What does prewired for inverter mean?

Curtie

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Joined
Dec 25, 2024
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Have a Jayco Redhawk 26xd- Says it is prewired for INVERTER. I see a breaker that says (Inverter if applicable)? I have not torn into yet. Wondering if wires are ran between batteries (Under Steps) and breaker panel( Under rear bed) ? or Plugs. Someone said that some plugs may be ready for Inverter. Just starting to research it. Looking to add Renogy 2000 or 3000 watt inverter just for TV- Tuner and coffee maker. Looking into ATS (automatic Transfer Switch) or Bypass switch. Will be a Big Learning Experience for me. Thanks for any tips.
 
Welcome to the forum!
At some location within your RV the factory ran some wires for 120v input, and 12v DC input. I am thinking that the 12v DC conductors will be too small for a 2000 or 3000 watt inverter. I’m thinking that you most likely do not need a 2000 or 3000 for what you are powering. A smart TV can range from 50 to 200 watts, but typically at 100 watts. A small 5 cup coffee maker runs about 600 to 650 watts. A 12 cup coffee maker around 900 watts.
Here are the issues. You need to verify its location, and verify conductor sizes pre wired. Then you need to see what if anything has been installed for the output side. Ours only runs (3) TV’s and is 1100 watts. So, for a coffee maker to be connected, you will most likely have to run the cable and install the receptacle.
As far as transfer switch, most inverters have internal transfer.
Hope this helps you.
 
In the case of my TT it was reported to be pre-wired for inverter. The pre-wired location amounted to only two receptacles in our bedroom. There was a buss bar located in my foward storage compartment, where you can run a short wire from the inverter mounted in the area.

I guess the factory engineers figured that an owner would use an extension cord to some appliance or either a person would plug something directly into the receptacle. Well that's not always possible for items such as your tv in the living area, or a microwave as an example.

There are ways you can power up your 110 volt system throughout the unit, but comes with a lot of ifs, ands and butts. I can write a lengthy reply, but if you are not familiar with all things electrical, I recommend you ask around your location to see if there are any rv repair guys familiar with upgrading your unit to an inverter and solar setups.

This does not have to be solar involved. But normally folks familiar with upfitting for solar are experienced with wiring size requirements and equipment related to improving setups that's pre-wired for inverters. I actually did the same thing even though I still have one dedicated receptacle for my 2000 watt inverter.

A side note, as far as coffee pots, a K cup can draw as much as 1500 watts, which sucks the bulk of power from a 2000 watt inverter. So if you use an electric coffee pot stay with the regular Mr. Coffee type, or use a percolator on your gas stove top, if you have a gas stove.

If you go bigger than a 2000 watt inverter, most standard inverters have a standby requirement for battery power. So if you are boondocking and have minimal amount of solar to maintain your batteries, you will kill them. Make sure you use proper sized cable for the run distance.
 
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What year is your 26XD? If it's within the last 10 years, Jayco will still have the wiring schematics. Ask them to send those to you at this link: https://www.jayco.com/contact-motorized-service/

Be sure to ask them for both AC and DC schematics. The DC schematics will show where the wires connect and what wire gauge they used. The AC schematic will show which outlets are on the inverter breaker. In my Greyhawk, the inverter is 1000W and Jayco used 4 ga wire from an isolator stud near it (under the bed). The isolator stud also connects to the battery with 4 ga wire. Yours may be different, of course, but the schematic should show what they installed.
 

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