Why You Shouldn't Loop Your Inverter to Your Converter

Updated 12/06/2024 | Published 12/05/2024

Question:

I currently have a progressive dynamics converter that charges my battery when powered from shore power. If i get this PD64FR and run 110 thru it to power the 110 converter and the camper what happens to the 12v charging wire from the converter for the battery when running the inverter off of the battery? Essentially the battery would power the inverter the inverter powers the converter then 12v will go back into the battery creating a loop. Is this ok?

asked by: Anthony C

Expert Reply:

Hello Anthony,

I get what you are trying to do, but it's not a good idea, here is a couple of reasons why:

-By creating this loop you will drain your battery too quickly. The converter charges the battery by taking AC power (shore power) and converting it to DC power, then the inverter will take the DC battery power and it turns it into AC power so it can power your appliances, if you loop it then you are using your battery power to power your converter just to send some power back to the battery.

-It can also cause an overload which can be damaging. The converter might not be able to handle the power that is coming from the inverter especially if the battery voltage fluctuates. The Inverter could also struggle if the converter is trying to draw more power than the inverter can supply.

-It can also cause wear and tear on both as they could overheat and if they are constantly cycling each other.

With that being said, the Progressive Dynamics 2000 Watt Inverter w/ Transfer Switch # PD64FR has an automatic transfer switch so it automatically knows to use the battery power when you are not hooked up to shore power and visa versa.

expert reply by: Kate F

Anthony C.

12/5/2024

Ok I am not “trying to do this” This is how your web site shows to hook these two up. The shore power into the inverter/switch then out to the converter then out to the camper. If you do not hook up the charging wire from the converter how do you charge the batteries?

Kate F.

12/6/2024

@AnthonyC I'm sorry, I thought you were trying to cycle them off of each other by creating a loop per say. The Progressive Dynamics 2000 Watt Inverter w/ Transfer Switch # PD64FR has an automatic transfer switch. Yes, your converter will be hooked up to the batteries to charge them, the inverter will also be hooked up to the batteries, when you are not hooked up to shore power the # PD64FR will know to take the DC battery power and turn it into AC power to power your electronics. So either one or the other is working, they do not run at the same time, or that would be a loop.