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05-25-2016, 02:54 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Pleasant Valley
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #18150
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Inverter question
Would there be any reason to run the inverter when connected to shore power or should it be only turned on when operating refridgerator on battery power.
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05-25-2016, 03:10 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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If you have a Good Inverter they have an interal transfer switch and once it detects shore power it switches. Our inverter hasn't been turned off in over a year, thus one less thing to worry about when packing up to leave.
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Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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05-27-2016, 03:53 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hanover
Posts: 1,471
M.O.C. #13325
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by mhs4771
If you have a Good Inverter they have an interal transfer switch and once it detects shore power it switches. Our inverter hasn't been turned off in over a year, thus one less thing to worry about when packing up to leave.
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X2 Ours is big enough to run the AC, but we've only got four Trojans so that's not hooked up. Only time I turn it off is either for maintenance or if we're on 15 - 30 amp service & the batteries have been drained down enough so it wants to start charging at over 60 amps. Turn the old converter on instead & let it get things up to around 90%.
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05-27-2016, 04:33 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Posts: 699
M.O.C. #18572
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Like previously stated... a good inverter will switch when shore power is detected. My thought process on this is turn the inverter off when connected to shore power. If you leave in on instead, as soon as you disconnect shore power you are pulling power out of your battery(s). Without some external source to keep the battery(s) charged, they will just die. I don't follow the logic of a previous poster having never turned off his inverter in over a year. What needs to run continuously for that long and how does the battery(s) not die ? Anyway, I only turn mine on when I need it.
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ATC/NAC Jerry A. Burkholder, USN (RET.)
Rule #1. The Chief is always right.
Rule #2. When in doubt, refer to rule #1.
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05-27-2016, 04:44 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stafford Springs
Posts: 524
M.O.C. #17256
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You can leave the inverter on it will enter into passthru mode and just monitor voltage. I turn mine off, as I don't want to hear the fan running and I figure it will last longer if it is not running all the time.
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Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
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05-27-2016, 04:59 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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Maybe it depends on the brand of Inverter. As stated once in "Pass-thru Mode" the inverter section goes into Sleep Mode and the converter section takes over to charge and keep the batteries charged. I have a remote inside and it gives me a readout of which battery mode it's in and what the battery voltage is. Plus by leaving it on, if we're gone for the day and loose power it will kick back on and keep the fridge running, and I have enough batteries to run the fridge for a few days without shore power.
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Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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05-27-2016, 05:56 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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That's the whole point of a good inverter. In our case we power most of the rig (we're set up for solar) and we just leave it on all the time. It sleeps and batteries charge until needed. If you've noticed the number of severe storms in Kansas lately you'll understand that it's had to switch on and off multiple times in recent days. When it's on it's drawing and when the shore power comes back on it's in standby mode and the batteries are charging.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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05-27-2016, 07:19 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,364
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Luc
Would there be any reason to run the inverter when connected to shore power or should it be only turned on when operating refridgerator on battery power.
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It is pretty clear the OP does *NOT* have a sophisticated add-on inverter system like the previous responders. He is referring to the Montana supplied inverter dedicated to the residential refer. It is a pass-thru type inverter so it draws 12V from the batteries when there is no 120V available and goes into "sleep" mode when plugged in to shore (or generator) power.
The system is designed to be "ON" all the time and I see no reason to do otherwise. It automatically handles power failures or when traveling from site to site. The only time when you turn the inverter "OFF" is when storing the RV and the refer is unused. Even then you could leave the inverter active with the refer turned "OFF" and it shouldn't draw power from the batteries. Beware the parasitic usage which will draw a small amount of 12V and eventually (week or two?) discharge the batteries.
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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