Can The Progressive Dynamics PD44FR Inverter Be Installed Without A Subpanel

Updated 06/26/2023 | Published 06/24/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Progressive Dynamics 1800 Watt Inverter w/ Transfer Switch

(129)

$569.87

Go Power Industrial Pure Sine Wave Inverter - GFCI - 1,500 Watt - 12V

(171)

$575.99

Question:

Running only a 120V Residential Fridge with this 1800W Inverter. Could I avoid the sub panel install if I only want to run my refrigerator? I was thinking I could use my existing refrigerator breaker as the AC in for the inverter and then my AC out would go straight to the refrigerator outlet. Does that wiring sound correct?

asked by: Doug H

Expert Reply:

No, the Progressive Dynamics 1800 Watt Inverter w/ Transfer Switch # PD44FR requires a sub panel regardless of what you're powering. The AC circuit breaker you're referencing wouldn't have power unless you were connected to shore power, which would eliminate the need for the inverter anyway. Inverters receive power from the battery and send that to one bus bar to power it and send power through any circuits on it. Without a subpanel you'd just create a power loop and drain the battery.

If you're only wanting to power the refrigerator then you would need to use an inverter like the Go Power Industrial Pure Sine Wave Inverter # 34279950, which you could plug the fridge into. This would require getting behind the fridge and swapping back and forth between the trailer's outlet while connected to shore power or into the inverter when off of shore power.

The best option is going to be installing the # PD44FR and a subpanel to separate the items you want powered while disconnected to shore power. The only way around installing a sub panel would be if your main panel had two separate hot bus bars.

expert reply by: Kevin C