How Can I Power Off My Converter When I am Using an Extra Inverter Instead of a Generator?

Updated 09/26/2025 | Published 04/24/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Progressive Dynamics 4000 Series RV Converter w/ Charge Wizard and AC/DC Distribution Panel - 60 Amp

(482)

$296.32

Single Rocker Switch - Labeled On/Off - SPST - Black

(20)

$7.60

Question:

Hello, how can I simply disconnect the PD4060 12 volt converter/ charger portion of the PD4060 when using an inverter.? My camper came pre-wired with an automatic transfer switch for a generator, I have installed an inverter instead of the generator, when I power up the inverter the automatic transfer switch relay pulls in and I have 120 volt thru out the camper like I want, but I don’t want to be charging the batteries thru the converter at the same time. Would shutting off the camper main 12 volt disconnect do this? Or is there a fuse/ breaker on the 4060 I could pull/ toggle to disable the converter portion? Thanks for any assistance!!

asked by: Jim G

Expert Reply:

Hello Jim,

It sounds like you’ve done a fantastic job setting up your camper with an inverter, and you’re asking a really smart question. Since your camper has a Progressive Dynamics PD4060, you’re right to want to stop the converter from running when you’re on inverter power. Otherwise, the converter would try to take the 120V made by the inverter and turn it back into 12V to charge the batteries, basically causing a pointless loop that wastes energy and stresses your inverter.

The easiest and quickest way to disable just the converter without affecting the rest of your 12V systems is by pulling the converter fuse. Inside your PD4060’s DC fuse panel, there should be a fuse labeled something like "CONVERTER," and it’s usually a 30-amp fuse. Just pull that fuse out. That way, the converter won’t turn on, but all your 12V lights, water pump, fridge controls, and so on will continue working normally straight from your batteries. It’s a super simple, safe solution, and you can pop that fuse right back in whenever you’re plugged into shore power or using a generator again.

If you want to take it a step further and make things even more convenient, you could install a switch, the JR Products Single Rocker Switch # 37212595 would be perfect for this job. It’s a simple On/Off switch rated for 16 amps at 125 volts AC, which is more than enough for your converter. To install it, you would just cut the black (hot) AC wire going to the converter, connect each end to the terminals on the switch, and mount it somewhere easy to reach. Then, any time you’re switching to inverter power, you can just flip the switch off to disable the converter, and flip it back on later when you want the converter running again.

One important thing to note is you don’t want to use the main 12V battery disconnect to solve this, because that would kill power to your entire 12V system, not just the converter, and you'd lose your lights, fridge, and more. Pulling the fuse or installing the switch are much better solutions that keep everything else in your camper happily running.

What kind of camper are you working on?

expert reply by: Kate F

Kate F.

9/26/2025

Hey Jim, Did you have a chance to pull the converter fuse or install the switch to disable the converter when using your inverter? I'd love to hear how it worked out for you, as it could help others looking to set up their campers in a similar way.