Adding an Inverter?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 31
From: Northern Illinois
Correct, but option #1 means you have to remember to shut off the AC and water heater when inverting. I never used Option #1 and have never actually seen anyone use that Option. It's simple, but problematic as the end user has to remember to do something. A sure ticket for trouble! 
Steve
Steve
Second thought I need to see if it works on electric at home.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 899
From: Home Base Nebraska
I'm running a Xamtrec 1800 watt with a transfer switch, I ran a separate circuit to my chest freezer and entertainment center. When we are traveling I leave everything on the inverter and let it transfer to shore power for short stays but when we are setting for a longer period I change it over to normal shore power and power the inverter down.
Denny
Denny
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,682
Likes: 12,804
From: Wyoming
A guy at work gave me a Xantrex PROwatt 1000 Inverter. The box is kind of beat up but the inverter appears to be brand new. The plastic cover on the front panel is still there.
It took me a while to find it in the owner's manual but this is a modified sine wave unit. If it will run my coffee pot in the morning without having to run the generator then I'll make use of it.
It took me a while to find it in the owner's manual but this is a modified sine wave unit. If it will run my coffee pot in the morning without having to run the generator then I'll make use of it.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 899
From: Home Base Nebraska
A guy at work gave me a Xantrex PROwatt 1000 Inverter. The box is kind of beat up but the inverter appears to be brand new. The plastic cover on the front panel is still there.
It took me a while to find it in the owner's manual but this is a modified sine wave unit. If it will run my coffee pot in the morning without having to run the generator then I'll make use of it.
It took me a while to find it in the owner's manual but this is a modified sine wave unit. If it will run my coffee pot in the morning without having to run the generator then I'll make use of it.
Denny
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,682
Likes: 12,804
From: Wyoming
Now I just need to figure out how to wire this in. Any recommended sites to review for this. I'll be reading the owner's manual of course, but sometimes they aren't quite oriented to the novice like me.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Pages 11-13 of the owner's manual seem pretty straightforward. Just pretend you are wiring anything to run off your batteries. According to the manual size the cabling no smaller than 4 ga and use a 150 amp fuse as the inverter has substantial surge capacity. You can add a shut-off on the positive cable if you like, but that is really is not necessary as when you hit the off switch on this inverter it draws no power at all from the batteries.
Does that make sense?
Steve
Does that make sense?
Steve
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Inverters cables are always dedicated, at least I have never wired one or seen one wired any other way and that is what the manual explicitly shows. Review the fuse indicated in the manual on Amazon or such. It will look a little different than the fuses you are used to and it will require a block designed to hold the fuse. However, it works exactly the same way. Here are some ideas
Steve
Steve
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,682
Likes: 12,804
From: Wyoming
I read the owner's manual and I think I'll need 2 gauge wire. My run will be 8' long if I'm lucky. I'm going to call around to see if I can find someone to make a set of cables for me and do the crimps. I have tools to crimp small stuff but not for the big stuff. Thanks for the link to the fuse, I ordered it tonight.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
For sure go with the manual instructions. I just glanced over it and thought it said 4 ga., but sure could be wrong. I don't really think you will have any trouble with this install. It really is basic.
Steve
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,682
Likes: 12,804
From: Wyoming
The manual does say 4 gauge, but only for a short run. Their spec says 2 gauge for 8' and not to exceed 8', which could be challenging.
I thought I had a line on some locomotive cable but that fell through.
I thought I had a line on some locomotive cable but that fell through.