'21 3120 Legacy- adding microwave to inverted system

[hemiallen]

Newly added 700 AH Li system and just realized I can probably add the microwave to the inverted system ( 300w factory unit) possibly in the in command wet bay panel? Please let me know how to do this probably simple job. This will be a lot nicer than starting my portable 2200i generator, and a better use of the 700 Ah battery bank.

I have increased the wire size from the charger to the battery bank t get 50A charge capacity, thinking this should be an easy wiring change.

Thank you

Allen

[AZ Traveler]

Allen,

What size inverter do you have?

[hemiallen]

Sorry, I typed 300 but meant the 3000w from the legacy package

[AZ Traveler]

Allen,

I added a secondary circuit breaker box to mine to power all except the air conditioners off the inverter. Not the simple of a task.

[hemiallen]

Thanks
I actually searched before posting and saw that thread, but the images aren't there anymore. Yes, I am hoping just for that one leg it might be easier to find and extend the wiring to tie into the inverter, somewhere in the master system.

Thank you

[Daryles]

Maybe wire in a transfer switch to the output of the inverter?
That will do your whole rig.
You will just have to be careful what you turn on.

[hemiallen]

Thanks.

I guess I was hoping inside the main panel in the wet bay it would be just adding jump wires to move the 120v wire that feeds the outlets the microwave is on to the other connection that feeds the recliners, 120v pedestal and whatever else the Inverter feeds. I believe it is like rerouting a wire in your home main panel to another existing breaker.

I might just have to empty the wet bay for access, open the panel, unplug shore power and see which wires are hot of 120v from the battery-inverter.

Thanks for the suggestions

Allen

[Daryles]

In the beginning of our boondocking, I ran three 12 gauge extension cords from the inverter long enough to reach the appliance I wanted to run. The longest all the way to the entertainment center, one to the microwave and one to the coffee bar.
When not in use I rolled them up and hung them in the pantry on a hook.
As we started boondocking more, I re-wired directly into the circuit breaker panel and removed the extension cords.
On my "to-do" list this winter is to install an auto transfer switch. We already bought a new 3000w inverter that has terminals and can be wired in directly.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Allen,

I added a secondary circuit breaker box to mine to power all except the air conditioners off the inverter. Not the simple of a task.

That’s what I did as well. AC’s, water heater, dryer and converter are the only things left in the main breaker panel. I also added a “shore power only” outlet to the end of the coffee bar for our electric space heater.

[hemiallen]

Thanks again.

I do think all that isn't already wired to the inverter is maybe one of the pop up towers, Microwave and AC.

I believe with the in command central wiring panel in the wet bay everything wires to this panel. I will open the cover when it's raining in a couple of days, I might have more questions....


Thank you
Allen

[DiveMaster]

My camper (2021 3121RL) is in storage, or I would provide pictures. Hopefully the description is enough. I also upgraded my solar and battery to be able to run and boon dock more, and I wanted to be able to use the microwave. Our microwave is above the stove and on the right side on the counter top, the pop-up electric is tied to the solar. The plug for the microwave is in the closet directly above that normally plugged into the wall socket. So I drilled 2 1.5" inch holes through the inner shelf and out the bottom in the back corner. You can buy rubber inserts to dress up the holes. Then I put in a short heavy-duty extension cord with the plug side hanging out. You can also tack the wires in place so they don't get in your way. Then when we need the microwave on battery I just plug it in the top and bottom. Fairly simple fix.

[RacerX]

I have a different rig and configuration, but faced a similar question. The first question I would ask is how often will you be using the microwave via the Inverter?

For me, the microwave via the inverter would only be used occasionally, so I took an approach from the other end of the circuit. Basically, I moved the receptacle that the microwave plugs into into an adjacent cabinet with an access hole for the cord to plug into it. When I need to run the microwave on the inverted circuit, I use a short 12 gauge extension cord to extend the microwave plug to an inverted outlet that is less than 3 feet away. When done using the microwave, I just plug it into its normal receptacle and put the extension cord aside. The extension cord is less than 5 feet long. Even so I probably wouldn’t use this set up for a long microwave session, but it reheats things well and makes popcorn like a champ. I would not do this with any narrower gauge and 10 would even be better.

Downside to this approach is that when I am hooked up to the inverted circuit my extension cord comes out of the cabinet door and over to the inverted receptacle. In normal mode with cabinet door closed it is invisible I had to take the microwave out to reposition the factory microwave receptacle/box, but that was very easy to do.

My other alternatives were trying to extend the inverted circuit or running a new circuit from the inverter but both seemed a lot more complicated given that the original microwave circuit terminates at the 120 v distribution panel which is mid coach and really far from the inverter up front. ..

[hemiallen]

Thank you both for the idea's. I'll look closer at the trailer after Thanksgiving holiday .

Thank you and have a good Thanksgiving

Allen