120V without inverter or shore power?

[jwilson2000]

I'm trying to install a cell phone booster and am a little confused about the various modes of power in my 2012 Winnebago Via. It has a Xantrex 1000W Inverter with a on/off control panel in the RV.

What's confusing to me is while trying to figure out how to get 12V to the cell booster, I pulled the nearby Jensen radio/AV/DVD receiver (not the dash radio) from the wall and found a hidden outlet behind it which the Jensen is plugged into with a 120V to 12V adapter. The radio works even when the inverter is off and no shore power so where is that power coming from?

Also, when I'm plugged into shore power, I assume that supplies all of the outlets. Is it possible to damage the inverter if it's accidentally on while connected to shore power?

[twinboat]

No damage, my inverter is on all of the time, even with shore or generator power.

The inverter will have a pass thru switch letting shore power run thru its circuit to the outlets. Once shore power is off, the inverter powers that same circuit.

Can't explain the radio working unplugged or why they would power it that way.

[Talloaks]

When changing out my house batteries earlier this year, I traced and mapped all the cables for future reference. One of the cables connected directly to the battery positive, I discovered fed a somewhat hidden small second inverter which fed the outdoor TV/Entertainment center located in the first PS basement compartment.

I suppose it's possible you could have a similar setup powering your stereo system from a small secondary inverter. Can't think of any other scenario that would explain what you described.

[jwilson2000]

After looking at the wiring diagram on the back of the phone, discovered that there are two power wires. One is connected directly to the house batteries and the other goes to the plug which is powered through the inverter. Odd that the radio lights up but certain functions won't work without the inverter.

Good to know I can just leave the inverter on. Thanks for the responses.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by jwilson2000

After looking at the wiring diagram on the back of the phone, discovered that there are two power wires. One is connected directly to the house batteries and the other goes to the plug which is powered through the inverter. Odd that the radio lights up but certain functions won't work without the inverter.

Good to know I can just leave the inverter on. Thanks for the responses.

There should be no 120 volts going to the radio.

[oneknight]

Just for general info:

120VAC comes from either shore power or generator. There will be an automatic transfer switch to select one or the other, generally they favor the genny if both are active.

The inverter will feed many 120vac loads. As mentioned above, it will have an internal bypass switch that kicks in when on shore power.

While it's a good idea to minimize the load before switching power source, you won't blow anything up.