Inverter Install Question on Transfer Switch

[tomato]

I am thinking about installing a 2,000 watt inverter to feed the entire trailer (Momentum 351M). We would only use it for our espresso maker in the morning and TV / low demand otherwise. For when we do not want to or cannot run the generator.

Questions: Has anyone wired one using the existing generator transfer switch somehow? Or is the only way to add a second 50 amp transfer switch?

Seems the inverter pass through circuits are only rated up to 25 amps from what i can find.

Thoughts and ideas appreciated. I am obviously not an electrician.

[BB&LAB]

With 50 Amp units you can only connect on one side of the 50 amp transfer switch. Since you only want to use it for your espresso maker, you can just connect to the side that powers the plug{s) that power your espresso maker. As far as your TV, this is likely powered by the 12v side so you should not need an inverter to power it. A couple thoughts, if as you say,you are only interested in powering your espresso maker a 2000 watt inverter is overkill, you can likely do just fine with a 1500 watt inverter and may very well get by with a 1000 watt inverter, but check the specs of your espresso maker to determine its maximum watt draw. This is important because inverters are not terribly efficient, some more so than others, but even the best may only be around 85-90% as such the larger the inverter the more draw from your batteries. Another thought since you say you are not an electrician, you do not have to be to wire an inverter, BUT if you have know to limited understanding of electricity this is definitely a job for an electrician, a competent RV tech or a friend/family member who is savvy with electricity.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Here is how I re-wired the res. fridge inverter for my Solitude. You could probably do something similar to power a circuit of interest (but not all/half of your RV). In my case, I specifically chose a breaker circuit that had a lot of the available outlets on it. First I did map out every outlet to its circuit breaker just to confirm that - my circuit diagram is also attached - this will be different across models (and even across specific trailers of the same model possibly). This allows me to run several outlets including the fridge and TV off of the factory provided 1000w inverter. You could get a similar unit and install it "inline" on your main string of outlets.

[tomato]

Thanks for the post! That is similar to what I am leaning towards - isolating 1 or more circuits for the inverter.

[tomato]

With 50 Amp units you can only connect on one side of the 50 amp transfer switch. Since you only want to use it for your espresso maker, you can just connect to the side that powers the plug{s) that power your espresso maker. As far as your TV, this is likely powered by the 12v side so you should not need an inverter to power it. A couple thoughts, if as you say,you are only interested in powering your espresso maker a 2000 watt inverter is overkill, you can likely do just fine with a 1500 watt inverter and may very well get by with a 1000 watt inverter, but check the specs of your espresso maker to determine its maximum watt draw. This is important because inverters are not terribly efficient, some more so than others, but even the best may only be around 85-90% as such the larger the inverter the more draw from your batteries. Another thought since you say you are not an electrician, you do not have to be to wire an inverter, BUT if you have know to limited understanding of electricity this is definitely a job for an electrician, a competent RV tech or a friend/family member who is savvy with electricity.

My espresso maker pulls a steady 1,500 watts, so I need at least a 2,000 watt inverter. As you note, they are not efficient and are very sensitive to temperature.

[tomato]

A lot of good input and insights on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714...=group_comment

[cookinwitdiesel]

WFCO makes a 2000w version of what GD put in my trailer, honestly though, not the highest end unit ever.

[traveldawg]

Here is how I re-wired the res. fridge inverter for my Solitude. You could probably do something similar to power a circuit of interest (but not all/half of your RV). In my case, I specifically chose a breaker circuit that had a lot of the available outlets on it. First I did map out every outlet to its circuit breaker just to confirm that - my circuit diagram is also attached - this will be different across models (and even across specific trailers of the same model possibly). This allows me to run several outlets including the fridge and TV off of the factory provided 1000w inverter. You could get a similar unit and install it "inline" on your main string of outlets.

Nice drawing! And good solution.

WFCO makes a 2000w version of what GD put in my trailer, honestly though, not the highest end unit ever.

What "cookiunwithdiesel" said - buy a good 2000W inverter. I think he likes the "Go Power" brand; I like the Xantrex for what you want to do. Either would work. You can just put in a Xantrex Freedom series in place of you existing WFCO inverter, I'm nat familiar too much with the Go Power connections.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Nice drawing! And good solution.




What "cookiunwithdiesel" said - buy a good 2000W inverter. I think he likes the "Go Power" brand; I like the Xantrex for what you want to do. Either would work. You can just put in a Xantrex Freedom series in place of you existing WFCO inverter, I'm nat familiar too much with the Go Power connections.

I am actually more of a Victron fan Putting dual Quattros into my Solitude In my diagram above, you just want to make sure you get an inverter that will passthrough AC voltage and not be strictly DC > AC conversion.

[Dopperud]

I have a 3300 watt inverter/charger and it powers the whole rig and this is how I did it. I ran the main power in and split it to the inverter/charger and the transfer switch. The inverter out goes to the other side of the generator side of the switch and I jump the hot onto both legs of the transfer switch so both sides of the breaker panel is hot, like I am on a 30 AMP service. This was the simplest way that I could think of to manage power and convenance. I have attached an overall wiring diagram and a photos of the PDB and transfer switch.