Inverter query…

[philippo]

Passing this simple question about inverters on to this forum…apologies are due though, because I’m sure it’s been asked before

Earlier this afternoon I gave AM Solar a call (Solar installation company in Springfield, Oregon), only to find that they had closed their doors last summer.

To say I was…Gobsmacked?…doesn’t begin do it justice; I’ve been counting on them over the years for technical advice - ever since they installed a fabulous solar system on my truck camper in December, 2020. (They were such an obviously cutting-edge and extremely competent company I cannot imaging what might have happened…)

Anyway, back to my question: Should I turn my inverter OFF when plugged into shore power or leave it ON?

(the installed system includes 800+ Watts of solar panels, ReLion batteries, and a 3000W Victron Multi-Plus Inverter)

 

[Primerump]

Passing this simple question about inverters on to this forum…apologies are due though, because I’m sure it’s been asked before

Earlier this afternoon I gave AM Solar a call (Solar installation company in Springfield, Oregon), only to find that they had closed their doors last summer.

To say I was…Gobsmacked?…doesn’t begin do it justice; I’ve been counting on them over the years for technical advice - ever since they installed a fabulous solar system on my truck camper in December, 2020. (They were such an obviously cutting-edge and extremely competent company I cannot imaging what might have happened…)

margins are slim in the solar industry, many outfits have closed doors due to the post covid economy..

Anyway, back to my question: Should I turn my inverter OFF when plugged into shore power or leave it ON?

(the installed system includes 800+ Watts of solar panels, ReLion batteries, and a 3000W Victron Multi-Plus Inverter)

leave it on, the multiplus II has a transfer switch and therefore behaves as a UPS system. the multiplus will also charge the battery bank when on shore power. It should have been installed this way ( unless you have very specific requirements ).

 

[John From Detroit]

Is the inverter a pass through inverter/converter type? or a "Stand alone" I'm guessing the former

And since shore power (Unlike a good battery backed solar system) is ... Well right not the news is talking about the thousands of Michigan citizens in the dark due to a power fail due to a storm (That's as I type). I'd leave it on.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Anyway, back to my question: Should I turn my inverter OFF when plugged into shore power or leave it ON?

(the installed system includes 800+ Watts of solar panels, ReLion batteries, and a 3000W Victron Multi-Plus Inverter)

There is some confusion on this point because of differences among inverter types & models. There are vanilla inverters, inverters with auto-transfer switches, and combo inverter chargers. And further differences in how the inverter is wired into the RV power system. It would take a thousand words to try to explain all these variations, but yours is simple. The Victron MultiPlus is an inverter charger with a built-in auto-transfer switch, so just leave it on and let it manage shore power vs inverting. About the only reason for turning it off would be during storage periods.

 

[Qwe]

I have a 2000W stand alone inverter connected to a LiFePo4 100Ah battery. Its Lithium battery charger is plugged into an AC receptacle that is powered by a 1700W generator via the shore power cord. I mostly boondock.
I’m thinking of installing an auto transfer switch with both inputs being 1. Shore power cord and 2. A 15A cord plugged into the inverter. The output lead will connect to the AC main on the distribution panel.
Will I have to unplug the battery charger when the inverter is active? Is the the “endless charge loop” I’ve read about if I don’t? Another option would be to connect two cords from the inverter to select AC breakers. I’d prefer the 1st option.
I am trying to get away from running extension cords for my AC (low wattage/short duration) needs but not sure this will work. Any input is muchly appreciated.

 

[Qwe]

Whoops I just thought, the factory wiring shows the 30A shore cord connected to the distribution panel. I’m replacing this with a 15A extension cord, seriously underrated for 30 A service.
So the auto transfer output cord will have to be 30A capable. I can still use a 15A cord from inverter output to #2 ATS input terminal.

 

[John From Detroit]

If the inverter has a 15 amp breaker protecting the cord.. YES (Mine has a 15 amp breaker but it's N/C) as there is no outlet on my main inverter... Other inverters (I have 5) are smaller and can not put out 15 amps so yes. there too)

Two things one is the max size of the load (30 ams on a 30 amp rig) and the other it the max out of the Inverter or the breaker on it. The cord has to be able to handle the lower in this case.

NOTE also that the larger the cord. the lower the voltage drop in the cord I use 12 ga cords on my 15 amp stuff.

 

[Qwe]

No 15A breaker protection. It does have low & over volts alarms, over temp and overload protection, any of which will shut it down.
Your reply (thx eh) brought to mind the converter. It will also be running when my AC is coming from this Inverter. Endless charging loop problem right there right? The battery is being charged by my PD9140A which is being powered by the Inverter and therefore the battery.
So the solution is to trip the converter’s
breaker to isolate it from the battery. But that will take out my 12V as well.
I think the only solution here is to tie the Inverter output into the GFI breaker at the control panel. It feeds all the genetic receptacles only.
Are there any concern’s when I’m on shore power though? The GFI breaker will be live AND connected to my Inverter.

 

[Qwe]

This Inverter has low/over volt protection as well as high temp and over wattage draw alarms. It shuts itself off if these conditions persist for any length of time.

 

[Lou Schneider]

So the solution is to trip the converter’s
breaker to isolate it from the battery. But that will take out my 12V as well.
I think the only solution here is to tie the Inverter output into the GFI breaker at the control panel. It feeds all the genetic receptacles only.
Are there any concern’s when I’m on shore power though? The GFI breaker will be live AND connected to my Inverter.

Opening the converter's breaker won't take out your 12 volt system. It will draw from the battery just like it does when you're boondocking, i.e. not connected to power that can supply 120 volts to the converter.

 

[Qwe]

Thanks for this. I have 2 chargers going, the Converter/house FLA and a Genuis10 for the LIFEPO4 battery. Luckily they both use the same breaker receptical.
So: 1.Install a 30A Auto Transfer switch. Connect both shore power cord and one 15A extension cord from the Inverter.
2. 30A cable "Out" connected to AC bus on the Distribution Panel.
3. When on shore power trip the Converter breaker to remove the battery chargers from the circuit.
Is there anything I've missed/this would work?

 

[John From Detroit]

Just one error When on shore power turn ON the breakers to charge the btteries.
When on "Inverter" turn them off.

 

[Qwe]

Of course, brain fart there, lol. I want to remove the battery chargers from the system while drawing from the batteries (Inverter power). So just Open/trip the Breaker labeled “Converter”.
And close same when the generator is in use to recharge the batteries.
I think I’ve found my next project.
One more thing tho (isn’t there always just one more thing!). If I left the breaker closed while using the inverter what would happen? My hunch is I’d draw the batteries down pretty quick? It wouldn’t even work cause…… The three chargers draw a combined 1300W/10A at 120V AC. I understand this would draw ~ 13,000W/130A at 12V DC. Add 15% due to Inverter deficiency, cable resistance etc.
I’m getting a visual of myself totally flummoxed when my 2000W Inverter alarms and trips out within 30 seconds. Thanks to this forum there’s hope those moments are becoming less and less.