Inverter

I remember reading a while back about disconnecting the inverter on a 2350 in order to conserve battery power while dry camping. I would like to know how to disconnect the inverter on a my 2009 PC 2400. Will the refrig.. and lights still work ? How should the inverter be set to recharge the coach batteries? I would appreciate answers to these questions and any other helpful information on the inverter. This is the first unit I have had with an inverter.  Thanks, rannan

The inverter uses the house batteries (12 volt DC) to make 110 volt AC for the plugs. If you want to run a hair dryer or the microwave, both of which will use a lot of battery power, you turn on the inverter and plug them in. Otherwise you can save a small amount, about .7 amps per hour, if you turn off the inverter. The overhead lights are 12v and don't need the inverter as they run off the batteries. If you have a 110 volt plug tester, and you should, plug it into the wall plug and then turn on the inverter. On my PC the two plugs in the wings between the house and the cab are not on the inverter. I wish they were as that is where we plug our cell phones into to recharge them at night. When dry camping, we have to plug them by the sink or in the bathroom.

The converter changes 110 volts AC to 12 volt DC that will charge your house batteries when you are plugged in. The overhead lights run off the house batteries. The converter is built into the panel with the circuit breakers and the 12 volt house fuses.

Thanks,Tom, for the information. However, I understand that the inverter still draws the batteries down even if the inverter switch is turned off. If that is the case, then I am still wondering how to disconnect the inverter while dry camping?

Less than your dash radio draws down the engine battery. So start your engine once a day and run it for two to three minutes to recharge all your batteries or run your generator for 30 minutes a day every other day. It seems like you are worrying to much and need to just start enjoying your motorhome more. Then you can worry about what mod to do next. 

....inverter still draws the batteries down even if the inverter switch is turned off.

On my 2007 with Tripp-Lite inverter.  It could be the same on your 2009.  There are 3 ways to turn off your inverter.  Two methods kill the inveter completely, one partially.

1) The main kill switch by the entry door - Turning this switch off kills 100% of the RV 12v system including the inverter.  There is no power drain.  No lights or anything else will function.  This switch should never be used when camping because it also kills the fridge regardless of which mode it is opperating under.  Use that kill switch and your food will spoil.

2) The switch physically located on the inverter itself - Turning this switch off, kills the inverter 100%, but keeps 12v opperations functioning as normal.  All lights, exhaust fans, etc still work.  I use this switch when leaving the motor home for the day.  There is NO power draw from the inverter this way.  Unfortunately the switch is not convenient to get to.

3) The Tripp-Lite control panel switch mounted under the fridge - In my opinion, this switch is pretty much useless.  With the phone jack plugged into it's backside, the inverter always draws 12-amps sitting idle which is rediculous.  It's only benefit is to always have 110v available which is fine for people who hop from one RV park to another.  But for primitive campers like me, this is NOT good.  With the phone jack unplugged and inverter turned off using the Tripp-Lite control panel, it still draws 1-amp just sitting idle.  I want zero draw so I turn on the inverter using the switch on the inverter, only under the following conditions.  1) when I need 110v  2) when plugged into shore power to charge the batteries  3) when generator is running to charge the batteries.

I think PC-USA switched to the later inverter to eliminate this saga.

Thanks Tom And Ron.  The reason I am questioning the inverter is that the coach batteries go dead within 24 to 36 hours when the coach sits with the storage switch on.  This is a much faster disharge compared to my previous units  The batteries stayed charged for over two months in the cold MN winter with the storage switch off.

That sounds about right, the batteries going dead when leaving the storage switch on.  It sounds like they are going dead quicker than they should but maybe the batteries need a full slow re-charge for them to last longer.  Charge the batteries slowly to a full charge, then hit the kill switch by the main entry door.  The batteries if still in good functional condition, should retain their charge for a good long time.

I had one battery go bad on me a couple years into ownership.  I replaced both with larger ones from Wal-Mart.  With my main kill swtich turned off, my batteries hold a good charge for multiple months.  My PC is stored in a heated garage which does help too. Stored outside, they should still hold a decent charge for a month or more.