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11-12-2014, 08:06 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
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Inverter as it relates to charging house battery
Does inverter need to be on to charge house battery via solar , generator , or shore power?
I have a 14.5 AI
Also with only 50 amp solar,
What can it sustain when I'm not plugged to shore power?
Thank you!!!
I know almost nothing about electricity
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11-12-2014, 08:32 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master  
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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If it's an inverter that provides only 115 to AC outlets, no.
The converter is the battery charger.
That provides power to your lights, etc that run on 12 volts as does your battery. It needs to be left on to charge the battery
Solar works to charge the battery separately. It's mostly automatic..that said, my solar does have an on/off switch--but since it's a smarter charger than my current converter I leave it on to safely charge batteries in my rig.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it. 
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11-12-2014, 08:34 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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BTW, inverters and converters wirk the same in MH and regular AS trailers, generally.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-12-2014, 09:19 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glamper1
Does inverter need to be on to charge house battery via solar , generator , or shore power?
I have a 14.5 AI
Also with only 50 amp solar,
What can it sustain when I'm not plugged to shore power?
Thank you!!!
I know almost nothing about electricity
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My solar panel will keep the house batteries and the starting battery charged w/ everything OFF including the inverter. It did seem to be able to keep up w/ the refrigerator ON also. YMMV 
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. 
2011 Interstate SOLD!  Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD! 
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11-12-2014, 10:45 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
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Thanks you !
Ben
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11-13-2014, 05:15 AM
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#6
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glamper1
Does inverter need to be on to charge house battery via solar , generator , or shore power?
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The inverter/charger has to be on to charge the house batteries from shore power or generator. If set on "automatic" it detects incoming 120vAC power and switches to charger mode. The solar panel is directly connected to the house batteries through its own charge controller.
Quote:
Also with only 50 amp solar,
What can it sustain when I'm not plugged to shore power?
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You can run the refrigerator for a few days, along with roof vents and interior lights, but the draw on the fridge is 24 hours a day, and the solar panel only charges during daylight hours, so the house batteries will eventually lose charge if solar is the only charging source in use.
Quote:
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I know almost nothing about electricity
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That is a shocking (  ) revelation! Here are a few books you might consider buying (or looking for in your local public library— support your library!) to help get on top of the learning curve:
RV Electrical Systems: A Basic Guide to Troubleshooting, Repairing and Improvement: Bill Moeller, Jan Moeller: 9780070427785: Amazon.com: Books
http://www.amazon.com/RV-Repair-Main...trical+systems
http://www.amazon.com/No~Shock~Zone-...trical+systems
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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11-13-2014, 05:29 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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I think the OP has an Interstate, which has an inverter,charger. No converter?
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11-13-2014, 06:14 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Coach
Centre County
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 171
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We have a 2014.5 also. With our inverter off, the batteries will recharge.
From the Magnum manual:
"The two modes of operation associated with this inverter charger are...
Inverter mode: DC from the batteries is transformed into pure sine wave AC for powering your mobile applications.
Standby mode: The unit operates as a battery charger to convert incoming AC power into DC power while continuing to pass the incoming AC power directly to the inverter's output to power any AC loads."
DJ
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11-13-2014, 09:08 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member 
2020 Atlas
Treasure Island
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 44
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Protagonist,
Of the three books you linked to, which would you suggest as most critical for first time RV owner with moderate DIY abilities (me)?
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11-13-2014, 09:13 AM
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#10
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucet45410
Protagonist,
Of the three books you linked to, which would you suggest as most critical for first time RV owner with moderate DIY abilities (me)?
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The second one:
http://www.amazon.com/RV-Repair-Main...trical+systems
It provides a good general overview for all manner of troubleshooting and repairs, not just electrical.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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11-13-2014, 08:31 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
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Thank you all I appreciate it.
I took a shower in my driveway today.
Powered by the generator.
That generator makes me nervous.
Nothing blew up so I guess I did it right.
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11-13-2014, 08:36 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
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Does the main house power switch near side door have to be on when the generator is on?
Thanks
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11-13-2014, 08:38 PM
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#13
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glamper1
Does the main house power switch near side door have to be on when the generator is on?
Thanks
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It has to be on to even start the generator.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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11-13-2014, 08:41 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
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Thank you (again)
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