Bear with me

tawoo · 09-10-2014, 12:52 PM

I hope I can explain what I would like to do..
Can I plug into my inverter and then plug into the closest AC outlet in the TT. What I would like to do is energize ( back feed) all plugs in the camper from my inverter.
My concern is would it do damage to the TT's converter?

Tex1961 · 09-10-2014, 01:08 PM

Serious damage, maybe even fire..

If I understand, you want to take a 12vdc to 110vac inverter, plug the 110v output into one of your trailer plugs to get electricity to the rest of the plugs?

If I am reading your question wrong I'm sorry, but you might have to explain it a bit better.

Plowtoy · 09-10-2014, 01:15 PM

I think in theory it would work....BUT, I wouldn't try it. The best thing to do if you want to power up the whole RV with the inverter (which i doubt it could handle either way) would be to plug the shore power cord into it directly. Interesting thought though...

Salsa03 · 09-10-2014, 01:16 PM

I read your question a few times, and I got the same sense that Tex1961 made out of it

In my mind this is a real redneck idea!!!!

tawoo · 09-10-2014, 01:25 PM

Yes, Tex1961 that is exactly what I would like to do. We only camp boon docking so having an inverter/batteries/solar is the only way I can have AC voltage. I don't need to power everything like AC but it would be nice to have all AC outlets available.
I don't doubt your right but just curious how do you know if it would damage the campers converter?

Grumpy · 09-10-2014, 01:55 PM

You would have to turn off or unplug the converter since it would be trying to charge the batteries that you are drawing from.

Tex1961 · 09-10-2014, 02:01 PM

Tawoo,

ok,, got it.. You would be trying to reverse the flow of power which could cause some serious damage to your inverter. It is made to have power flow out, not in..

Also you may have some systems that are connected to your 110 power, using the inverter may try to power those systems as well and put a huge drain on your inverter to the point of lowering the power and voltage which could do more damage to those systems.. Radio, CO2 detector, etc.. I know that as soon as I put shore power to my TT, the radio powers up, the microwave panel comes on, my CO2 detector comes on and those are just the systems i am aware of..

I'm not an electrician, but have several years as an electronic technician and have seen some nasty things happen with power supplies when the electricity is flowing the wrong way. I am also going to say that while I am not 100% sure that anything would happen I wouldn't take the chance..

frieed · 09-10-2014, 02:04 PM

You could rig it up with a transfer switch and a bit of rewiring

Converter powered from shore power only (maybe micro and AirCond as well)
Shore power live, 120V outlets powered by shore power.
Shore power off, 120V outlets powered by inverter.

Radio and CO detector should be 12V

Kellys · 09-10-2014, 03:02 PM

THERE ARE TO TWO KEY WORDS TO THIS SCENARIO TO CONSIDER THEY ARE FRIED AND RIGGED AND I HAVE WORKED AS AN ELECTRCIAN I WOULD NOT TRY IT . JUST MY TWO

Camping Couple · 09-10-2014, 05:00 PM

In my opinion your asking for trouble. If you REALLY want to power your outlets, I would recommend just purchasing a small honda generator. Back feeding in a TT doesn't sound like a good thing.

RVhiker · 09-10-2014, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawoo

I hope I can explain what I would like to do..
Can I plug into my inverter and then plug into the closest AC outlet in the TT. What I would like to do is energize ( back feed) all plugs in the camper from my inverter.
My concern is would it do damage to the TT's converter?

In addition to previous cautions mentioned, you would also energize your trailer umbilical's male plug - certainly not a good idea to have 120 volts at the bare plug prongs.

frieed · 09-10-2014, 08:39 PM

I wasn't suggesting back feeding, but rather a separate input to a transfer switch for the inverter. Perfectly safe, done with backup generators all the time. (may not be terribly cost effective though)

Big Sky · 09-10-2014, 09:34 PM

Tex, you can't do it the way you are describing. You can wire an inverter into your load panel to handle all your AC outlets. We run the electric coffee maker & the microwave as well off of battery power while boondocking. We've run the air conditioner for 30 minutes once and also, by mistake, ran the fridge of off AC power when it should have been on propane. See my pics on my mod.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/album.php?albumid=529

Tex1961 · 09-11-2014, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sky

Tex, you can't do it the way you are describing. You can wire an inverter into your load panel to handle all your AC outlets. We run the electric coffee maker & the microwave as well off of battery power while boondocking. We've run the air conditioner for 30 minutes once and also, by mistake, ran the fridge of off AC power when it should have been on propane. See my pics on my mod.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/album.php?albumid=529

Big Sky, I think you got me mixed up with someone else... I didn't describe any way of doing any modifications.

nwminnesota · 09-11-2014, 06:05 AM

There is The right way to do it and a wrong way. The way your describing is the wrong way. Don't do it. Unsafe. Plus you will waste alot of energy if it does work.

Big Sky · 09-11-2014, 07:51 AM

Sorry Tex, you're right. I meant to address the original OP, Tawoo.

eldermike · 09-11-2014, 09:15 AM

This is one of those things: if you have to ask don't do it. If you could write a paper on it and get an A+ and 2 smiley faces, then do it. You can't use a battery and also charge it at the same time with it's own power output, that will not work on earth. What is the wattage output of all the things that can be unintentionally turned on by someone other than you?

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