AC wiring location

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 08:55 AM

Hello I have a 341RKI and I want to install an inverter that includes an automatic transfer switch. My fuse panel is at the rear wall. Do I need to run wire all the way to the front where the battery and inverter will be located and then back to the fuse panel?

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 10:00 AM

You want the inverter as CLOSE TO THE BATTERY(S) as possible.

stryker8 · 11-20-2021, 01:39 PM

If I understand your question correctly the answer is no.

Your battery and inverter are located up front so you will

have an inline fuse or breaker in the DC feeder between

battery and inverter. The fuse or breaker usually needs to

be within 18" of the battery. You will need an AC feeder

from your inverter or ATS if it is not integral with the

inverter back to your AC panel. Follow any manufacturers

instructions included with the inverter and with the ATS if

it is a separate unit. With electrical upgrades the simpler

the intallation the better.

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 01:53 PM

any quality inverter should have an internal automatic transfer switch, so you will have pass through when on shore power and inverter power when unplugged from shore power and on inverter power.

**JRTJH** · 11-20-2021, 02:27 PM

^^^ agree with the above. Remember, if you use an inverter with an integral automatic transfer switch, it will only switch between shore power/battery power AT THE TRANSFER SWITCH. It will not shut down your converter/charger, usually a part of the trailer power distribution center. So, unless you have a means to also turn off the converter charger when on battery power, as soon as the inverter switches to providing AC power from the battery, you'll also be using the inverter to charge the battery through t he power center. So, you'll need to determine how to shut down the trailer converter/charger when on inverter power. I don't know of any Keystone trailer with a "solar ready package" that includes provisions to protect the aftermarket inverter/ATS from the "circular battery charging sequence.

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 03:55 PM

Ok the inverter will be next to the battery. The issue is I need to run the AC (shore power) to the inverter (so the automatic switch can work), then run the AC (either shore power or inverter) from the inverter back to the fuse panel. I believe this is correct. Any guidance if not correct is welcome.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfit

Ok the inverter will be next to the battery. The issue is I need to run the AC (shore power) to the inverter (so the automatic switch can work), then run the AC (either shore power or inverter) from the inverter back to the fuse panel. I believe this is correct. Any guidance if not correct is welcome.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Yes it is, sort of. Is your trailer 30A or 50A service and what are you wanting to power with the inverter?

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Yes it is, sort of. Is your trailer 30A or 50A service and what are you wanting to power with the inverter?

It is a 50 amp service. I was going to disconnect one side from the fuse panel and connect to the wire that I will run up front to the inverter. I want to run outlets, microwave mainly. I'm will not run the AC from the inverter.

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 04:09 PM

Make sure what you want to power is on one the leg your going to power from the inverter. I would move wires around if needed.

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Make sure what you want to power is on one the leg your going to power from the inverter. I would move wires around if needed.

Yes that is the plan. I will move all the AC items that I want to power onto one side of the fuse panel.

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

^^^ agree with the above. Remember, if you use an inverter with an integral automatic transfer switch, it will only switch between shore power/battery power AT THE TRANSFER SWITCH. It will not shut down your converter/charger, usually a part of the trailer power distribution center. So, unless you have a means to also turn off the converter charger when on battery power, as soon as the inverter switches to providing AC power from the battery, you'll also be using the inverter to charge the battery through t he power center. So, you'll need to determine how to shut down the trailer converter/charger when on inverter power. I don't know of any Keystone trailer with a "solar ready package" that includes provisions to protect the aftermarket inverter/ATS from the "circular battery charging sequence.

Yes disconnecting the onboard rv battery charger is another item I need to look into.

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 04:16 PM

And make sure the converter is on the other side. If it’s a stand alone and plugged into the back of the breaker panel, I’m not sure which leg would power it.

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

And make sure the converter is on the other side. If it’s a stand alone and plugged into the back of the breaker panel, I’m not sure which leg would power it.

Good point. If it is on the other leg with shore power, then I'm good. Should be easy to figure this out. Thanks for the tip.

Misfit · 11-20-2021, 04:44 PM

So the inverter I'm looking to buy has a better battery charger built in. So this charger will work when on shore power. Seem I need to find the fuse for the onboard charger and permanently disconnect it. Problem solved.

**chuckster57** · 11-20-2021, 04:50 PM

Or if it’s stand alone just unplug it.

**JRTJH** · 11-20-2021, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfit

So the inverter I'm looking to buy has a better battery charger built in. So this charger will work when on shore power. Seem I need to find the fuse for the onboard charger and permanently disconnect it. Problem solved.

Be careful using a "built in battery charger" installed in an inverter to power the trailer... While it may work OK, it's not going to have the "oomph" needed to run the furnace while charging the battery.... What Keystone installed is a "converter/charger" not a "charger"....

stryker8 · 12-02-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misfit

Ok the inverter will be next to the battery. The issue is I need to run the AC (shore power) to the inverter (so the automatic switch can work), then run the AC (either shore power or inverter) from the inverter back to the fuse panel. I believe this is correct. Any guidance if not correct is welcome.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

You should only need one set of AC conductors from the inverter output to the fuse panel. The inverter will detect shore power from the same source that it is feeding. Grid tie inverters for home solar installations do this. You don't need a separate AC in and AC out unless for some reason it was in the manufacturers installation insructions. It looks like you got it mostly figured out, it is nice to have a forum like this. I'm not an RV expert or anything but I have some electrical experience: 6 months@ Country Coach. Electrician in stages 1,2,and 3 in the bus division and I've worked as an Inside Electrician 20 years IBEW Local 280

**chuckster57** · 12-02-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stryker8

You should only need one set of AC conductors from the inverter output to the fuse panel. The inverter will detect shore power from the same source that it is feeding. Grid tie inverters for home solar installations do this. You don't need a separate AC in and AC out unless for some reason it was in the manufacturers installation insructions. It looks like you got it mostly figured out, it is nice to have a forum like this. I'm not an RV expert or anything but I have some electrical experience: 6 months@ Country Coach. Electrician in stages 1,2,and 3 in the bus division and I've worked as an Inside Electrician 20 years IBEW Local 280

Most RV inverters have AC in and AC out with an internal automatic “transfer switch”.

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