Inverter install

[Hurricaner]

On my installation I just installed a 50 amp receptacle in the power cord compartment and powered it from the inverter output. Whenever I unplug from shore power I plug in to the inverter 50 amp receptacle and since the gen is already wired to a transfer switch, I don't have to mess with anything except the inverter on off switch.

Since it is a 50 amp service I only powered one hot leg. My unit was already wired with the converter, microwave and rear AC on one leg and everything else on the other which is a reasonable load balance(if yours is not like this it is easy to change by swapping the wires on the breakers). You could also put the microwave on the inverter powered leg.

The important thing is the converter, one AC unit and electric water heater element(if you have one) should not be on the inverter powered leg. Even though you don't want to power the AC, it would not be a good idea to put them both on the same leg.

It is also a good idea to put the reefer on the non inverter leg, but this might be difficult as it is tied into the receptacle circuit which you probably want to power. I just switch it to gas only when we are not on shore power, eventually I will run a new non inverter circuit.(that should be fun)

When I plug the inverter in everything is powered except the converter, microwave and rear AC. I also located the inverter reasonably close to the batteries and inside the RV so it is easy to shut down.

Sam

[Hurricaner]

On my installation I just installed a 50 amp receptacle in the power cord compartment and powered it from the inverter output. Whenever I unplug from shore power I plug in to the inverter 50 amp receptacle and since the gen is already wired to a transfer switch, I don't have to mess with anything except the inverter on off switch.

Since it is a 50 amp service I only powered one hot leg. My unit was already wired with the converter, microwave and rear AC on one leg and everything else on the other which is a reasonable load balance(if yours is not like this it is easy to change by swapping the wires on the breakers). You could also put the microwave on the inverter powered leg.

The important thing is the converter, one AC unit and electric water heater element(if you have one) should not be on the inverter powered leg. Even though you don't want to power the AC, it would not be a good idea to put them both on the same leg.

It is also a good idea to put the reefer on the non inverter leg, but this might be difficult as it is tied into the receptacle circuit which you probably want to power. I just switch it to gas only when we are not on shore power, eventually I will run a new non inverter circuit.(that should be fun)

When I plug the inverter in everything is powered except the converter, microwave and rear AC. I also located the inverter reasonably close to the batteries and inside the RV so it is easy to shut down.

Sam

[Chandler]

Sam, not a bad idea. I wonder if they're all wired like that? We have a 50 amp site this weekend and I'll trip one breaker at a time on the post and see what works.
You are going to keep me very busy!

Btw, I took the wiring diagram you sent me and played with it. I never knew I had that program on my computer. How did you copy the pictoral image of the solenoids?

Chandler

[Hurricaner]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I wonder if they're all wired like that? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm pretty sure yours is identical to mine. You will not be able to test it on a 50 amp breaker as they are tied together just like your main breaker in the MH panel. What you can do is, start your gen pull the cover and shut off one breaker, than reinstall the cover and see what does and doesn't work, that will tell you how the power is split between the legs. Note: This is probably only going to work with one of the breakers, the one that powers the transfer switch. Let me go check just to make sure.
Yep that's the way it works on my 5500, if you turn off the upper Onan 30 amp breaker the MW, rear A/C and converter are all on, my inverter operates the opposite leg. If you turn the other breaker off nothing works because the transfer switch has no power. Time for another drawing?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">How did you copy the pictoral image of the solenoids?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE> On the acrobat reader menu their is a graphics selection tool that allows you to select and copy graphics. There is also a text tool. These don't work with all PDF files. From there you can just paste it into paint

Sam

[Chandler]

Thanks Sam! I'm heading out to finish loading the MH for our trip this weekend. I'll try your tip.
Later tonight I'll play with adding images to my schematic.

Chandler

[John-D]

One thing... So long as you pay attention to the balancing of loads you can "Shuffle" the breakers a bit to get the loads you want on the leg the inverter powers.

Just remember AC one to a leg

Hot water heater and microwave One to a leg

The remaining loads I will let you decide but you do not want the converter on the powered leg

[max49]

Dang!, it sounds like Hurricaner is not only an electrical wizard but also darn good with the computer too.
Good to have a guy like that on our Damon forum.
I just basicly plug the entire 50 amp cord with adapters into my inverter and I've got power to every thing. Of course the inverter will shut it all down if I draw too much at once. I also trip the circuit breaker for the converter. It works for me but if I knew as much as Hurricaner about MH's electrical system, I'd do it like him. However my inverter is in an outside compartment with a remote swith inside. Biggest hassle is turning the converter circuit breaker off. Some times when I'm driving down the road and the alternator is charging the batteries, I don't turn the converter off. do you think that may be a mistake? Haven't noticed a problem yet.

[Chandler]

Hey Max! We do this all the time. I run the laptop with the nav software and the wife runs her heating pad.
It's not much of a load on the charging system. We turn off the converter, switch the 'fridge to gas and away we go.

Chandler

[Hurricaner]

John-D, Great post, right on the money.

Sam

[FEDowner]

Hurricaner can you send me schematic and picsof your install? TIA

[Hurricaner]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Hurricaner can you send me schematic and picsof your install? TIA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
As of right now, I don't have either. What specifically would you like to know?

Sam

[Provelogear]

Sam,

Where did you locate your inverter and how is it tied into the batteries?

Sounds easy!