SSTraveler
2014 LTV Unity Murphy Bed
Here is a new video from Mike Mas that is very educational for what I've covered.
Keep in mind that most modern inverter/charger combinations used in RV's have a "search watts" feature, that if properly set up, significantly reduces idle draw if you forget to turn it off. I think I have mine set at 30 watts which will keep the inverter in the search mode. That uses far less battery power consumed by the inverter than just leaving it turned on. Essentially, the electronics in the inverter takes a quick sample of any potential current draws every few seconds and it won't fire up until it reaches the user programmed setting. Why do I have mine set at 30 watts which is higher than the default of 5 watts? Well, it is because of the TV that LTV puts in your RV. It has a pre-warm up feature that allows the picture to come up more quickly. That is fine if you always have shore power, but if you forget to turn off your inverter, the pre-warm feature sucks amps from your battery. Also, a lot of people leave those wall chargers plugged in with nothing connected. They still suck power when the inverter is on There have been times when I wanted to charge a smart phone but haven't reached the 30 watt turn-on threshold. In those cases, just flipping on the TV and turning it off will start up the inverter because the load goes easily over 30 watts and when turning off the load, the inverter does not go back into search mode until the load is about 10 to 15 watts lower than my programmed turn on setting of 30 watts.Good point what is the amp charge to keep the inverter on, 1-3 amps depending on inversion amount.
Every time I see a video like this, I have one regret; I should have installed 3 Lithionics 315ah instead of 2. Amazing batteries!Here is a new video from Mike Mas that is very educational for what I've covered.
Here’s the good news, luvuman.....I’m pretty sure Lithionics has at least one more 315ah battery in stock they’d be happy to sell you. And if you decide to do it we’d all benefit from the amazing documentation I’m sure you‘d post detailing your installation.Every time I see a video like this, I have one regret; I should have installed 3 Lithionics 315ah instead of 2. Amazing batteries!
For sure!!!!Here’s the good news, lvuman.....I’m pretty sure Lithionocs has at least one more 315ah battery in stock they’d be happy to sell you. And if you decide to do it we’d all benefit from the amazing documentation I’m sure you‘d post detailing your installation.
Most of the larger inverters have a ’pass through’ feature. This means that if it senses AC power via the generator or plug-in shore power then it just passes the AC power through the inverter, even if the inverter is powered off. With the way my LTV is wired all outlets are powered at all times unless I‘m not plugged in or the Inverter is off. I need to check the electrical schematics but I believe in the Victron 3K inverter the pass through is via a relay that if the inverter fails the relay still passes external AC through it. I need to validate that statement as I’m running off of memory and I misplaced my manual.I always like to have at least 1 outlet powered off the main breaker in case the inverter craps out. They are not infallible. Failures are rare but like any complex piece of electronics, they can fail. Picture #3 shows no breaker on the right hand side for an outlet that could be powered from shore or generator.
That is correct. It is an internal or 2nd transfer switch commonly called 'pass through'. I know of 1 person that had a Magnum and that transfer failed on their unit.Most of the larger inverters have a ’pass through’ feature. This means that if it senses AC power via the generator or plug-in shore power then it just passes the AC power through the inverter, even if the inverter is powered off. With the way my LTV is wired all outlets are powered at all times unless I‘m not plugged in or the Inverter is off. I need to check the electrical schematics but I believe in the Victron 3K inverter the pass through is via a relay that if the inverter fails the relay still passes external AC through it. I need to validate that statement as I’m running off of memory and I misplaced my manual.
I thought of that as I connected all the AC wiring to my MultiPlus. Of course, the transfer switch LTV installs could cause a similar problem depending on how it failed. In either of these cases I planned on disconnecting AC In and AC Out, and joining them together temporarily with wire nuts so I'd have AC power on all outlets. I tried this on the MultiPlus and it took a few minutes. I carry a cheap 300W backup inverter too.I always like to have at least 1 outlet powered off the main breaker in case the inverter craps out. They are not infallible. Failures are rare but like any complex piece of electronics, they can fail. Picture #3 shows no breaker on the right hand side for an outlet that could be powered from shore or generator.