Tim from Alabama
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I'm looking at putting in an apartment refrigerator in my TT to replace the old refer that went out.
I am thinking about getting a 1000 watt inverter to run it off of while boondocking, so it would run off my batteries.
BUT, I also want to let it run off of a/c power when I crank my generator or plug into shore power.
I don't want to have to switch the plug from one to the other every time I change from no a/c to the TT to when I have a/c to the TT.
Is there a box of some sort out there that has an outlet or two on it, has two plug wires coming out of it, that you can plug the refer into, plug one of the wires into the inverter, and the other into the wall plug on a/c that will automatically switch between the two input sources to the same output source or draw?
In other words, something that will send the a/c power from the shore or generator power to my refer, and when that's not running or available, will switch back to the inverter for it's a/c.....even if it has to have a switch you flip manually or something from a remote switch I could install at my refer.
Any info would be helpful, since I don't want to have to unplug and plug between the two sources every time I crank to charge or park in my yard.
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Tim from Alabama
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Ideally, I wish I had an apartment refrigerator that ran on LP gas or d/c power all the time, so it would just be a smaller unit inside the old hole.
I've found 2 and 3 way units, about the same size as an apartment refer, but most of them are over $500 and up, when I could get a remanufactured regular rv refer for close to $800 with a 3 year warranty.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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You could probably build an outlet box with a relay in it, that switches, but why not just leave it on the batteries....and the genset charges them? Or, just set the plug so that you can plug into one or the other as you need. Not sure about the amount of drain one of those units has, so I don't know what kind of drain it would put on the batteries.
I'm in about the same boat.....not really wanting to invest $1000 for a new refrigerator. I even bought a little dorm fridge last time out, so we'd have something besides the ice chest. Now I'm thinking of making the refrigerator into an "Icebox" with some frozen jugs of water?? Ultimately, I'll go with the replacement 2-way Norcold,...but I'm tempted to go just electric....in the summer, we run the genset most of the time anyway.
I think the biggest problem will be getting it to fit...or finding a fridge that is the size of the opening in your RV.
Good luck!
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Maybe I'm missing something here. Plug the fridge into a 110V outlet. When setting up the circuits the inverter will service, include that circuit. In AC is plugged in, power will go to circuit from there. If using generator, same thing. If using inverter, power will come from it. My only concern would be the amount of power that would be drawn thru the inverter from the batteries when in that mode.
Harry
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Technology Corner to Tech Issues.
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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Use a Xantrex Prosine Inverter with integrated transfer switch. It'll do exactly what you're wanting to do....
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - Triton V10
Posted by Macintosh
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Hiking Hunter
Warrior, Alabama
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A load like that will take LOTS of batteries to last very long. I think you'll end up spending more money on batteries, an inverter and an apartment refrigerator than a correct replacement would cost you. I replaced my Dometic 6 cu ft unit for about $750 (even with shipping). They are not hard to install unless you have to pull a window or door frame out to get them in. You can determine this first by pulling your unit out and measuring. Check the internet for RV parts dealers that sell on the internet. I assume your original unit was gas/electric?
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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You can get an inverter with a built in transfer switch
Or you can use an external ATS (Auto Transfer Switch) just hook the inverter to the SHORE POWER input and shore power to the GENERATOR side.. Long story but they work better that way (there is a 30 second delay on transfer to generator)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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DIYGuy
TX, NY and all points in between.
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I have that exact setup in my 5th using a MagnaSine inverter/charger and a full size residential fridge. It runs off of the inverter going down the road and while boondocking, and shore power when connected, all automagically.
Here's a simplified electrical diagram...
* This post was
edited 11/30/08 08:07pm by an administrator/moderator *
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Also called pass through inverters.
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