Residential Fridge Inverter ?

[sandy43]

JRTJH, Is it best to leave the inverter on all the time or only when traveling?

[JRTJH]

That's a matter of opinion by many. To me, it's the same answer as the question, "Is it best to leave the television on all the time or just when watching?"...

I know that sounds "trite" but depending on how your inverter (or inverter/charger) is wired and how it functions. If it's on a transfer switch, it may turn itself off when shore power is applied to the trailer. If there is no transfer switch, then does the refrigerator "run through the inverter in all power situations (battery or shore power) ? Then, even if there is a transfer switch, the inverter "may" not power down even with a transfer switch in the circuit.

So, for me, if it were mine, I'd turn the inverter off if on shore power. If it's an inverter/charger, I'd turn it off once the battery is charged. If it's a "combined system" where the inverter draws power from the main coach battery bank, then I'd turn it off as soon as I plug into shore power. I also turn off my TV when we're not watching it, but that's just one personal opinion.... I'm sure others will agree/disagree and probably for valid reasons, at least in their opinion.....

[sandy43]

Good answer. I personally turn it off when plugged in at the house. Mine is a WFCO 5110R. It makes me feel more at ease. Thanks

[JRTJH]

I certainly can't fault your logic. Feeling at ease with the trailer is a priority. Nothing wrong with the way you're doing it.

[MattHelm21]

I have the WFCO inverter in my unit with the built in transfer switch. I’d have no problem leaving this on all the time except that it has an internal fan which runs all the time when 12 volts is applied. Breaking the connection turns that off so I figure it is one less moving part to fail.

[Tbos]

The only reason I can see to leave it on all the time is so the fridge has power if shore power is lost.

[ChuckS]

It’s kind of like a coffee pot or microwave oven..
Some prefer to unplug them when not actually using the appliance.. same with your inverter.. yea it will draw Less than 1 amp of current when in pass thru mode...

But since the MTBF is likely in the tens of thousands of hours it isn’t gonna hurt a thing if you leave it switched on.. one less item to have to remember when gett8ng ready to tow somewhere...

[roadglide]

I have tried both ways . Is the AC current more pure with the pure sign inverter left on ?

[JRTJH]

I have tried both ways . Is the AC current more pure with the pure sign inverter left on ?

Two methods of providing power "out of the inverter" affect the answer.

IF the inverter is "always connected to the refrigerator, then yes, "pure sine wave power is applied.

IF the inverter is connected by a transfer switch that removes inverter power when the RV is attached to shore power, then no, "pure sine wave power is not applied".

In the grand scheme of things, "pure sine wave power" isn't required by the refrigerator.

It's sort of like asking, "If I attach a water filter to the garden hose, is filtered water better for watering the lawn and does it protect the hose?" The grass doesn't benefit from filtered/unfiltered water and the refrigerator (if you have an EMS on the shore power input) doesn't benefit from "pure sine wave power".