Inverter Prep?

[JetPants]

Hello!
New to the forums here, and just picked up my 2022 Passport 219BH from the dealer. When shopping, I noticed there was a panel in the passthrough storage and it said "inverter prep". Also - I have the solar package with the 2 100W panels pre-installed at the factory, as well as outlets in the camper marked as inverter compatable. I had made some assumptions about what that all meant (specifically the inverter prep panel), and the sales folks were less than clear about other than saying "it's prepped for an inverter". TBH, I didn't ask either. Well, I was surprised to find upon removing the panel there is just a loop of yellow "romex" wire.

It doesn't feel like one end is loose or just tucked into the wall. There is no pass through (that I can tell) to run the inverter cables to the external battery.

I'm not sure how to get started installing my inverter. There doesn't appear to be anything online for this. I'm trying to avoid bring it back to the dealer to have them install. Has anyone done this? Any pictures or anything else to help get started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[chuckster57]

That “loop” is from the breaker panel to the outlets. When you install an inverter make sure it has “auto transfer” or “pass through” capacity. Then the HOT side of the Romex goes to AC IN on the inverter and the other goes to AC OUT. Then you hook up the 12V from the battery(s) to the DC IN. Use the right size wire based on the distance from the battery. Remote panel is usually included on quality inverters.

Easiest way to test which side of the Romex is “LIVE” is with the shore power OFF ( unplugged) cut the loop and cap the black wires. I use a “current senser” to identify which side has power. Then unplug and proceed to use the LIVE side to the AC IN.

[Essvar]

That romex wire is currently an uninterrupted loop coming from your main BUS. To install the inverter you will need to cut the wire and find the hot side, which will go into the AC in port of a pass through inverter, the cold side will go to the AC out port. You must get a Pass-Through inverter (pure-sine highly recommended) or your outlets will not work unless the inverter is turned on.



Incoming DC power will come from your batteries.

[zinger290kb]

i have the yellow cable and i want to install a renogy 2000 watt inverter with pure sine wave tech on it. From reading this form i understand i have to cut it the yellow wire to connect the hot on my inverter but i only have and out put for the wires on my inverter. Do i connect all wires to the port?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by zinger290kb

i have the yellow cable and i want to install a renogy 2000 watt inverter with pure sine wave tech on it. From reading this form i understand i have to cut it the yellow wire to connect the hot on my inverter but i only have and out put for the wires on my inverter. Do i connect all wires to the port?

Welcome to the forum

Your inverter should have 3 sets of inputs/outputs.

AC in
AC out
DC in

Your yellow Romex is a loop. You need to cut it with the power OFF. Then determine which side is HOT when plugged into shore/generator. That Romex goes to AC IN. The other side goes to AC out.

DC in is for the leads coming from the battery(s).

Does your inverter have “pass through”? If not you’ll need to wire it differently with a transfer switch.

[pasayten]

The romex is for the output of the inverter... probably a loop... maybe cut and feed both. There should also be the 12v inverter supply wires from the battery... You would also want a disconnect switch added between the battery and the inverter... The dealer should be very familliar with all of this.

We have a 2021 cougar 26rbs and it came with the "Off The Grid" package of a 2000 watt inverter, battery disconnect switch, and 120v wiring to outlets in the trailer in the bedroom, kitchen, and media center.

If dealer cannot help you with how to install inverter, call keystone or submit an inquiry.

[JetPants]

Thanks everyone! Pass thru or Auto Transfer inverters are a little harder to find...

Last question - what's the best way to run the DC cables from the inverter to the battery? I assume through the floor and out the front as I'm not keen on the idea of punching a hole through the front of my brand new Camper...

Thanks!

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by JetPants

Thanks everyone! Pass thru or Auto Transfer inverters are a little harder to find...

Last question - what's the best way to run the DC cables from the inverter to the battery? I assume through the floor and out the front as I'm not keen on the idea of punching a hole through the front of my brand new Camper...

Thanks!

I would probably take that route. Have you looked at GoPower and Renology?

[sahively]

You punch a hole through the floor of your brand new RV. Gotta do it, and make certain you use a sufficient wire gauge.

[Essvar]

https://www.donrowe.com/Xantrex-817-...p/817-2000.htm

I drilled holes from my basement into the battery compartment. It’s painful, but quick

[MarkEHansen]

When checking for the sufficient wire gage, remember that the charts which show what size wire you need to support your current at a particular distance, the distance is the round trip: From the battery to the inverter back to the battery.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

When checking for the sufficient wire gage, remember that the charts which show what size wire you need to support your current at a particular distance, the distance is the round trip: From the battery to the inverter back to the battery.

I have always been told it’s just the distance from the battery. And cables need to be the same length.

[MarkEHansen]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I have always been told it’s just the distance from the battery. And cables need to be the same length.

I read the small print on one of those charts for sizing cable and learned that way.

[sahively]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I have always been told it’s just the distance from the battery. And cables need to be the same length.

Depends on the chart you look at. Some use round trip, some use batt distance. 😉

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

I read the small print on one of those charts for sizing cable and learned that way.

Originally Posted by sahively

Depends on the chart you look at. Some use round trip, some use batt distance. 😉

I guess next install I’ll have to read more…Thanks.

[MarkEHansen]

Yeah, this is the one I used: https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437


I thought this was the standard - oh well.

[Nitehawk]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Yeah, this is the one I used: https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1437


I thought this was the standard - oh well.

This was put out a few months ago by Renogy. found it interesting and helpful in calculating wire gauges and other info

[JetPants]

Thanks everyone! First mistake was I have the wrong inverter. I do not have a pass through inverter. Once I get that part figured out I will look at attempting, but this is way more involved than I naively thought...

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by JetPants

Thanks everyone! First mistake was I have the wrong inverter. I do not have a pass through inverter. Once I get that part figured out I will look at attempting, but this is way more involved than I naively thought...

If you don't have a pass-thru inverter and don't wish to replace it with one then you need to install (or have installed) a transfer switch. That's a relay that when electricity is applied via shore power the relay will energize disconnecting the inverter and directing the electricity to the circuit from the shore power source. Depending on your inverter size and physical layout of the space it may well be more advantageous to replace the inverter and sell the current one to help offset the cost.

[jconforti]

Originally Posted by JetPants

Thanks everyone! Pass thru or Auto Transfer inverters are a little harder to find...

Originally Posted by JetPants

Thanks everyone! First mistake was I have the wrong inverter. I do not have a pass through inverter. Once I get that part figured out I will look at attempting, but this is way more involved than I naively thought...

I'm not sure where you are with this at this point but I wanted to offer my .02 This, of course, will depend on your technical and comfort level with electrical systems. With that said, you can save some money on an inverter that doesn't have an ATS and just may your own with a simple SPDT relay. I'd recommend
a Functional devices RIB (Relay In a Box). Size the relay to the inverter. I.E. if you have a 2000 watt inverter, you'd want a 30 amp relay.

If this is something you or someone else is interested in pursuing, I'd be happy to explain the wiring in detail.