How we use our RV Power Inverter to Power Everything in our Travel Trailer | The Savvy Campers

Here is our course on inspecting new and used travel trailers: thesavvycampers.com/inspectio...
In this video we share how we install and run our RV power inverter. This simple way allows you to simply hook up your 12v power to your inverter and run everything in your trailer as if you were connected to shore power. We did not hardware the 110v side as we don't know how long we will keep this trailer and want to make it easy to switch to a new one.
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Make sure to turn off your charger so you don't try and charge your batteries through your inverter.
Our Lion Energy batteries provide great power to our inverter and we can run our microwave, tv, coffee pot, and everything we would ever want.
We have the Go Wise 2,000 watt inverter and it works for all our needs with power to spare.
Go Wise Inverter:amzn.to/35Wj1gD
Lion Energy Batteries: lionenergy.com/discount/savvy...
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[@lcainformatica745]

*A quiet **Generater.Systems** , love the dual fuel capabilities, camper is 50 amp but the adapter helps and found it still handles the load. Haven't taken a camping trip yet, that's in a couple of weeks. Will see how well it does over a long weekend.*

[@caravanstuff2827]

As my old grandad would say " DON'T OVER THINK IT AND KEEP IT SIMPLE BOY"..I see so many KZbin post's by RVers that have banks of lithium batteries with wires going from this gadget to another gadget and costs thousands of $ all to do what your simple system does..well done for keeping it simple!!.❤️🇺🇸

[@fosterechalimbana2160]

We have used the kzbin.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

[@HoneyandMe]

Perfect! So simple and exactly what I wanted to know! New sub!

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Glad it helped!

[@davidbryanwoodworksandmore]

I’m leading a lot from your videos. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Thanks David, glad to help!

[@baqdraft57]

This hack changed everything for me, thank you so much!!!!

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Happy to help!

[@donhadix9099]

I hook up my inverter basically the same way except I installed a hard wired 30amp outlet. And plug the shore power cable into it. But the trailer has a battery isolator switch built-in so you need to make sure just to turn that off when using it and it will not try to charge your batteries. I also I have a a solar power system installed.

[@jerrytalley802]

Just found your channel. I plan to do something similar with a 3,000 watt inverter. I’m going to install one of the plastic things that that you open to put the cord through but can close when not in use. No cold air, more secure too.

[@Yukonjackman1]

On our travel trailer I had enough room to make a battery tray between the body and tanks to hold 4 batteries, A battery box for our inverter plus a generator, yes that tray holds all that, I turn off the battery charger when its in use . I run our solar off the roof down to the batteries through a charge controller and switch/fuse .

[@blazeinthesky130]

That’s awesome

[@eric.burgan]

Are you direct connected from invertor to battery, or do you use a fuseable link or breaker in between?

[@brianjessen547]

So, when you turn the converter off with this set up, do the 12v things still work, like the lights, furnace and 12v fridge? I mean is the converter just a battery charger?

[@Tawnieandwayne]

Great little hack, I just tested this out on my camper and it worked perfectly. I just got done installing my solar set up but will use this method until I find more time to hardwire in the ATS. How long have you been using it like this?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

This will be our second season since installing the inverter. One thing I don't like is leaving the baggage door open for the cable. I may have to figure out another way, but on our next trailer, we will be hardwiring it.

[@lensimons9458]

The switch inside do you have a link to that and how to connect

[@chuckbrockmann734]

I have a 30amp shorepower cable. I'm connecting a 3000watt inverter. Do I need any special adapter to connect the cable to the back of the inverter?

[@MYCHANNELWITHMYSTUFF]

I added a 50 amp outlet on the outside of the RV near the inverter so all I have to do its plug the shore power cable into the new outlet to run anything in the RV. you just need a jumper wire inside the outlet to power both legs just like a 15a to 50a dog bone plug does.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Great tip!

[@chouck0101]

Can you explain more please? This is what I would like to do.

[@MYCHANNELWITHMYSTUFF]

@@chouck0101 I used (3)10ga wires (black white and ground) from back side of a 50a outlet to a repair plug then plugged that into my inverter. add a jumper wire from the black leg of the 50a outlet to the red leg of the 50a outlet so your inverter powers both legs of the outlet. then just plug your shore cord into the new 50a outlet. You can also just use a 10ga extension cord and cut off the end than needs to be wired into the 50a outlet. BE VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE YOUR CONVERTER IS SWITCHED OFF WHEN USING YOU INVERTER. see this video for how it was done on a 30 amp RV and do the same only using 50a outlet with a jumper wire. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ6Xf5iQeLasrLs

[@mynameisnobody5462]

I have 3 batteries , 2 on solar and the 3rd is just in factory position. So basically I have a solar generator made up of a few parts and batteries that I plug in in just like you did but I left the battery charger hooked up

[@TheCrawdadman]

This is exactly what I did as well, decided to go with a 24 volt lithium setup but also wanted to retain my factory 12v battery location in the front of my coach. Mounted the batteries and all the inverter/ charge controller stuff where the washing machine used to be, ran heavy duty Romex wire down to the compartment that has shore power hookup and added a 30 amp plug hooked directly to my inverter in the coach. You get a small amount of power loss through the converter going back to 12 volts but it's so little I really don't mind at all.

[@JohnSmith-ps9gy]

I want to do the same thing with solar! How big is your battery bank? If I have a stand alone battery bank 3000w inverter and charge controller I don’t need to worry about the onboard converter right? I want yo run microwave and AC simultaneously.

[@paulfiorino]

How can you plug into gas generator when you need it without unplugging shore power from inverter everytime u need generator? Thanks

[@GuitarRnR]

I am in the process of installing an inverter in my motor home and I am back feeding my panel. I was concerned about the charging loop and your video explains how to avoid this very well. I have one question however and that is, don’t you loose all your dc circuits when the converter is switched off and is there a way to avoid this since many items in the RV are dc powered?

[@GuitarRnR]

Okay, just figured out that the DC circuits are feed directly from the battery and the converter simply charges the batteries. I have placed the converter on a completely different circuit and all is good.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

No, the DC units will run on battery power when off grid. When plugged into shore power you would have your charger/converter on supplying power.

[@kevinswinyer3176]

How large does the inverter need to be, and how many batteries are needed to power the entire RV ? I have a 1991 Fleetwood Flair Class A Motorhome that does have an onboard gen set, but there may be times when I will not be able to run the Gen Set, due to location, and noise ordinances. I just recently picked up a 2000 Watt Inverter that has a 4000 Watt Surge. Would it be large enough to run my Motorhome, and how many batteries would I need to install to power the Inverter for longer time periods ? I am planning on using 12 Volt Deep Cycle Marine Batteries, but Lead Acid Batteries instead of lithium ion to save on cost.

[@grungus]

What about all the 12v stuff that runs after your converter though? I’m looking into retrofitting solar onto my travel trailer but my lights are all 12v.

[@venza907]

can you connect the 30amp directly to the inverter? but need to turn off the converter to avoid the looping of charge. I believe that is what you are saying. Sorry, i'm new to inverter install on my rv. appreciate the help.

[@EarlBalentine]

That's what I am doing. Just have to remember to turn the Converter off at the circuit breaker, then tuen on inverter with your RV plugged into the inverter. My inverter has a 30amp output so I wired a 30amp TT-30 outlet into my inverter. I'm good to good. It was mainly for any emergencies, we rarely ever dry camp but it's there if we need it.

[@athomeandtravel995]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. QUESTION: Could you explain more about the dogbone connection to the inverter? Does the inverter have a female plug that accepts the male end of a TT30 amp shore power cable?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

The inverter has a normal 110v household plug, actually three of them. I use a dogbone plug to connect our 30 amp shore cable to a normal household outlet. The dogbone adapter allows the shore power cable to be connected to the inverter without having to rewire your trailer.

[@athomeandtravel995]

@@TheSavvyCampers Great! Thanks Eric. I may have a few more questions after I binge watch a bunch more of your videos on batteries, charging, inverter, etc...

[@athomeandtravel995]

@@TheSavvyCampers Ok Eric. one issue came up. When the Inverter is on and the converter is switched off, I have no 12 volt lights, fan, etc... working. The converter is on a circuit by itself. Apparently it needs to be on for 12 volt stuff to work. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Lets say I installed a circuit breaker near the battery on the Red wire that feeds the trailers 12 volt system. When i use the inverter like you describe in the video I could turn that breaker off and leave the converter on so the inverter would feed the 12 volt system but NOT charge the battery. I would then have all 12 volt stuff and 120 volts working as if on shore power. I am no expert but trying to figure this out. I appreciate your input.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

@@athomeandtravel995 Do your 120 volt items work? Also, did you install a separate breaker for your charger?

[@athomeandtravel995]

@@TheSavvyCampers I haven't built it yet. I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want. I love your idea of hooking up the trailer shore power to the 2000 watt inverter as you did. I also understand to turn off the converter breaker so current does not just loop around. I've experimented by hooking up to my home electric and turned off the converter breaker. When I do that, sure the battery isn't being charged which is what I want, but I also don't have any 12 volt lights. I guess my question to you is: " When your shore power is hooked up to your inverter and your converter breaker is off, do your 12 volt items in the trailer work"? OOPS! something I forgot to mention. I don't have any battery installed while experimenting. I guess I will hook up the battery, Hook up to shore power, then turn the converter off. If my 12 volt lights work, I should be good to go. Thanks again for your help! I will let you know.

[@dirtyace1668]

May ask what gauge cable you use running from the inverter to the shore power inlet on the trailer?

[@EarlBalentine]

30amps would be like 10 gauge wire.

[@brettcornell647]

Will that also feed your 12v outlets since you shut off the charger/converter?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Your 12v outlets would still have power from your battery

[@bobcole3852]

What size Winnie is yours? We have a 2108DS, trying to decide 1500 or 2000 watt inverter. Took out microwave but have 1500 watt tea kettle for hot water for French press coffee so understand requirement for that. Everything else is LED, very little power and I'm not turning anything else on when I make coffee. I understand all inverters use power on standby so want to minimize that. Great video series, easy to understand and exactly what I intend to do.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Glad you liked the series Bob, I have the 2106DS. If your tea kettle is 1500 watts, make sure when you run it your refrigerator is on propane instead of auto as that can pull watts from your 110, and make sure your inverter/charger is shut off. These will rob power from your inverter causing it to overload. I would get a 2,000 watt inverter in your case.

[@bobcole3852]

@@TheSavvyCampers thanks! How much solar do you have? I put 2 100 watt panels on top and have another 100 watt portable Jackery panel. Upgraded to one 170aH lithium, so far so good. I ran everything to common bus bars with breakers as needed. All I have left is change converter, have it, just misplaced my round tuit..... Thanks for the video.

[@LukeRT]

You use a 15amp standered plug(male plugged into inverter) to a 30amp plug(female plugged into RV) ? Or is the connection in the inverter larger

[@TheSavvyCampers]

I use the 15-30 amp dogbone

[@GereDJ2]

I have a 2001 Coleman pop-up tent trailer with a 200 watt solar panel on top charging three 12v batteries in parallel. These power a 750 watt inverter which is fine for most of what I use. Can I plug my 110v shore power line directly into the inverter without damaging anything?

[@normnilsson7208]

im trying to do the same thing and need to know 1) your dog bone connection (oo:30) is it connected to the 15Amp recepticle or is it the 30 amp hard wire connection, if its the 15 amp how do you get 120AC to both line connections ?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Norm, I think I understand your question, but let me know if I am not. Yes, the dogbone is connected to the 15 amp receptacle on the inverter. I did not hardwire as we may be upgrading trailers soon and wanted to take the inverter. On a 30 amp you don't need 120v to both line connections. A 50 amp will have 2 120v hot wires.

[@normnilsson7208]

I was refering to the hard wire connection, I think thats 30amps-not sure

[@testersbc1]

@@TheSavvyCampers o

[@ebersalcido8810]

Does anything happen to your charge controller when your converter is charging the batteries

[@TheSavvyCampers]

No, the charge controller is turned off in this case.

[@scottcarrier1121]

So..if I wired the inverter directly to the shore power breaker...I know this would work the same. However....being hardwired to the breaker....when I do use shore power...there's going to be power applied back to the inverter on the 120v side when it is off. Is this going to damage the inverter at all? Thanks

[@TheSavvyCampers]

They make switches for this that allow you to run either off of shore power or inverter when hardwiring. They can be available in automatic transfer switches, or manual. As I didn't install mine this way, your best bet is to search how others have hardwired their system. Here are some other resources: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bamugKyIrt2XhM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKGsdKqKqaaJlas

[@scottcarrier1121]

@@TheSavvyCampers I ended up installing a DPST switch next to the remote switch. Keeping it simple without an auto switch over. Thx for the info!

[@EarlBalentine]

With your converter turned off so you don't have a charging loop does your 12 lights or anything 12v still work with the controller off? I know if you were plugged into a RV Park's 30amp pedestal that power passes thru your controller and your controller converts 120v to 12v for all your 12v devices.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes, everything will still work. The 12v systems will still run from the batteries.

[@brettcornell647]

Do you have a special lithium charger or does the one in your RV charge lithium?

[@sampsin1]

Did you change out your converter/charger?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

No, I use the factory charger.

[@rawtry65]

I have two Trojon t-105 6volt batteries...Would it be better to put in a 3000 watt inverter or 2000 watt inverter...

[@sfurse77]

The batteries won't really matter. You'll determine the size of the inverter off of what you want it to run.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Thanks for the response Steve, that is correct. Figure out your draw and that will let you know the size of inverter.

[@rickhuff5197]

Do you also have solar keeping your batteries topped off

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Rick, yes, we have solar keeping our batteries charged. We have 200 watts on the roof as well as a portable 100 watt panel.

[@jerrytalley802]

Just found this video. Couldn’t you install one of the plastic things you use a hole saw. It’s where a cable comes up through the floor of Cargo trailers for example. You may be able to install it in the door so you don’t have to penetrate the floor of the rv. That way you could run the cable through and close the door to keep air out.

[@rickhuff5197]

Are you plugging into your inverter with the dogbone. Is the dog bone 110 to 30

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Yes Rick, the dogbone is a 15 amp to 30 amp.

[@EarlBalentine]

My 3000 watt inverter has several 15amp outlets but that limits how much power you can use. My inverter has a separate 30amp outlet that can be hardwired to a 30amp receptacle so you can have about 25amps the should be enough to run your A/C for a short period depending on how many batteries you have.

[@thomasgriffith3747]

Nice setup! I RV fulltime. We often find ourselves without power in the RV parks due to a storm or the park is working on somthing. I dont want a generator to lug around just incase it's needed. So my idea is to mount a second battery and inverter in my pickup bed toolbox. And run a cord from there to the RV and just run my truck to produce power. My question is what size inverter do you suggest? I'm in a 30ft travel trailer. My A/C is 13,500 btu. No soft-start installed. Thanks

[@Maximonious]

What is the start up wattage of your A/C?

[@thomasgriffith3747]

@@Maximonious I have no idea. It's 2018 RV with 13,500 btu A/C. My RV runs a 30amp shore power if that helps

[@Maximonious]

@@thomasgriffith3747 Just looked one up on Amazon. Looks like 3,000 watts (That's probably start up watts). Yikes. That's a lot. It's probably less while running. BUT... You'll need a 3,000 watt inverter (or higher) and lots of battery storage... and solar to replenish! It might be best to just get a 3500W generator.

[@Maximonious]

You might be able to get away with a 2,000W inverter (4,000 Peak). Maybe!!

[@martinrascon1350]

8000 watt inverter

[@kennethadams5867]

So what power goes into the converter

[@mozberg2191]

You flip off the converter so it doesn't cycle between itself and waste power

[@DavidrKun]

I have a Ninja Coffee maker and it uses 1800+ watts of power. I have a 3000 watt inverter. I can run my Travel trailer but can't get my AC to run. But being in the desert we have a stand alone swamp cooler

[@gadroberts]

David you may have to add a soft start device to allow your AC to run. I don’t know the electrical specifications around your AC.

[@DavidrKun]

@@gadroberts yes, I think you are right. I have it on the list.

[@EarlBalentine]

make sure nothing else is running then you should be able to run your A/C. Set your A/C on low instead of high cool. But you will run your batteries down in less than an hour.

[@jessicapuisis3678]

I cant find your installation video?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Here it is Jessica: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5e1mWZjptZ2nMU

[@christopherhicks4566]

What do you use to power your inverter? And does it charge your batteries while you’re using appliances?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

I use my 2 Lion Energy batteries to power the inverter. I have the charging circuit turned off as it would drain the batteries.

[@2023toyotarav4trdoff-road]

Can I run 110 a/c unit with inverter?

[@EarlBalentine]

Sure but you need at lease a 3000 watt inverter and one or two batteries will run down in less than an hour. People with big rigs have 1000 or 2000 watts of solar on the roof with 900ah or 1200ah of batteries to be able to run A/C for several hours.

[@genemcpherson9043]

Can you run your AC unit

[@EarlBalentine]

Running your A/C off your inverter and batteries will run the batteries down very fast maybe less than an hour.

[@LadyHaze90]

Can someone tell me if a 100ah battery group 31 with a 100 w solar panel to charge ( will be charging all day ) can hold enough power to run a rv fridge consuming about 300-500 watts over night before the sun comes out again to charge the battery …. My fear is it will drain battery to a dangerous level every night before charging again heard u can’t let deep cycle battery’s go below 50 percent

[@TheSavvyCampers]

500 watts of consumption is about 41.66 amp hours. As your battery only has 50 amp hours of usable, I would say this is not enough as you will have other items pulling from the battery as well. Is this for a propane fridge or 12v model?

[@LadyHaze90]

@@TheSavvyCampers the model does both but I can’t seem to get the propane to light I hear the pilot trying to spark but nothing can I put a flame to it and ignite it manually ?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

@@LadyHaze90 If you have had propane off for a while you may need to clear the air out of your lines. Try running your stove and then try to start the fridge.

[@LadyHaze90]

@@TheSavvyCampers thank you I’m going to try that this weekend. I’ll keep you posted

[@kal9906]

Also turn off the air conditioner and water heater breakers and make sure the fridge is switched to gas only.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

Great tips, thanks. You can run the air conditioner on the inverter,, but your battery will drain in about 30 minutes.

[@steved5023]

I just worked on that. I have a window ac in my small jayco. It is 8000 but and very noisy. I installed the quietest 6000 btu I could find .insulated aground it and used the power system u dicribed. I have two 24 volt arrays 100 watt panels , four in two 24 sets. I live in Fl, today during sunny hot day 94. Outside, in the shade. I ran inverter for four hrs. Cooled camper down to 78. When I turned off inverter ,battles should 12.4 volts. 3 -100 amp trolling motor Hattie’s with 250 watt inverter

[@mtbhub2090]

Couldn't I just disconnect the batteries from the trailer then run the batteries straight to the inverter? Instead of adding a breaker?

[@wveers98]

I am working on my RV solar now and that was my plan, simply unhook the RV battery to avoid the "charging loop" (although mine is not really a loop - I'll have my solar batteries and still have the RV standard battery). The only question is if the DC will still work without the RV battery not being hooked up? Hope we get a response, but if not, I'll let you know how it goes when I try it :)

[@mtbhub2090]

@@wveers98 Thanks and good luck 👍

[@wveers98]

@@mtbhub2090 Cool. I am pretty sure it will work. The converter will simply not recognize a "need" to charge (there is nothing there). Hope to have it installed this w-end.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

The 12v dc will not work if you don't hook up the battery to avoid the charging loop. They also wont get charged when you are plugged into shore power as well.

[@TheSavvyCampers]

The breaker is added to avoid the charging loop. You don't want to try and charge your batteries with battery power as it will run them down quickkly.

[@JB-mo8rs]

I guess I’ll be keeping my generator. Too confusing.

[@cwbeasy1987]

I wonder what would happen if you plugged a 12v battery into an inverter , then into a transformer to raise the volts, then plug into a converter to charge the battery , while , using appliances plugged into your inverter draining power from your battery ???? I'm sure it's already been thought of . But what happens ? (Leave smart ass know it all answers in your fingers please)

[@alwayson7229]

Can’t you just run this off separate batteries instead of the house then no need to worry about converter shut off. Then use battery charger for inverter batteries

[@JackWorkz]

Thats what I'm going to try, leave the house battery, then install 4x 6v batteries to run the invertor with solar to charge those and just plug the shore power coord into those 🤷‍♂️

[@aliceinchainz3003]

u are a genius man ! however lol with me and my wife omg from a 55inch tv goin all night a ps5 call of duty all night streaming movies runing the internet my laptop goin with the AC or the heat ummm that wouldnt work 4 us lol we had to get a 4000 wat generator runing on a 40p propane bottle to keep it goin and we run this stuff all day everyday for months at a time lol. the generator is duel fuel we never use gasoline ever. so when we boondock we just need 5 40p propane bottles and 2 echflow solar generators with panels i mean for months we run this stuff never shuttin down lol our only cost really is a propane run once a month and food thats it. we live full time in our rv. . oh an every blue moon i change the oil in the generator. never been happier.

[@vidacrazy]

No offense but, this is, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID at it's finest! (runs to store to buy what I need for this exact same set up lol)

[@JRSTUFF779]

Thank you for the video, but could use your input. I have the 3000/6000 watt version of this inverter and have it worked the same way. As soon as put my rv microwave load on it, it makes a beeping noise and need reset. Any ideas as to why?

[@TheSavvyCampers]

It seems like you may be overpowering it. Have you isolated your charge controller, is your fridge running on 110 or propane?

[@matthewdeck3246]

Your batteries cannot handle the load the inverter is trying to pull. Upgrade to lithium batteries.