Inverter help/info please

HarleyOutlaw · 02-02-2016, 11:47 PM

2016 Outlaw 37RB. Has res fridge and an inverter.

I have learned that the inverter needs to be on all the time for the fridge but it should be turned off when in storage as it does draw down the house batteries.

Is that correct?

Now for what may be a stupid question.......... How do the house 6 volt batteries get converted to 12 volt AC? Does it go through this inverter or something else?

Sorry, this is our first RV and I obviously have a lot to learn.

**EA37TS** · 02-02-2016, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

2016 Outlaw 37RB. Has res fridge and an inverter.

I have learned that the inverter needs to be on all the time for the fridge but it should be turned off when in storage as it does draw down the house batteries.

Is that correct?

Now for what may be a stupid question.......... How do the house 6 volt batteries get converted to 12 volt AC? Does it go through this inverter or something else?

Sorry, this is our first RV and I obviously have a lot to learn.

First 12 volt. The 12 volt system is 12 VDC and not 12 VAC. The 6 volt batteries are connected in series thereby providing 12 VDC.

Inverter - the inverter can be turned off when connected to shore power or when the coach is in storage.

HarleyOutlaw · 02-02-2016, 11:59 PM

OK, so when connected to shore power the inverter is not needed? Ive been told it should be on.

**EA37TS** · 02-03-2016, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

OK, so when connected to shore power the inverter is not needed? Ive been told it should be on.

Unless your inverter is an inverter/charger there is no need to have it on when connected to shore power.

Do you know the model of your inverter?

HarleyOutlaw · 02-03-2016, 12:11 AM

Not sure what model it is. Its an 1800 watt inverter

**EA37TS** · 02-03-2016, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

Not sure what model it is. Its an 1800 watt inverter

More than likely you have the same Xantrex 1800 inverter as me. Turn it off when connected to shore power. Keeping it on only places additional wear on the inverter's cooling fan.

HarleyOutlaw · 02-03-2016, 12:26 AM

Xantrex, yep thats it. Couldn't remember that name.

So shore power, OFF. Driving or running generator, ON.

Thank you.

**EA37TS** · 02-03-2016, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

Xantrex, yep thats it. Couldn't remember that name.

So shore power, OFF. Driving or running generator, ON.

Thank you.

It's not needed when running the generator. The only time my inverter is on is when I am running down the road.

HarleyOutlaw · 02-03-2016, 12:30 AM

OK then. Only when driving it is.

thank you

**EA37TS** · 02-03-2016, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyOutlaw

OK then. Only when driving it is.

thank you

There may be other time as well, one example would be if you are preparing for a trip and need to cool the fridge with no shore power available. At that time you would want to run the inverter and possibly enable the auto gen start.

I have 50 amp on the side of the house so my coach is always connected to shore power except for when we are travelling.

Normfitz · 03-16-2016, 01:17 AM

Sorry to jump in I was reading this thread and wanted to ask, is it odd that my TV FRIG and microwave don't power unless the inverter is on with the generator running. They work with shore power as well but if I use my gen I need to select inverter in order to use tv,refrig. Thoughts?

vkb · 03-16-2016, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normfitz

Sorry to jump in I was reading this thread and wanted to ask, is it odd that my TV FRIG and microwave don't power unless the inverter is on with the generator running. They work with shore power as well but if I use my gen I need to select inverter in order to use tv,refrig. Thoughts?

If your setup is similar to ours and our previous Dorado..this is by design.
If you want to cool your frig while running down the road, switch it to gas ..
your TV & microwave operate off shore power or generator....this has been our past experience.

**EA37TS** · 03-16-2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normfitz

Sorry to jump in I was reading this thread and wanted to ask, is it odd that my TV FRIG and microwave don't power unless the inverter is on with the generator running. They work with shore power as well but if I use my gen I need to select inverter in order to use tv,refrig. Thoughts?

No that is not odd and it sounds like the system is functioning as designed. The generator charges the house batteries when not connected to shore power. The inverter takes the 12 VDC from the house batteries and converts it to 120VAC for use by select circuits.

The thing you need to make sure of is that the Automatic Generator Start (AGS) is set to start the generator before the inverter shuts down due to low power. This is especially important dry camping. When running down the road the engine alternator will keep the house batteries charged while running the inverter.

Normfitz · 03-16-2016, 11:42 AM

Great I am glad it is working correctly. One ? At What voltage will the inverter shut down for low voltage and at what voltage will the auto gen start if enabled? I reviewed the owners manual and didn't see the parameters listed. I am checking my setting on the AGS due to under voltage warning (E02) while Auto Gen enabled. Inutatively I would think the auto gen would start before an under voltage warning. Heading back to dealer today for windshield leak repair and will be certain to direct them to set the AGS .

**EA37TS** · 03-16-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normfitz

Great I am glad it is working correctly. One ? At What voltage will the inverter shut down for low voltage and at what voltage will the auto gen start if enabled? I reviewed the owners manual and didn't see the parameters listed. I am checking my setting on the AGS due to under voltage warning (E02) while Auto Gen enabled. Inutatively I would think the auto gen would start before an under voltage warning. Heading back to dealer today for windshield leak repair and will be certain to direct them to set the AGS .

On the Magnum AGS control box there are various thumb screws that you can set. Oftentimes the low voltage screw is set to the lowest setting which is around 10 VDC and the inverter shuts itself off with the E02 error at around 10.5 VDC. The Inverter also gives a Low Voltage warning E01 at 11 VDC so setting the AGS at just over 11 VDC should start the generator before the inverter has issues. I would however determine the maximum allowable discharge on the house batteries and make sure you can go down to 11 or 11.5 volts.

Also, for the AGS to function you must have the switch set to enable.

Attached is the data sheet for the AGS which explains the settings.

AGS_data_sheet_revc.pdf

Hope this helps.

Normfitz · 03-16-2016, 02:42 PM

Interesting and thanks! Way more helpful than the dealer. My auto Gen was on enable and I was recieving E02 warnings with out the gen starting. I will check the setting of the AGS and put it at about 11.7. I will also ask the technician to verify the auto gen system /function is operating as advertised. When they repair my leaking windshield, bad wiper blades, missing center cushion for banquet bed, etc etc...

Johnandpam · 03-04-2018, 07:06 PM

What does E01 error mean on the inverter. There is an alarm beeping also

Beau388 · 03-04-2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnandpam

What does E01 error mean on the inverter. There is an alarm beeping also

E-01 is low battery voltage. The error codes are in table 15-1 of your owners instructions for the inverter or on the Xantrex website.

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