"Installing A Power Inverter In An RV" Do you want to learn RV inverter installation, do you want to learn simple budget inverter Installation for RVs. Are you searching for installing a power inverter in an RV, install power inverter in RV, install inverter in RV or RV inverter installation. If yes, Infoguide Ng has brought a complete step by step guide of how to install a simple budget inverter for your RV. This article detail the installation of a 2,000-watt budget-friendly inverter for an RV. This article outline the goals of the setup, which are to be simple, affordable, and use a quality product. The article walks through the step-by-step wiring process, connecting the inverter to the battery bank using a fused terminal block and explaining how to plug the RV directly into the inverter's output. A significant part of the article focuses on a common pitfall of this simple setup, which is the "death cycle" caused by the RV's internal converter attempting to charge the batteries that are simultaneously powering the inverter, suggesting the solution is to turn off the converter breaker.
RV inverter installation guide.
For RV owners seeking a cost-effective and straightforward way to power their vehicle using an inverter, one highly-rated 2,000-watt pure sine wave inverter offers a remarkably functional solution. This idea was driven by three primary goals: simplicity, budget-friendliness, and finding a quality inverter.
The inverter to chose for this setup must be a 2,000-watt model that is highly rated and has numerous favorable reviews.
The installation process is designed to be simple, involving connecting the inverter to the batteries and setting up an output so the RV can plug directly into it.
1. AC Side Connection: The AC side of the inverter is clearly marked. To connect the 10 gauge wire, tabs are lifted, the wire is inserted, and the tabs are pushed back down to lock them in place. An NM cable connector (Rx clamp) is used to ensure the wires do not get pulled out. These 10 gauge wires connect to a 30 amp plug, linking the ground, neutral, and hot wires.
2. DC Side Connection: For the DC side, two/o wire (not 2 gauge) is used. The ends are cut off because the inside of the inverter requires bare wire, which is slid in and tightened down with an allen wrench on both the positive and negative sides.
3. Grounding: A ground wire must be connected from the frame of the inverter to the frame of the RV.
4. Battery Connection: The inverter connects to the battery bank via a 300 amp terminal block fuse installed on the positive side of the battery, providing a fused location for the connection. The negative side is connected to the battery bank, often after pre-charging to prevent sparking.
5. Remote Option: A data cable can be connected to the inverter to allow for a remote switch that can be mounted in an easily accessible location.
Once complete, the basic setup consists of just the batteries, the inverter, and the plug for the RV.
While the simple setup involves plugging the RV directly into the inverter, this method presents one big problem related to the way RVs are typically wired.
When the inverter is turned on, it delivers power to the RV. Because everything inside the RV needs 12V power (lights, fridge, etc.), the battery bank has wires supplying the RV systems. However, when the inverter starts powering the rest of the RV, it inevitably powers the converter inside the RV. This converter is designed to charge the batteries.
This creates a "death cycle" where power is pulled out of the batteries, goes through the inverter, and then goes to the converter, which attempts to charge those same batteries. This process wears down the batteries and causes significant power loss, rendering the setup ineffective.
The quick, easy workaround for the death cycle is to simply turn off the breaker to the converter or unplug the converter, depending on the system setup.
The drawback to this simple fix is the high chance of human error. If the user forgets to turn off the converter, the batteries will wear down very fast. Conversely, if they forget to turn the converter back on when plugging the RV into shore power, the batteries will not charge, potentially leaving them with less power than they expect. It is crucial to implement a reminder system so this essential step is not forgotten.
An alternative solution is to use a sub panel. This adds a layer of protection with a breaker for the wire between the inverter and the plug. More commonly, a sub panel is used to bypass the converter entirely by having the inverter feed the sub panel, and then moving specific circuits (like the fridge, TV, or kitchen area for making coffee) from the RV's main panel to the sub panel. This effectively creates an automatic switch, turning off the converter while enabling only the desired circuits.
The simple setup of batteries, inverter, and a plug is extremely straightforward and fits a specific niche for RV owners who do not need a large, complex system.
I believe this step by step guide will help in installing a power inverter in your RV.
Here's a video that explain Installing A Power Inverter In An RV (Step By Step RV Inverter Installation)
