Solar to inverter to make all plugs work?

[ulvik]

I currently have 200w Renogy solar panels to recharge my batteries when we boondock but I would like to run an 1000 or so watt inverter and run it into all of the existing electrical outlets inside the TT. How do I do this and not short anything out when I plug into a outside source for electricity at a campground? Please simplify because I am an electrical idiot. LOL
I just want to be able to use all plugs when boondocking as well as when we have full hookups at a campground and don't want to burn anything up when I do plug up to an outside power source.
I am planning on running probably 6 100w panels through 4 6 volt batteries in the future.

[corvettekent]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

Byrogie wrote:
When boondocking:
Plug shore power cord to inverter.
Turn off breakers for converter, A/C, and electric water heater.
Fridge and water heater on propane.
Good to go.......

That one line is CRITICAL !!

X2

[theoldwizard1]

Byrogie wrote:
When boondocking:
Plug shore power cord to inverter.
Turn off breakers for converter, A/C, and electric water heater.
Fridge and water heater on propane.
Good to go.......

That one line is CRITICAL !!

[Sam_Spade]

ulvik wrote:
but I would like to run an 1000 or so watt inverter and run it into all of the existing electrical outlets inside the TT.

While that is possible most folks find that it's not practical.

For one thing, it probably won't run the microwave or a hair dryer or a "real" vavuum cleaner or a toaster oven.....the list goes ON and ON.

Do you NOT have a generator ? How about air conditioning ??

And we've had only a few responses so far and one person says 1000 W is too much.....and another says it's not enough.
To GET 1000 W from the batteries, the inverter would draw about 83 amps. That's a LOT.

[wa8yxm]

Two or three different ways

1: There is a type of inverter called "in-line" This type of inverter has AC in and out as well as DC in/out. It can charge the batteries if you have shore power and contains all the needed switching.. That is what I use in fact.

Foot note: though more expensive.. TRUE SINE is the preferred inverter and though I always thought MSW were more efficient. turns out that is not so.

Next you have "Stand along" inverters. these have 12 volt IN and 120vac OUT
You an use a common AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH (a small one, say 30 amp) Feed SHORE power to the GENERATOR terminals. Inverter to the SHORE terminals (I know that sounds backwards but this means if shore power is present it will switch over).

Or you can use a manual transfer system. One is a "Transfer switch" you can get at an electrical supply, this is a 3 position On/Off/ON switch rated for 20-30 amps Mains/Off/Inverter.

Or when my 30 amp transfer failed I put in a special outler and MANULLY move a plug from MAINS to Inverter for one circuit... the one powering this laptop just now.

[Lwiddis]

I'm in bill-e's camp. I have two 120 plugs that are fed by the inverter and wouldn't mess with what you propose.

[Byrogie]

When boondocking:
Plug shore power cord to inverter.
Turn off breakers for converter, A/C, and electric water heater.
Fridge and water heater on propane.
Good to go.......

[time2roll]

You just need a small transfer switch for each branch circuit. Probably two.

http://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-TS15A-Automatic-Transfer-Switch-p/ts15a.htm

If the converter or fridge is on one of the circuits you will need to move them or remember to turn off.

Are you sure you need 1000 watts? Much easier to install 300 watts.

[bill-e]

And if you really wanted to run everything off an inverter you would first need to calculate your expected load and then size your solar, batteries and inverter for that load....it's going to be larger than a 1000w inverter.

[bill-e]

To run ALL outlets off the inverter you can simply turn off your REC/CON (converter) breaker and plug your shore power cord into your inverter.

No worry about shorting because when you want to use shore power again, you unplug it from your inverter.

There are other more complex ways to accomplish this using a transfer switch an/or subpanel.

I think most people just install a separate outlet or two in the RV and plug those into the inverter. That way the inverter circuit is totally separated from the shore power circuit.