DC Inverter to run power outlets
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Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 11:04am
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Topic: DC Inverter to run power outlets
Posted By: Tonii87
Subject: DC Inverter to run power outlets
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 4:09pm
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Good afternoon,
I recently bought a 2016 R Pod 183G. I would like to install a DC inverter to power all the outlets when not connected to shore power. All the videos I’ve seen online requires the DC inverter to be connected to the RV via the shore power outlet but I won’t like to wire the DC inverter directly inside the rv so that when I turn on the inverter it powers the outlets without having to connect the cable to the shore power outlet. Would that be possible to do without damaging anything? Hopefully my question question makes sense. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you |
Replies:
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 6:33pm
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The inverter that you are suggesting to wire into your system takes 12v electricity from the battery(s) and converts (inverts it) to 120 voltage so that will energize all your outlets in your 183G or at least it should. I don't understand what you mean when you suggest "to be connected to the RV via the shore power outlet". The shore power outlet brings in 120v into the trailer and goes to the breaker box to be distributed to your trailer's outlets and the microwave, frig, water heater and it also goes into a converter that converts the 120v to 12v to charge up the battery(s) on the trailer which would also run the interior lights. There are many ways and locations to install a power inverter which would depend on the size of inverter you need or want, again it depends on how much 12v electricity you are planning on using or needing. You really need to determine how much 12v electricity from your battery(s) you are going to be converting and then how you are going to replenish that power in the battery(s). Hope this helps ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Tonii87
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 6:55pm
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I hope YouTube links are allowed if not please delete.
https://youtu.be/5CV-uYGi_Qk If you see the video starting from minute 2:55 you can see the dc inverter gets connected to the outside of the trailer where the normal shore power connection would go. |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 10:22pm
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Our inverter installation powers only the 3 new outlets that I have added to the inverter output circuit. They are primarily used to power/recharge computers, I Pads, cameras, batteries and cell phones. In our usage, they are not meant for general use and high wattage consumption. I installed brown outlets and covers in order to differentiate these inverter outlets from the standard white outlets. Thus, the brown outlets are 'special". Inverters are not 100% effective (generally 80%+/-) and high usage may drain your battery(ies) quickly depending on the battery bank and the amount of current usage. It is more efficient to use 12volt power where possible. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 10:35pm
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Ok, I see where the question comes from.
First, why do you want to try to power all the outlets from the inverter? You don't have enough energy storage in your battery to power the air conditioner, microwave, or water heater electric element. Even powering something like a coffee maker or hair dryer is going to use too much, unless you are very very careful. Really in practice you only have enough stored energy to run the TV and a laptop of phone or two, which you can do without an inverter by getting a dual 12v/120v TV and a couple USB charge ports. All your lights, fan, heater, water heater, fridge, radio etc already run on either 12v or propane or a combination of the two. If you really must have an inverter then it's best to install a dedicated receptacle or two and run those to the inverter output. Use a different color receptacle and wall plate so you can readily remember which ones are which. Get something like a 1kw inverter at the most so you can keep your battery to inverter wire size reasonable, even a 1kw inverter will draw around 100 amps and you will need at least 2 gauge wire for it. Also, put an appropriate fuse at the +12v battery end of the cable to the inverter. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Tonii87
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 11:23pm
| The main reason I want the inverter is to power the tv and be able to charge our phones when we are not connected to 120v. It seems easier to just wire the inverter straight to the shore power wires instead of running wires to install a couple of new outlets. But just want to make sure that the easy route is not the worst way. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 3:18am
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You cannot connect the inverter at the same time as your shore power, you would quickly find where they hid the smoke in your inverter and maybe in your appliances as well.
You would need to install a transfer switch or relay so that the two sources could not be connected in parallel. That is more complicated than just putting in a new receptacle or two. But again, if you really only want to run a TV and charge your phones, swap out your TV for a dual voltage one. They aren't expensive and the mounts are standard so it will mount easily. Install a 12v receptacle (cig lighter socket/USB combo), and power that from 12V. Plug the TV into the cig lighter socket and the phones into the USB ports. Much more efficient than an inverter which changes DC to AC only to be changed back to DC again to run the electronics. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 7:44am
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+1 offgrid that would be the easiest way to accomplish your current goals and not lose a lot of your stored up power in the battery, which would not be going to charge up your phones or power the tv. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 9:35am
| Depending on what you need to do, would it be easier to get a dual source - propane or gas - generator? Then all you have to do it pull a rope. |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 12:36pm
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A small suitcase generator is an excellent solution. More power and it will charge your battery(s) at the same time. Could even be cheaper. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: Tonii87
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 3:47pm
| Thank you all |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 11:22am
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I utilized an unused circuit in the power panel to create a separate 400W inverter circuit with its own outlets. I run the TV and my Apple TV from that outlet. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 6:12pm
https://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Lighter-Splitter-Charger-Waterproof/dp/B07RHY97ZZ/ - https://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Lighter-Splitter-Charger-Waterproof/dp/B07RHY97ZZ/ https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inverter-Converter-Charger-Cigarette/dp/B08Z7QXYZ1/ - https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inverter-Converter-Charger-Cigarette/dp/B08Z7QXYZ1/ Tap into a convenient 12V line to power the outlet. Plug the inverter into the outlet to power the TV. Plug the phones into the USB outlet on either the outlet you installed (preferred) or the inverter. This will be much easier to accomplish and will cost a whole lot less than what you are proposing. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Tonii87
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 9:18pm
Thank so much had not thought about doing it like that. Definitely going that way. |