Daneast1 Report post Posted February 25, 2018 When is the inverter suppose to run? Does it run anytime it’s plugged in? Will it run on 110 volts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abyrd Report post Posted February 26, 2018 The inverter provides 110v AC power to dedicated circuit when you are not plugged in to shore power or when you are not running your generator. The inverter is powered by you 12 volt DC house batteries and is not designed for appliance that require large amounts of power such as space heaters. Typically you will find it will power circuits to your microwave, TV, VCR and one or two other receptacles. The inverter can be programed on come on automatically in the absence of 110 V AC power from shore power or your generator, Hope this answers your question. Also, welcome to the form. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted February 26, 2018 Dan. Welcome. It would help to know make, model and year of your coach. Also, what size inverter you have! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted February 26, 2018 Some inverters will be 'on' whenever they are connected to the battery bank, and they can draw down the batteries even when not being usef. That's why you sometimes see manual disconnect switches or automatic disconnect switches installed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbutler Report post Posted February 26, 2018 An inverter takes 12V DC power from the batteries and produces 110V AC power. If you want or need 110V AC (like the electric in your house) in your coach, then the inverter should be on. If you don't need 110V AC power, you can turn the inverter off. We leave ours on all the time. Just our preference, not a requirement. Louise doesn't like to reset the clocks on the microwave and alarm clocks, etc. Also, we may turn the TV on when we make a stop to check weather, news, etc. Our coach is just like home, we have 110 V AC all the time... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted February 26, 2018 The answer is likely more complex than a simple YES or NO. Again, knowing exactly what inverter (or more likely an inverter/charger) will allow us to accurately answer your question. If an inverter alone, when off, it does nothing when no 120 VAC from external source (generator or shore power). When on (same conditions) it uses battery power to produce 120 VAC for those circuits "downstream" of the inverter. Even if you are not using any power, it will slowly draw down the batteries as it takes some power to be in "standby mode". Many inverters have a "pass through" feature-- basically a built-in ATS (automatic transfer switch). When you have 120 VAC from an external source it does not invert, it merely "passes through" the 120 VAC from the other source. Most inverters are really inverter/chargers. If this is what you have, when an external source of 120 VAC, in addition to the above, it will charge the batteries. And most are "smart chargers" with bulk, absorption and float voltages. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted February 26, 2018 Brett about covered it. I called Magnum and asked them about the leave on or leave off and turn it on when you need it. They said it makes no difference, however, as Brett said, the inverter does draw some power in the standby mode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
