Community Forums

RLC06 · 10-08-2017, 09:12 AM

I'm trying to figure out when we hook to shore power do we have to turn our inverter off? The book says it automatically changes to standby mode. We have a 2003 Monaco Windsor 40PST and for the last year of ownership when we get home I have plugged it in to shore power but have not turned the inverter off. Will this damage or put the inverter at risk? If I am supposed to turn it off, what is the reasoning and do I need to go out every so often and turn it back on to charge my batteries? TIA! still learning.

Mr_D · 10-08-2017, 09:20 AM

The only reason I can see to have to turn it off is to keep the batteries from overcharging.
I turn mine off but that's just my preference. If the power goes out the home refer will drain my battery bank pretty quickly. I put a lamp in a window I can see out the stick house kitchen window. No light, no power. Then I can figure out what is wrong and my batteries aren't ruined.

greg4444 · 10-08-2017, 09:30 AM

Leave it on. It will just go to pass thru. The only time to turn it off would be to save batteries when not plugged in to shore power, such as storage or leaving it at a shop for a few days. With 2 inverters, I would turn the charger off on one, but otherwise everything is left on while plugged in.

Flyin4Fun · 10-08-2017, 09:36 AM

No, you do not need to turn the inverter ON to charge your batteries. The 'inverter' gets its power from the 12 volt batteries and converts or ”inverts” 12 volt DC to 115 AC. While the system does have a battery charging function, the INVERTER SWITCH specifically is operating the inverter function to INVERT low voltage DC to high voltage AC power.

In my 04 Monaco, I have never turned the inverter off. There are people who recommend having it ON only when you're using it. But, in my opinion, you would be missing one of the benefits of the system; it senses a loss of shore power and will almost instantaneously switch to inverted power. It acts as a quasi UPS (uninterruptible power supply). As a full-timer, I have lived through power outages and never noticed it... Only to find out the next day that my neighbors we're suffering without power (specifically those in fifth wheels).

RileyCaton · 10-08-2017, 10:33 PM

Our inverter has been on for the past seven years of full-timing and has caused no problems.

Captjake1 · 10-08-2017, 10:55 PM

We leave it on all of the time. If shore power fails, I am covered by switching to inverter.
Bad part is if it switches to inverter...you don't always know!
I leave it on always.