Community Forums

DeeGee · 07-17-2015, 04:01 PM

The lot where I park my RV has two (wow!) 15 amp circuits to cover the whole lot. I could plug in and leave the inverter on, thus keeping my batteries up. However, the lot attendant told me that the circuits trip regularly, as they are often overloaded. Nothing is done until someone complains, and they reset the breaker. In spite of being told that the service is not very reliable, there are those who leave a refrigerator full of food and complain when it spoils.

I've had my batteries go flat while parked twice. I haven't figured out the load that is causing it. I'm tempted to plug in, but if the power does go, the inverter will just pull the batteries flat more quickly. Should I just pass on this?

Time to install a solar panel, perhaps.

Bucky1320 · 07-17-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

The lot where I park my RV has two (wow!) 15 amp circuits to cover the whole lot. I could plug in and leave the inverter on, thus keeping my batteries up. However, the lot attendant told me that the circuits trip regularly, as they are often overloaded. Nothing is done until someone complains, and they reset the breaker. In spite of being told that the service is not very reliable, there are those who leave a refrigerator full of food and complain when it spoils.

I've had my batteries go flat while parked twice. I haven't figured out the load that is causing it. I'm tempted to plug in, but if the power does go, the inverter will just pull the batteries flat more quickly. Should I just pass on this?

Time to install a solar panel, perhaps.

Solar panels sure.
But I need to figure out this inverter deal. Why not plug in and leave the INVERTER off? Your CONVERTER (ie battery charger) will keep the batteries up as long as there is not a tripped breaker.

Sky_Boss · 07-17-2015, 04:13 PM

Personally...I would move on. The fact that others have already complained about the power situation should tell you something.

nothermark · 07-17-2015, 04:15 PM

If you cannot shut off the inverter function without disabling the converter section of your dual purpose inverter/converter then consider a separate smart battery maintainer that will just keep your batteries up while they are disconnected from the rest of the coach. The maintainer will come back on line whenever the power comes back and keep your batteries up. You might want separate maintainers for the house and chassis battery banks. (I would.) If you disconnect the batteries from the coach the only parasitic load will be the internal battery losses that should take weeks to run down the batteries. You might also want to set up the chassis maintainer so it can be conveniently plugged into the MH when traveling if you park for more than a few days at a time. If you use a maintainer check the water levels as part of your getting ready to go.

FWIW folks who leave food in their refer under conditions like that deserve to lose it. They know going in that there is not enough power to handle their demand.

Monacoach · 07-17-2015, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothermark

If you cannot shut off the inverter function without disabling the converter section of your dual purpose inverter/converter then consider a separate smart battery maintainer that will just keep your batteries up while they are disconnected from the rest of the coach. The maintainer will come back on line whenever the power comes back and keep your batteries up. You might want separate maintainers for the house and chassis battery banks. (I would.) If you disconnect the batteries from the coach the only parasitic load will be the internal battery losses that should take weeks to run down the batteries. You might also want to set up the chassis maintainer so it can be conveniently plugged into the MH when traveling if you park for more than a few days at a time. If you use a maintainer check the water levels as part of your getting ready to go.

FWIW folks who leave food in their refer under conditions like that deserve to lose it. They know going in that there is not enough power to handle their demand.

I leave the propane on as a backup in case power is lost. I hope I dont deserve to lose my food.

wa8yxm · 07-17-2015, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucky1320

Solar panels sure.
But I need to figure out this inverter deal. Why not plug in and leave the INVERTER off? Your CONVERTER (ie battery charger) will keep the batteries up as long as there is not a tripped breaker.

I will answer that one .. The inverter *IS* the converter

If his inverter is anything like mine he has 3 or 4 On/Off switches (one is optional)
one disables/enables the charger module
One disables the Inverter module or allows it to operate on automatic (when needed).

And the big red switch (I do not recall if it's red in fact I think it's yellow or white but it is bigger than the rest) Turns it OFF and I mean OFF (Still it draws some idle power) NO 120 volt power passes and only tiny amounts of 12 volt power drawn..

The 4th (optional) switch does the same as the big switch if the big switch is set to REMOTE Mine is not.

I normally leave the inverter's charger off because the RV came with a PDI 9180+wizard and I like it's program better than what I can set up on the Prosine. But if you get a big inverter FACTORY installed (mine is after market) They do not put in a second converter like I have.

Bucky1320 · 07-17-2015, 05:29 PM

If the inverter part of the unit can be turned off, then turn it off. I can't imagine a manufacturer not giving you the option of turning off an inverter without turning off the converter.

djbmsu · 07-17-2015, 06:00 PM

the other poster was correct in look for another storage location. Over loaded circuits cause fires.

mhbell · 07-17-2015, 07:09 PM

If your batteries are going dead, How long do you leave it parked before using it? if everything is turned off then you should be able to leave it for 30 days and still have plenty of battery to start the unit. Note I said if everything is turned off. You can always put a battery disconnect on the positive side of the battery bank and one on the chassis battery. If the batteries are run down in a short time with the power turned off, Then either there is something still turned on or your Battery / Batteries are shot and won't hold a charge.

normandlegra · 07-17-2015, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

The lot where I park my RV has two (wow!) 15 amp circuits to cover the whole lot. I could plug in and leave the inverter on, thus keeping my batteries up. However, the lot attendant told me that the circuits trip regularly, as they are often overloaded. Nothing is done until someone complains, and they reset the breaker. In spite of being told that the service is not very reliable, there are those who leave a refrigerator full of food and complain when it spoils.

I've had my batteries go flat while parked twice. I haven't figured out the load that is causing it. I'm tempted to plug in, but if the power does go, the inverter will just pull the batteries flat more quickly. Should I just pass on this?

Time to install a solar panel, perhaps.

Is this a campsite or just a storage lot for your rv ?
If it is a storage, don't connect the rv to the shore line, just disconnect all your batteries with the kill switches; coming back some time later, they'll be in great shape.
p.s. you could buy a 5 WATT solar panel and connect it to your crank batteries.

ecurb74 · 07-17-2015, 08:10 PM

I ran into the same problem last winter. 4 RVs on one 20 amp circuit. It was a about 10 degrees out and they called me a few days later to tell me they had a problem with the breaker tripping. I saw the hand writing on the wall and moved to another location where there is a breaker for each space. Some RVs still have items running even though the disconnect switch is off! It only cost me three chassis batteries. Move on and find somewhere else. The peace of mind will be worth it.

Bruce & Teresa
2000 Foretravel U320 4010
Cummins ISM 450hp
Allison HD4060R 6 Spd W/Retarder

Bucky1320 · 07-17-2015, 08:10 PM

What about using the battery disconnects?

normandlegra · 07-17-2015, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucky1320

What about using the battery disconnects?

That's what i meant by "kill switches" !

PushedAround · 07-17-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

The lot where I park my RV has two (wow!) 15 amp circuits to cover the whole lot. I could plug in and leave the inverter on, thus keeping my batteries up. However, the lot attendant told me that the circuits trip regularly, as they are often overloaded. Nothing is done until someone complains, and they reset the breaker. In spite of being told that the service is not very reliable, there are those who leave a refrigerator full of food and complain when it spoils.

I've had my batteries go flat while parked twice. I haven't figured out the load that is causing it. I'm tempted to plug in, but if the power does go, the inverter will just pull the batteries flat more quickly. Should I just pass on this?

Time to install a solar panel, perhaps.

If you are worried about the inverter running your batteries down on a power failure, why not just use a small plug-in battery charger to keep them topped off, and leave the inverter shut off? You probably should carry one anyway. Years ago on my very first outing my inverter failed and fortunately a veteran camper had a charger to lend me. I'll never be without a small charger, just in case.