Inverter / shore power

[SFB]

When plugged into shore power(120v) my RV is limited to inverter capacity (3000watts). Is this normal operation or is the integrated / internal ATS in the inverter faulty? I would think that when plugged into 120v power that I would have somewhat unlimited wattage available.

[photopilot]

Providing your RV or inverter make, model and year will help get an answer. 3000W is 25 Amps at 120V. I’m going to assume you have a 30A plug, so a total of 3000W isn’t unreasonable. If all your power goes through the inverter, it would have the same fuses if you were running off battery or plugged in. If you have a separate transfer switch, then it’s a different story.

Walt

[TacomaJoe]

If you have a 30A cord on the RV, that's 30A at 120V equals 3600W.

[TravelSolo]

Need the specs on your inverter. Even my 3000W inverter charger can pass through a full 30A (3600W)

[dssl]

There are different types of inverters, and different ways of connecting those inverters.

What model Inverter do you have? Is it just an inverter, or is it an inverter/charger? What parts of your RV are powered off the inverter, when you are not plugged in?

If it's an inverter/charger it will normally have a bypass that will connect the input to the output when shore power is available. That bypass has a current limit that is inverter/charger model dependent. In most RVs the inverter or inverter/charger only drives a subset of the rv circuits.

[SFB]

Originally Posted by SFB

When plugged into shore power(120v) my RV is limited to inverter capacity (3000watts). Is this normal operation or is the integrated / internal ATS in the inverter faulty? I would think that when plugged into 120v power that I would have somewhat unlimited wattage available.

2015 Roadtrek 30amp service. Inverter/charger - Microgreen model# LW3000W-12-C or Model# MG-AXA-CI-3000-12-DC1

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by SFB

When plugged into shore power(120v) my RV is limited to inverter capacity (3000watts). Is this normal operation or is the integrated / internal ATS in the inverter faulty? I would think that when plugged into 120v power that I would have somewhat unlimited wattage available.

2015 Roadtrek 30amp service. Inverter/charger - Microgreen model# LW3000W-12-C or Model# MG-AXA-CI-3000-12-DC1

No, you never have even somewhat unlimited wattage available. The service entrance to your RV limits the available watts when on grid power. In this case a 30 amp 120 volt service entrance allows 30a X 120v = 3600 watts.

Pass through mode:

Specs show the inverter has a 30 amp Automatic Transfer Switch bypass when on shore power. Of course that means the full 3600 watts is available when on shore power. (Actually 96% efficient, so 28.8 amps or 3456 watts.)

Inverter mode:

When shore power is disconnected the inverter switches "on" and draws power from the battery. The inverter can deliver 3000 watts. It draws 3000 / 12 = 250 amps plus its conversion loss of 12% from the battery.

https://zlpower.en.made-in-china.com...-Inverter.html

12 volt Side of Life part 1
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
12 volt Side of Life part 2
The 12volt Side of Life Part 2
Some of the information is a little dated, but it is still pretty good

[Captain8]

Where'd you get this magic cord that gives you unlimited wattage when connected to shore??

You state 120v which is a 30amp 3 prong. 120x30=3600 code standard allows 80% usage so a good inverter would limit you to that 80% which is just under 3000w.