Thor Forums

[TurnerFam]

Our Magnum inverter is always on...it is the 'back up' power from the batteries to either Generator or Shore Power, so that we don't 'lose' electricity and have to reset the microwave, or worse, lose things in the fridge.

The Inverter is simple the third arm to your 3 different power supply sources: Shore power, Generator power, and Battery power. Since the batteries are a 12v output, the Inverter simply changes it to 120v, just like shore and generator power.
Now, there are some limitations of the inverter, compared to the other two power sources, since it is limited by the 12v power of the batteries, so it typically is only going to power several breakers in your main panel, generally the Fridge, microwave, bathroom and other GFCI protected outlets, and probably another set of regular outlets.

The inverter typically also acts as a battery charger when you are plugged into shore power, or run the generator, though your Alternator may also charge them when you are traveling....of course, any solar power would also add to that.