Inverter mystery

[Levinehikeski]

Originally Posted by Cavie

when you find the inverter it my have a GFI reset on it.

I am going to suggest looking for a GFCI on one of the outlets.
Or, could you ask the previous owner or salesperson to contact the previous owner? Maybe the dealer installed it and will have info?

[videoarizona]

By any chance did the PO put the inverter in the engine compartment?
I've seen that before.... Still shaking my head in that one.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by JesseS

Inverters have a 'floating' ground so no GFCI.

My inverter has GFI as I had to reset it. See picture of my front panel. There are the test and reset buttons.

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by JesseS

A little late, that is a smaller inverter without a hard wire to the service panel, never seen one used in a serious RV install but there are exceptions to everything. A floating neutral would be very dangerous, and there is such a thing as a floating ground. (Floating ground - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Floating_ground


Some Hard Wired INverters also have gfi's.

Most electrical circuits have a ground which is electrically connected to the Earth, hence the name "ground". The ground is said to be floating when this connection does not exist.
You cannot connect a ground to 'earth' when boondocking on rubber tires, unless you want to drive in a ground rod and connect it to your chassis. When connected to the PED you're grounded.

I try to keep things simple for the DIY crowd here. That is a very good description of a floating ground. A floating ground is something you NEVER want to see in an RV. A floating Neuteral is what you want to see If your RV has a metal panel box, have a look see inside and you will understand what I am talking about. If you have access look at the shore power ped. I am a 50 year Master Electrician. In those 50 years and 3 businesses ( 2 in operation ) have never had a situation where a floating ground was desired. Now go back and answer my questions in my last post.

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by JimD

My inverter has GFI as I had to reset it. See picture of my front panel. There are the test and reset buttons.

Yes it does, but this is a small portable inverter not hardwired so not connected to your RV distribution panel. I was mainly referring to larger 2KW> hardwired systems. Perhaps I should have specified. I have a small 500 watt portable run off of a lithium for hand tools and such away from the rig that also has one.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Dnbgould

Apparently the first owner of my 2016 Melbourne had an inverter installed as Ive confirmed with Jayco it did not come with one.
It recently stopped working and nothing I can do helps me locate it.

If anyone had installed one in a similar model, please let me know where you might have placed it if it wasnt near the power center located under the “master” bed...because I definitely do not have one there...or anywhere else I can think to look.


Thanks for your help.

P.S. comments about watching videos, learning about RV electrical systems and other useless drivel are not required.

I would follow back from the plug or from the battery forward and after reading all the posts now I think like Jesse said I think it is built into your panel. the power panel is combined with an inverter. just a guess

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by JesseS

Yes it does, but this is a small portable inverter not hardwired so not connected to your RV distribution panel. I was mainly referring to larger 2KW> hardwired systems. Perhaps I should have specified. I have a small 500 watt portable run off of a lithium for hand tools and such away from the rig that also has one.

2500 watt pure sine inverter/charger. Hard wired. GFI mounted on the front.

https://theinverterstore.com/product...gaAj9fEALw_wcB

[Cavie]

Did you buy a different brand and get it to work?

[RetiredOne]

Any chance it was reading an accurate, low voltage condition of your batteries? Did you put a voltmeter on your batteries to see what the true voltage was when the alarm went off? Three times? What's the condition of your batteries? Overheating would come from low voltage, as amperage (wattage) goes up as voltage drops.

[Cavie]

Two different companies. same issues with both? I'm calling operator error. Sorry.