inverter installation

smclough2001 · 02-12-2023, 06:31 PM

do I connect 400w inverter to gigging box or battery?

sahively · 02-13-2023, 06:41 AM

Shooting you straight here: If you're asking this question, you have more research to do, my friend. The inverter should always get it's power directly from the battery. There are a lot of ways though to connect an inverter wrong or unsafely so make certain you have a full understanding before you waste time/money or create a hazard in your RV.

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 07:19 AM

Welcome to the forum

400watt? What are you trying to power?

jxnbbl · 02-13-2023, 07:32 AM

With this inverter, you won't be able to run a lot...but maybe enough for "your intended use". If your going into this cold I would recommend testing what you want to run first.

My the setup I have for tailgating... I took jumper cables and replaced one end of the cable with ring terminals and attached it to a small/"appropriate for my use" inverter. For probably 2 decades I've used this tailgating to run the electrical devices I've needed without a generator.

Once I bought my trailer and joined harvest host I started bringing this with an extension cord to use whenever I didn't need AC. Again, mine is still bigger than 400W and it will run a coffee maker.

Now I have a larger inverter that really requires much more involved wiring.

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 09:53 AM

Thank you for the responses
it is a 4000w inverter. and I am looking to use it at Harvest Host sites. so only to get through the night from time to time.

I hope to plug in the shore power with a 30A to 15A plug into the inverter

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 09:57 AM

What appliances do you plan on using “through the night”?

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 09:59 AM

Mostly periodic things ie coffee pot, microwave, tv

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 10:05 AM

Ok. So now on to the next step, does your inverter have “pass through”? Or do you need a transfer switch?

DC feed will need to be straight from the battery(s) with the proper sized wire based on distance

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 10:53 AM

No transfer switch. Inverter will be off unless being used to power RV via shore power plug

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smclough2001

No transfer switch. Inverter will be off unless being used to power RV via shore power plug

The shore cord will be connected to the breaker panel right?

What will the inverter AC out leads be connected to?

jxnbbl · 02-13-2023, 12:30 PM

To answer your OP, you have to connect directly to the battery. Is there a way you can sketch out what your planning to do?

Additionally, considerations:

1. for a 4000W inverter you need to use 4/0 cable to hook it up.

2. For the items you list, you don't need this large an inverter
3. Assuming it is an RV microwave - 1500W and a house microwave 2000W would be your size to handle the that.
4. A 2000W inverter puts out 20A so shouldn't be wired directly without consideration into trailer circuits since most of it is wired at 14ga and need 12ga.
5. a 4000W generates over 30A so would have to be wired differently - (there is another thread trying to use 5000W inverter which you probably want to follow).
6. Back to #1 if your batteries to power center are great distances then you might need even larger cable and 4/0 will be something like $10/ft each.

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 01:45 PM

Shore cord

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smclough2001

Shore cord

????

If that a response to my post, if your going to connect the inverter AC out leads to the shore cord, I assume at the junction box I think you’ll be looking a destroying your inverter in short order.

Not to be argumentative or belittle you, but I get the impression this project may be a bit more than you’re qualified to take on. Please think about what you’ve asked and the replies you’ve gotten.

Installing an inverter isn’t rocket science, but when you start talking about electricity in a box that can be burnt up completely in less than 3 minutes you need to follow certain rules.

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 06:33 PM

I am new to this. trying to figure out what's possible.
Can I plug the RV shore power cord into the inverter and run the entire coach off the battery?
I understand the converter needs to be turned off.

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smclough2001

I am new to this. trying to figure out what's possible.
Can I plug the RV shore power cord into the inverter and run the entire coach off the battery?
I understand the converter needs to be turned off.

I suppose you could IF you made a plug coming from the inverter for the shore cord to plug into, and turn off the breaker to the converter. In my opinion you’re over thinking this and making more work for yourself. Where would you put the plug for the shore cord coming from the inverter?

**flybouy** · 02-13-2023, 06:58 PM

I think you need to do more research. Electricity can be very dangerous and go bad rapidly. BTW the inverter is 1/3 of the equation. You must consider battery ampacity and how you can replenish the charge. Drawing enough energy to run the air conditioner would completely grain the "typical" trailer battery in a matter of minutes.

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 07:01 PM

perhaps I'm using the wrong term.
can I plug the power cord from the rv into the inverter instead of a power outlet like I would find at a campground?

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smclough2001

perhaps I'm using the wrong term.
can I plug the power cord from the rv into the inverter instead of a power outlet like I would find at a campground?

Your inverter won’t have a 30A RV plug on it. Depending on brand you MIGHT have a standard 20A plug and then you’ll need an adapter.

Let’s think about this: you drag your shore cord to wherever your inverter is mounted. That means you’re going to have a compartment door open or even worse your inverter mounted outside. Having a transfer switch makes it MUCH SAFER and in fact so much easier.

smclough2001 · 02-13-2023, 07:20 PM

I have a 30A to 15A cord. and was going to put the inverter in the compartment near the battery.
I'll have do research on the transfer switch.
Thank for taking time to explain all this to me

**chuckster57** · 02-13-2023, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smclough2001

I have a 30A to 15A cord. and was going to put the inverter in the compartment near the battery.
I'll have do research on the transfer switch.
Thank for taking time to explain all this to me

Your welcome, I do this sort of thing for a living and I hate to see somebody make a serious mistake endangering family and those around them.

You may also like: