We have a Go Power IC Series 3000 watt inverter and 50 amp service on our 5th wheel. I have 2 complaints about it that I wasn't aware of when it was installed. The monitor panel only monitors Line 1. The current limit function only limits current on Line 1. So when plugged into a relative's 15 or 20 amp service, we can only see and control what is being drawn on Line 1. And I would like to control the current on both lines so we wouldn't inadvertently trip the breaker feeding the RV.Is it possible to have two 2000 watt inverters (one on each line)? My dealer says no. But I don't see why not as nothing in the RV runs on 240 volts. Correct me if I'm wrong, but to create 240 VAC for two 120 VAC lines, the 2 lines have to be out of phase. And if the lines were in phase, 0 VAC would be measured across the 2 lines. So the output of the 2 inverters would be out of phase when plugged into a 50 amp service and in phase when plugged into 30 (or less) amp service. But I don't see an issue with that. Am I missing something?

Let's start from the beginning: The inverter, no matter what, typically runs with a 12 VDC input. For this part, you can hook up your 12 VDC line to two inverters without any problem.Second, each of those inverters typically has two each 120V AC single phase lines at the output which would give you a total of four 120vac, 15/20 amp, single phase lines.Third, you don't have to use all four! For example, you can use one line from each inverter. Use one line to power one side of the RV, and another line to power the other side. If your inverter has a line monitor that watches only one line, use that line on one side, and use one line from the other inverter on the other side. Both lines would be monitored.However, since each of the four lines has an individual breaker in the inverter, it will monitor itself anyway.Kinda expensive. Also, you say you may be plugged into a relative's 15 or 20 amp line. I have to assume this means you are running off an AC line and really don't need an inverter, since the inverter makes AC from DC in.Two each, 2000 watt inverters in the above suggestion will be able to produce a maximum of 2000 watts since you are only using half of each one. However, those inverters are taking power from your batteries. The batteries have to be charged from the relatives house AC power which is limited to 15 or possibly 20amps. A 20 amp AC line from the relatives house can only deliver a MAX of 2400 watts and that is assuming no losses and a perfect condition.I guess I've talked myself into getting confused about what you really want to do.

Ok the answer to "Is it possible to have two inverters for 50 amp service" is.. like the answer the old men gave to the question Boxers or Briefs... "Depends".Some.. For example when I first got my RV I had an inverter installed. It's no longer made but it was an Xantrex Prosine 2.0... NOW. I only had selected systems on the prosine.. but this model has a port that can be used to "Sync" it with another of the same model to produce 240 volts divided into two 120 volt legs (Same as the power from the park/pole).That said the Xantrex that replaced it when it died.> DOES NOT HAVE the ability to team with another for 120/240/120 volt operation. I checked the Spec page for the Go Power IC Series 3000 watt inverter and it does not appear to be one that can be paired in this manner.What do I suggest:Take your pick of one of the following products and install it in the Shore Power line before the Automatic transfer switch (or alternatively next section)Progressive Industries HW-50C (hard wired surge protection) WITH REMOTE.The remote monitors both linesSouthwire/TRC Surge Guard. 34550 With optional remote Or any equivlant product These are hard wired Surge guards they monitor incoming voltage. Current and in some cases other stuff. they will alert you to open ground or neutral and so on (I put mine before the auto transfer switch so it did not deal with the generator which has a monitoring system of it's own)The alternatige is the portable version of the same devices.. Some now link to a phone app via Wi-Fi.. But make sure you get the top end units NOT the cheaper ones which do not monitor current... I prefer the hard wired for several reasons,1 You never forget them as they are always there2: Outta Sight, Outta mind (of Sticky Fingered type) so they do not grow legs.The may..howeger...fail.. and thus mine was installed in the manner of the Hughes Autoformer (Look it up) so that if it failed I could physically bypass it. (never happened. though the older portable did die).

Larry, I can see where my post is confusing. We have 1600 watts of solar and 618 ah of batteries. We might want to run 2 A/C units while plugged in to a 15 or 20 amp circuit. The IC series inverter allows you to limit incoming current, making up the rest from batteries. But it only does this on Line 1. By going with 2 inverters, I can limit the current on each line thereby avoiding tripping the shore breaker. And the inverters will get the excess amps from the batteries.

Nice post, wa8yxm. But doesn't really answer my question. BTW, neither did GoPower tech support. Since I don't have any 240 VAC appliances, I don't see why I couldn't have 2 separate inverters and no need to sync them.

Simple, install a good EMS that has a remote display of both legs L1 & L2.I have the Progressive Hardwired EMS and know exactly what the voltage and current are on each leg.

Two inverters for 50 amp service | Good Sam Community

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2022
Cptnvideo wrote:
The monitor panel only monitors Line 1. The current limit function only limits current on Line 1. So when plugged into a relative's 15 or 20 amp service, we can only see and control what is being drawn on Line 1. And I would like to control the current on both lines so we wouldn't inadvertently trip the breaker feeding the RV.

Yes, you can get a current monitor that will display the current being draw on each leg, if that is what you want. This will NOT solve the problem of tripping a 15A or 20A service feeding your RV. When your RV is hooked to your relative's garage outlet the adapter will only feed 1/2 of your AC breaker box in your RV. That 1/2 can STILL pull 50A !

Cptnvideo wrote:
Is it possible to have two 2000 watt inverters (one on each line)? My dealer says no. But I don't see why not as nothing in the RV runs on 240 volts.

This statement has nothing to do with your first statement. Inverters are feed from batteries, not an outside AC voltage source. (Unless you are going to use an external battery charger connected to your relative's garage outlet. If you do this, you have the water tank problem. Will the incoming water (power from garage outlet) be able to keep up with the outgoing water (power to your RV))

Cptnvideo wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but to create 240 VAC for two 120 VAC lines, the 2 lines have to be out of phase. And if the lines were in phase, 0 VAC would be measured across the 2 lines. So the output of the 2 inverters would be out of phase when plugged into a 50 amp service and in phase when plugged into 30 (or less) amp service. But I don't see an issue with that. Am I missing something?

(240VAC is not 2 phase. It is "split phase", but ...) You are correct ! You can do this but it will not meet any electrical code !

Can You Power a 240 Volt Panel With Two 120 Volt Inverters?

You can do something similar at your relatives house IF you can find another outlet that is on the opposite leg from the breaker panel and you have the correct adapter (likely custom made).
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 09, 2022
Cptnvideo wrote:
time2roll wrote:
My suggested 50 amp battery charger would have done about the same thing. Glad to hear the GP is working for you.

I guess I don't understand your suggestion.
I have 1600 watts solar, 618 ah LFP batteries, Victron MPPT controller, and a 3kw GoPower inverter/charger. And what I want to do is run a few more amps of load than what shore power provides. Not always, just on occasion like my example of the heat pump.
What would a 50 amp charger do that my inverter/charger wouldn't do?

The idea was to not plug in the RV. Just run on the inverter. And use a simple battery charger from the limited supply to keep the battery charged. At times the inverter may draw more power and start depleting the battery. Once the large load cycles off the battery charger refills the battery. Also while the large load is running the battery charger would reduce the load on the battery.

The load on the outlet would always be limited to the rating of the battery charger.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 09, 2022
Cptnvideo,

He means the battery charger would have done just about the same thing as the inverter/charger using the idea of "double conversion".

Shore power-->battery charger-->battery bank-->inverter-->RV shore power cord.

The battery charger would not over load the shore power connection. Which is not quite the same thing that the inverter/charger does.

Double conversion works well but is not as efficient as a hybrid inverter/charger. The battery charger is about 87% efficient; and the inverter is about the same at 87%. That means total losses are 26%. Your inverter/charger is about 87% so the loss is only 13%.

Long before I had a hybrid inverter/charger I often used double conversion. My RV is still set up to do that because some shore power connections (gfci) don't play well with the Magnum.

I'm glad to hear your results! Congratulations!
Cptnvideo
Nomad
Dec 09, 2022
time2roll wrote:
My suggested 50 amp battery charger would have done about the same thing. Glad to hear the GP is working for you.

I guess I don't understand your suggestion.
I have 1600 watts solar, 618 ah LFP batteries, Victron MPPT controller, and a 3kw GoPower inverter/charger. And what I want to do is run a few more amps of load than what shore power provides. Not always, just on occasion like my example of the heat pump.
What would a 50 amp charger do that my inverter/charger wouldn't do?
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 09, 2022
My suggested 50 amp battery charger would have done about the same thing. Glad to hear the GP is working for you.
Cptnvideo
Nomad
Dec 09, 2022
Time2roll (and any others that are interested)
I did the load share test while plugged into a 15 amp outside outlet while we had a short stay at my wife's daughter's home. And I was pleasantly surprised. Nights got down to the low 50s. Line 2 load ran 4 to 5 amps, so I set the load share limit to 8 amps. (Remember now that the GoPower load share only limits current draw on Line 1.) I then turned on the charger part of the GoPower inverter (per GoPower) and set the heat pump thermostat to 70° (heat pump is on Line 1). I also adjusted the charge rate to 10%. When the heat pump ran, it drew about 20 amps from the batteries and when the heat pump was off, the charger was putting about 20 amps back into the batteries. I did have a net loss of about 60 ah overnight as the heat pump run time exceeded the off time.
I hope my explanation makes sense.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2022
I read the original post and skipped everything else !

Will it work ? QUALIFIED YES !

Can You Power a 240 Volt Panel With Two 120 Volt Generators?

I have not seen any RV that has 240V appliances and those clearly will NOT work !
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 17, 2022
Cptnvideo wrote:
You're also missing the point, Don.
Bigger inverter implies not using shore power assist, which would therefore require more/bigger batteries.

Hi Cptn,

Nope. I'd never buy an inverter/charger that did not allow load support or shore power assist. It is FAR to convenient a feature to give up.

I actually down sized my battery bank once I had the Magnum unit.

On the other hand--I started with just a 2500 watt inverter and "limited" my power use by only plugging in the converter (about 800 watts). I'd plug the shore power cord into the inverter and do "double conversion".

I still have that ability as some gfci circuits do not play well with the Magnum 3000 hybrid inverter charger.

That "feature", the STUPID decision to use 120 volt cooling fans, and HUGE input surge are why I do NOT recommend the Magnum.
Cptnvideo
Nomad
Nov 16, 2022
Thanks, t2r.
We're currently plugged into 50 amp 2 pole at DW's sister's home. But when we get back to Phoenix in December, we will have the opportunity to augment 15 amp shore power.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 16, 2022
Let us know how it works out.

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