Community Forums

twinboat · 01-17-2023, 06:52 AM

I ran my 120 volt fridge, in my cruising boat, on inverter power for 8 years.

Even the few times we stayed at a dock, we didn't transfer to shore power.

A 2000 watt inverter is more then enough for a fridge, we also ran a dorm room microwave on it, along with TVs and phone chargers. You would need more battery capacity to run the micro though.

If you want to use a transfer switch, you just cut the wires going to the fridge outlet, after the breaker, and splice the switch in.

The Xantrex inverter transfer switch is OK but the Magnum model has a juntion box built in.

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bentjm · 01-17-2023, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvfigs

Thank you for the reply Don.

I read the manual and there is no mention of "pass through power." I sent an email to the Go Wise Power: https://gowisepower.com/

Is there a safe way to test the inverter for pass through power?

Here is my inverter: https://www.amazon.com/Power-TechOn-...88&sr=8-4&th=1

https://gowisepower.com/

I have the standard - 2000 watt pure sine

Based on the specs, it does not have pass thru capability.

It won't hurt it to stay on all the time as long as it has the right airflow clearances.

It will be a bit inefficient and it will put a fairly constant load on the batteries. Keep an eye on the electrolyte level in the batteries and you should be OK as long as you have a decent charger.

And, seal up the existing vents. They are not needed. Leaving them open creates a big air leak in your coach.

Sweetbriar · 01-17-2023, 12:51 PM

I have pretty much the same set up. 2000 watt non switching inverter (Xantrex Prowatt) and a Magic Chef 10 cuft fridge. My prospective -

1. Can I keep the inverter on 24/7? Will this eventually damage the inverter? Unlikely Inverters are pretty durable but why test the durability? Turn it off when not needed.

2. Should I install a small transfer switch to automatically manage shore power and inverter power? Is this necessary? This what I did. Installed a Xantrex 8080915 PROwatt SW Auto Transfer Switch (15 amp rated) as close to the fridge as possible. Uses shore power for the switch over.

3. When my rig is on shore power, will a transfer switch automatically shut down the inverter? Or, does the inverter stay on? Mine will not as the switch is sperate from the inverter. I turn the inverter on when the fridge has food in it otherwise it's off.

4. Would the transfer switch be connected to the fridge breaker in the electrical panel? My switch is in the power cable that feeds the outlet the fridge plugs into. Nothing else is fed power from this branch of the inverter.

5. Assuming I install a transfer switch for the fridge....will any electricity be "backfed" into the breaker panel if the inverter is on? For my set up with the Xantrex switch it's not possible and was high on my list of conditions to avoid.

6. Vents: Should I close-up side wall and roof vents? I sealed the roof and side wall vents.

Installed back in 2017 and still working just fine.

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the reply Twinboat. It was very helpful.

8 years without a transfer switch and no issues. This is great.

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentjm

Based on the specs, it does not have pass thru capability.

It won't hurt it to stay on all the time as long as it has the right airflow clearances.

It will be a bit inefficient and it will put a fairly constant load on the batteries. Keep an eye on the electrolyte level in the batteries and you should be OK as long as you have a decent charger.

And, seal up the existing vents. They are not needed. Leaving them open creates a big air leak in your coach.

Thanks for the reply.

You are correct. The inverter manufacturer just emailed me to confirm that Go Wise Power inverters do not have pass through power.

I did read that most residential fridges dissipate heat from the side walls. So, if there isn't enough of a gap on the side walls, then this could cause an issue with the fridge.

Wouldn't closing up the vents make this issue worse?

I'm just thinking out loud...

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

I have pretty much the same set up. 2000 watt non switching inverter (Xantrex Prowatt) and a Magic Chef 10 cuft fridge. My prospective -

1. Can I keep the inverter on 24/7? Will this eventually damage the inverter? Unlikely Inverters are pretty durable but why test the durability? Turn it off when not needed.

2. Should I install a small transfer switch to automatically manage shore power and inverter power? Is this necessary? This what I did. Installed a Xantrex 8080915 PROwatt SW Auto Transfer Switch (15 amp rated) as close to the fridge as possible. Uses shore power for the switch over.

3. When my rig is on shore power, will a transfer switch automatically shut down the inverter? Or, does the inverter stay on? Mine will not as the switch is sperate from the inverter. I turn the inverter on when the fridge has food in it otherwise it's off.

4. Would the transfer switch be connected to the fridge breaker in the electrical panel? My switch is in the power cable that feeds the outlet the fridge plugs into. Nothing else is fed power from this branch of the inverter.

5. Assuming I install a transfer switch for the fridge....will any electricity be "backfed" into the breaker panel if the inverter is on? For my set up with the Xantrex switch it's not possible and was high on my list of conditions to avoid.

6. Vents: Should I close-up side wall and roof vents? I sealed the roof and side wall vents.

Installed back in 2017 and still working just fine.

Thank you for the information and the pics. Extremely helpful.

Does your Magic Chef fridge experience any temperature swings? I've read the not having enough space around the fridge can become an issue. So, I'm still on the fence about keeping the vents closed.

bentjm · 01-17-2023, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvfigs

Thanks for the reply.

You are correct. The inverter manufacturer just emailed me to confirm that Go Wise Power inverters do not have pass through power.

I did read that most residential fridges dissipate heat from the side walls. So, if there isn't enough of a gap on the side walls, then this could cause an issue with the fridge.

Wouldn't closing up the vents make this issue worse?

I'm just thinking out loud...

Your existing Dometic refrigerator has a flange that is sealed all the way around at the front. When you remove it, you will see what I mean. The vents in the back and top are completely isolated from the interior of your coach.

Your new residential refrigerator will not be sealed at the front. Leaving the vents open is like having a window open all the time - without an effective screen.

Look at the specs for the refrigerator you are looking at - they will tell you the required clearances. My Samsung RF18 circulates air from the bottom.

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentjm

Your existing Dometic refrigerator has a flange that is sealed all the way around at the front. When you remove it, you will see what I mean. The vents in the back and top are completely isolated from the interior of your coach.

Your new residential refrigerator will not be sealed at the front. Leaving the vents open is like having a window open all the time - without an effective screen.

Look at the specs for the refrigerator you are looking at - they will tell you the required clearances. My Samsung RF18 circulates air from the bottom.

I see what you mean...

twinboat · 01-17-2023, 03:50 PM

Unmanned gas appliances ( fridge, water heater, furnace ) are sealed from the inside to prevent a gas leak from coming inside.

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Unmanned gas appliances ( fridge, water heater, furnace ) are sealed from the inside to prevent a gas leak from coming inside.

Thanks again Twinboat. As always, your input is always helpful.

rvfigs · 01-17-2023, 07:53 PM

I think I have a good handle on this upgrade now.

The irv2 community is terrific...always generous with time and information.

Thank you gentlemen

tompn · 01-19-2023, 05:23 PM

I installed this inverter with transfer switch for my RF18. It's been working fine for about 3 years.

https://theinverterstore.com/product...erter-charger/

Tom

rvfigs · 01-19-2023, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompn

I installed this inverter with transfer switch for my RF18. It's been working fine for about 3 years.

https://theinverterstore.com/product...erter-charger/

Tom

Thanks for the reply.

It's nice to get great feedback about the longevity of RV mods.

jacwjames · 01-21-2023, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompn

I installed this inverter with transfer switch for my RF18. It's been working fine for about 3 years.

https://theinverterstore.com/product...erter-charger/

Tom

I installed this same inverter to have as a backup. In 2021 I was on a trip and had electrical problems with my original inverter and power setup. Got that fixed but decided to go ahead and add a redundant inverter just in case. The way I've installed it I can power the refrigerator separate from the original but I can also run some other things as I put in a separate outlet PLUS I can use the inverter to help charge the batteries.