Community Forums

RV Vagabond · 06-28-2016, 06:29 PM

Some of my motorhome's 110 volt outlets are not wired through the inverter, and my dealer said that is because the inverter is too small to handle all of them. Does that make sense to you

Mr_D · 06-28-2016, 06:35 PM

Yes
What size is the inverter in question?
We have a 12.5Kw generator to match the 50 amp input but only a 3000 watt inverter. However, all our plugs are powered off the inverter. But if I need to I can add another 3000 watt inverter.

mhs4771 · 06-28-2016, 06:58 PM

You could buy an inverter to run everything in your unit, but you would have to tow a trailer load of batteries to be able to supply that much AC power.

TQ60 · 06-28-2016, 07:12 PM

Not that many things nowadays really need the inverter.

Many consumer electronics now have native 12 volt power so outside of coffee maker and a few other items clever product selection can greatly reduce the need for inverters.

Mr_D · 06-28-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhs4771

You could buy an inverter to run everything in your unit, but you would have to tow a trailer load of batteries to be able to supply that much AC power.

Not really. Our last rig had 4 GC-2 6 volt batteries and everything but the washer/dryer, heat pumps and refer would run off the inverter.

alvo · 06-28-2016, 07:28 PM

Like in a house, outlets should be wired so that you won't overload things. A single outlet should be able to handle 15-20 amps. If you wire 10 outlets on one circuit, the total amps they should be able to handle is still 15-20 amps. If you've got everything on one leg of the output, whether generator, inverter, or shore power there should be a fuse/circuit breaker to limit the current draw. There is nothing dangerous about having more outlets on one circuit if you are aware of what is plugged into all the outlets and you're not trying to draw more current than the wiring can safely handle.

In my RV I have a 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter that is connected to five outlets, running the TV, a computer, and charging phones. The refrigerator, AC, water heater are all on different circuits.

MtnTrek · 06-28-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Some of my motorhome's 110 volt outlets are not wired through the inverter, and my dealer said that is because the inverter is too small to handle all of them. Does that make sense to you

Makes a lot of sense, considering many RV's had no inverters a few short yrs. ago. Well, except for the solar powered self sufficient campers.
The popularity of residential refrigerators has driven the current trend.
Did you check into the more expensive optional inverters, battery bank options, and the involved weights while closing your deal? Everything is a compromise.

Happy motoring.

MisterT · 06-28-2016, 10:01 PM

how do you know that some are not powered by the inverter?

Mr_D · 06-28-2016, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

Makes a lot of sense, considering many RV's had no inverters a few short yrs. ago. Well, except for the solar powered self sufficient campers.

Really? I bought a new TT in the mid 70's and it had an inverter. And every RV we've had since has had one. Guess I'm just lucky?

RV Vagabond · 06-28-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterT

how do you know that some are not powered by the inverter?

They work only when using shore power or the generator.

I don't see why it matters how many outlets I have wired to the inverter, if I am using only one at the time. It's a matter of convenience.

Dutch Star Don · 06-28-2016, 10:20 PM

Actually, you don't want all your outlets to be inverted. Disconnect the shore power and then turn on your inverter. Take a Sharpie and put a dot on all the outlets that are inverted.

It's not recommended to plug things like space heaters into inverted outlets, even when connected to shore power. Most large inverters, when connected to shore power, pass 110 power through the inverter "pass thru". Constant high amp loads like heaters can be detrimental to the inverter. It's not an absolute, but should be avoided.

bluepill · 06-28-2016, 10:29 PM

I find my 2000 watt inverter fine for all my uses. Watching TV for up to 5 hours, running the coffee maker, toaster, or microwave for no more than 10 minutes. If I run loads larger or longer or at the same time, it's genny time.

RV Vagabond · 06-28-2016, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Actually, you don't want all your outlets to be inverted. Disconnect the shore power and then turn on your inverter. Take a Sharpie and put a dot on all the outlets that are inverted. It's not recommended to plug things like space heaters into inverted outlets, even when connected to shore power. Most large inverters, when connected to shore power, pass 110 power through the inverter "pass thru". Constant high amp loads like heaters can be detrimental to the inverter. It's not an absolute, but should be avoided.

I haven't thought of that but question: If an outlet is wired to the inverter, which is turned off when on shore power or generator, will the outlet then be powered?

Mr_D · 06-28-2016, 10:30 PM

I ran two 1500 watt heaters every winter for 13 years in the '02 Dutch Star with never any troubles. Still had the same inverter and transfer switch in it as it came from Newmar.