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Old 06-13-2012, 03:59 AM   #1
AlCorr
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Inverter

This is a long story and one thing led to another but here goes. The instructions for my new Black & Decker Inverter stated to install it as close as possible to a 12 volt power supply. Having a cabinet next to the converter I drilled a hole in the wall inside the cabinet to run wires and mounted the inverter on the floor. Now I have the inverter 10-12 inches from 12 volt power supply (converter).
Next, I take the front off the converter and to my surprise there is a extra fuse, at the bottom of the row with nothing connected to it, excellent. I cut the battery clips off the wires Black & Decker suppled and connect to the extra fuse. (It wasn't easy to get that large wire into the terminals but I did). Pulled out the 15 amp fuse that was there and put in a 30 amp, done, not yet.
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Old 06-13-2012, 04:10 AM   #2
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My plan was to run a extension cord from the inverter to the TV when needed, but while I have the converter open I'm looking at the 110 volt side thinking why not power-up the TV outlet (receptacle) from here.
I get a 2 switch box and 2 switches. Not sure what the switches are called but one is a wall light switch when there are more than one switch for the same lite, is it a 2 way switch? Anyway I pulled the black wire off the breaker for outlets and connect to one side of the switch and the black wire off the Black & Decker to the other side of switch and the feed of the switch back to the breaker. Now the power for all the outlets in the trailer are live from the 110v land line or the inverter. The other switch is a double trow that I connected one side to the white power and the other to the ground off the inverter. I'm not sure why but I believe in a house the white wire and the ground wire are the same but in the trailer they are not so had to keep them separated.
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Old 06-13-2012, 04:18 AM   #3
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Like I said, long story but it works excellent. Now all the outlets are live so can use them for charging cell phone, lap top, any low amp device. Only problem is that the refrigerator is also on that bank of outlets so have to remember to switch it to gas only. It is on gas only all the time when we are dry camping anyway.
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Old 06-13-2012, 06:58 AM   #4
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By as close as possible to 12v power supply B&D means the battery. You did not say what size inverter you have but the wire size feeding that circuit may not be large enough for the distance to the battery and the draw that you intend to put on it. I am no expert but what you have done sounds like a fire waiting to happen. JM2¢, Hank
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Old 06-13-2012, 07:16 AM   #5
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Have to agree with hank pulling a 15amp fuze out and putting in athirty amp sorry that's crazy :eek if there was a 15 amp fuse in there it is because the wireing and the electronics are only designrd for 15 amps not thirty. i would rethink your installation carefuly or have a fire extinguisher ready.
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Old 06-13-2012, 07:30 AM   #6
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X3 on the fire hazard! Anytime you direct wire an inverter to the power source it should be straight to the battery and as close as possible with the proper size wire & a proper size fuse/breaker should be used.

Inverter Size
< 3 ft
3ft - 6ft
6ft < 10ft

400 Watts (40amp fuse/breaker)
8
6
4

750 Watts (75amp fuse/breaker)
6
4
2

1000 Watts (100amp fuse/breaker)
4
2
1/0

1500 Watts (150amp fuse/breaker)
2
1
3/0

2000 Watts (200amp fuse/breaker)
1/0
2/0
250

2500 Watts (250amp fuse/breaker)
1/0
3/0
350

3000 Watts (300amp fuse/breaker)
3/0
4/0
500
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Old 06-13-2012, 08:37 AM   #7
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I want an inverter but I don't understand them. I just want one for the tv/stereo (mostly the stereo). You have to wire them and all that? Like drill holes?
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Old 06-13-2012, 09:20 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by azlee56 View Post
I want an inverter but I don't understand them. I just want one for the tv/stereo (mostly the stereo). You have to wire them and all that? Like drill holes?
The stereo is 12v dc and does not need an inverter. It works with or without shore power. Half the problem solved.
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Old 06-13-2012, 09:25 AM   #9
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I have an inverter, but didn’t want to drill all the holes. So it sits in a ventilated box and has short fat cables so I can sit it next to my battery and hook it up. Then I run an extension cord to where I want the 120V. This usually involves leaving the outside door open a bit.

If I used it more, I’d find a better setup.
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Old 06-13-2012, 09:38 AM   #10
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saydeman is got it wire it to the baatery and run an extenssion cord. that is the way it was designed. and if your boondocking that inverter will take your battery down perty fast
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Old 06-13-2012, 10:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hankpage View Post
The stereo is 12v dc and does not need an inverter. It works with or without shore power. Half the problem solved.
I wish the stereo was 12V! It is with dvd and all that kind of unit and it is AC powered only. I couldn't figure out why they would do that, but maybe they figure if you get a montana you will be in parks. If someone knows I am wrong on this then please educate me. I want music when we dry camp.
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Old 06-13-2012, 10:51 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by azlee56 View Post
I wish the stereo was 12V! It is with dvd and all that kind of unit and it is AC powered only. I couldn't figure out why they would do that, but maybe they figure if you get a montana you will be in parks. If someone knows I am wrong on this then please educate me. I want music when we dry camp.
Mine has dvd also and is 12v. I have never seen an RV radio in 110 v ac.

What make is it? Jensen? Is there a clock display when not connected to shore power? Does it look like this.
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Old 06-13-2012, 11:02 AM   #13
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it is a quest QR4000. no clock that I can remember off hand. dvd/radio/usb surround sound. During the walk thru the guy said it was all AC, but that doesn't mean anything. He didn't know there was galley valve either. He told me there wasn't. I informed there was and when the BF went back there the service manager went and got him to show him where it was.
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Old 06-13-2012, 11:21 AM   #14
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Ok .. I stand corrected it looks like this and seems to be 110v.
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:38 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hankpage View Post
By as close as possible to 12v power supply B&D means the battery. You did not say what size inverter you have but the wire size feeding that circuit may not be large enough for the distance to the battery and the draw that you intend to put on it. I am no expert but what you have done sounds like a fire waiting to happen. JM2˘, Hank
Thanks for the advise and don't lose any sleep over me having a fire. I installed a inverter in my last trailer the same way with no problems in 9 years.
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:46 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by SAABDOCTOR View Post
Have to agree with hank pulling a 15amp fuze out and putting in athirty amp sorry that's crazy :eek if there was a 15 amp fuse in there it is because the wireing and the electronics are only designrd for 15 amps not thirty. i would rethink your installation carefuly or have a fire extinguisher ready.
What makes you think the converter can't handle a 30amp fuse. It is full of 15 amp fuses because they are all for lights and things that only need a 15 amp. I've had 40's in my last trailer and poped them without any fires crazy.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:06 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by AlCorr View Post
What makes you think the converter can't handle a 30amp fuse. It is full of 15 amp fuses because they are all for lights and things that only need a 15 amp. I've had 40's in my last trailer and poped them without any fires crazy.
The circuit feeding each fuse is the correct wire size for that fuse rating. The wires feeding a 15 amp fuse are not rated for 30 amps and can melt (burn) before the 30amp fuse blows. Like you said it was hard to get the heavy wires from the inverter to attach ..... that means the circuit was not designed for that gauge wire. The 40amp circuits you talk about are fed with heavier wire. Do yourself a favor and please (For safety sake) contact B&D tech support and ask them about your install. I'm very concerned, Hank

Before this goes any further ... What size inverter do you have?????
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:31 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by hankpage View Post
The circuit feeding each fuse is the correct wire size for that fuse rating. The wires feeding a 15 amp fuse are not rated for 30 amps and can melt (burn) before the 30amp fuse blows. Like you said it was hard to get the heavy wires from the inverter to attach ..... that means the circuit was not designed for that gauge wire. The 40amp circuits you talk about are fed with heavier wire. Do yourself a favor and please (For safety sake) contact B&D tech support and ask them about your install. I'm very concerned, Hank

Before this goes any further ... What size inverter do you have?????
You are correct, and I'm not going any further with this.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:39 PM   #19
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I maybe crazy, but I'm very happy with this setup.
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Old 06-13-2012, 05:21 PM   #20
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FYI 04 Dodge has a 5.9 Cummins
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