inverters/fridges/AC on generators

Question

Ok all you electrical savoy folks , I have a question for you all...

In 2 weeks I will be dry camping as part of our bi-annual race weekends.. but this will be the first time with the new trailer , that's where you informed folks come in.....

I run 2 Honda eu2000's together , IF it is hot , I run 1 AC off them.. Hot water is always on gas.. the residential fridge is on an inverter...

If I am running the AC , is it easier on the genny's to run the inverter to power the fridge , OR turn off the inverter and run it directly off the genny's ??

ivylog · Answer

Inverters are approximately 95% efficient so if saving 5% is worth the effort plug it straight in. You will save another 5% by not having to charge the batteries to run the inverter. I would turn the icemaker off when running the air conditioning if not on the inverter.

vintageracer · Answer

I would run the fridge from the generator if they are running. Fridge doesn't take much, and two eu2000's are well up to the task. My inverter would do that switch automatically and pass through the generator power directly to the fridge without me doing anything, and it would switch to charging the batteries automatically as well. You would basically be doing manually what mine is set up to do automatically.

Brian

ford_truck_guy · Answer

VintageRacer wrote:I would run the fridge from the generator if they are running.  Fridge doesn't take much, and two eu2000's are well up to the task.  My inverter would do that switch automatically and pass through the generator power directly to the fridge without me doing anything, and it would switch to charging the batteries automatically as well.  You would basically be doing manually what mine is set up to do automatically.Brianwell ,mine does that as well , I was just not sure which way would be better for the output..??  So it sounds like I will not touch a thing... keep it on float and let it automatically switch over..

time2roll · Answer

I would think the inverter has an automatic transfer switch that automatically switches to utility/generator power when available.

If it is an inverter/charger you want to at least keep the charging section on to top off the batteries.

Yes it is more efficient to power the fridge directly off the generator power when available.

valhalla360 · Answer

With your setup...you are overthinking it to even worry about it.

You have 4000peak watts and the steady draw of your air/con is probably around 1200-1500watts. The 100-150watts for your fridge still leaves you well under the continous rating even with some minor losses.

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