Xantrex inverter installation

[George Witt]

Bill,
I've done a similar thing in mine and there's nothing wrong with
it, depending on which inverter you have.
I first bought a cheap Cobra 4,000 watt inverter and wired it to
the battery circuit. I have to use an extension cord to use it. I
mainly used it to make coffee and occasionally run the microwave. It
did fine. I installed it in the cabinet next to the entry door.
I later installed a Xantrex inverter/charger (1500 watts) and ran
a special circuit to the kitchen wall outlet only. I use it the same
way for other things when needed, using an extension cord.
The reason I didn't run it to the main circuit breaker panel is I
run electric heaters off the street side circuit in the winter. My
2,000 watt engine heater also runs off that circuit, as does my TV set
and entertainment center. If I ran that circuit off the inverter, it
would be bye-bye inverter over the winter, especially when I run the
engine heater.
I tried to run separate wiring to the TV set, but the way a Bird
is built, I had a hard time and gave up on the project for the time
being. I wanted to run it under the coach and up the outside wall,
but there's too much steel at the bottom of the wall. Sheesh.
Somebody on this network said it was silly to try to protect
cheap electronic components with highly expensive pure sine wave
inverters. With microwaves being a few hundred bucks, I can see the
point.
I don't think you're off base at all. Most microwaves are 1500
watts, that's about 13 amps.

George Witt
81 FC 35
Lincoln, Nebraska




In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape" wrote:
>
>
> Hi Bruce,
>
> I will try to answer, This may "NOT" be precise, as I do not have an
> AC wireing schematic. Under the sink behind the pegboard is a
> relay, You may hear it humming when plugged into shore power or
> Gennie.
> This is the inverter relay , energized with AC power , so the
> Inverter is out of the circuit always, when AC power is applied.
>
> I think the MicroWave is not on this circuit because of its' high
> current demand and the convection oven option that draws lots of
> Amps. And the oven, could inadvertently be turned to the "ON"
> position.
>
> I occationally use a three foot extention cord on the MicroWave to
> plug into the AC Inverter socket on the kitchen counter, to warm up
> a cup of coffee, when on the road. I use it only for a minute.
> The MicroWave plug is in the overhead cabinet above the sink far
> right.
>
> One must be "CAUTIOUS" with this outlaw plug wireing, because the
> Old Sharp, does not like the modified sine wave and the inverter
> does not like the high current demand.
> "SO,THIS IS NOT A GOOD PRACTICE".
> Yep, I am open to constructive criticism on this.
>
> Your new Inverter may have a pure sine wave output.
> I think the MicroWave draws about 10 amp to get started.
>
> Bill 88 FC, Michigan (sometimes does not follow all the rules)
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
> wrote:
> >
> > Bill:
> >
> > I did some investigating and found the circuits that were powered
> by
> > the inverter. The PAC still works as the ice maker started when I
> > turned the inverter on. Now I will have to find the circuit that
> powers
> > the micro. Am not new to electrical work but having trouble
> > understanding how the original inverter is wired. Is there a
> transfer
> > switch somewhere?
> >
> > Bruce
> >
>