt inverter. It would work but it buzzed or whined.instead of making a cord to kill yourself with, why not just plug the trailer cord into the inverter directly and shut off loads, that would overload the inverter?

Yes, plug the shore cord into the inverter via adapter, and be sure to turn off the converter. Fridge and water heater on gas.Sewing machine might be too much for the 400w (300w running) plus some sewing machines require PSW and won't run on MSW.

"DON'T DO IT" <<-- Clicky

I plug the RV cord into the inverter, leaving the main breaker on and shutting off everything else except the circuit I want to use.

NO on the suicide cord.But really easy to just wire the inverter into the power distribution panel with a $50 transfer switch and use your existing outlets.

Inverter use. | Good Sam Community

ivbinconned
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2019
It’s not on the same Circuit.
Happened once one other time 3 years ago.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 21, 2019
Is the fan on the GFCI circuit? And this never happened on utility power?
ivbinconned
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2019
I choose the 1000 Samlex from a local dealer. I mounted the remote switch inside basement right beside battery cut off switch. Within inches of the power bar where Ipluged in the converter.
Stepped into trailer to test. Tv on disc player on.
Turned on ceiling blade fan. Then stepped out to check the display on remote switch. I expected that since the fan was running I’d expected to see the output indicator on the display would be higher. So I’m happy.
However when I stepped back into trailer the moment I shut off the fan the GFI switch in the bath snapped. ??
DrewE
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2019
philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

It would depend on the sewing machine, I think. Probably most modern ones would as I think they'd use a phase control circuit for the motor speed control (similar to that in an AC electric drill or dimmer switch).

My old Riccar would probably operate fine, though perhaps more noisily, with an MSW inverter as its speed control appears to be just a variable resistor. The nameplate on it also suggests that it would work from a 115V DC circuit. I don't know that I will ever encounter a 115V DC power line in my life, but if I do and have to throw together some curtains or something, I'll be in luck.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 18, 2019
philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?
If any product has digital controls or a motor I highly recommend sine wave.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Nov 18, 2019
An older electric model with purely mechanical stitch selectors and an analog foot control (gas pedal) would be OK on a MSW inverter. One of the new fangled electromagical machines, probably not.

:):)
BFL13
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2019
philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

A friend's fancier one sure does. Won't run on MSW. Don't know about other ones.

A Singer treadmill one is the way to go with an RV. :)
philh
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2019
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?
crcr
Explorer
Nov 17, 2019
ivbinconned wrote:
Recommended brand?

Samlex Pure Sine Wave Inverters seem to have a very good reputation.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 17, 2019
ivbinconned wrote:
I suggested I would find her an old treadle sewing machine. She wasn’t impressed.
Searching the Internet 1000 pure inverters range from $450 to $1500. Can there be that by a difference in quality?

I have and recommend GoPower sine wave.

https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/products/go-power-gp-sw1000-12-inverter
$425

But you can go as low as $149 or I see $750 a Xantrex that I do not recommend (my 1800w burned up way too early).
https://www.donrowe.com/Inverters-1000-to-1800-Pure-Sine-Wave-s/1951.htm

Keep shopping.

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