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Topic: Where is the inverter for the TV located? (Read 396 times) previous topic - next topic
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Where is the inverter for the TV located?
The outlet used for my TV has stopped working and I can't figure out where the inverter for it is located to see if there is a reset button.

Per the invoice I have from the previous owner there is a 400-watt inverter somewhere in this LD. As you can see from the image attached nothing is happening. I also have one of those devices that you can use to touch a wire that will light up if the wire is hot, it will blip on for just a second and then go off.

All other outlets in the LD are working fine.

I have taken these steps to get it going again:

  • Turned the inverter switch on and off multiple times
  • Turned all the breakers inside the RV off and on multiple times
  • Used the reset switch under the fridge multiple times with the inverter switch turned off and with it turned on

Sometimes when I'm driving I will hear a high pitched noise that I can only stop by turning the inverter switch on then off again.

I'm stumped and would be grateful for any suggestions of what I can try next.

BTW, that 12-volt plug you see to the right (with the green light on) only worked with the previous TV which I replaced with a regular TV plugged into the outlet. It doesn't work with any other 12-volt devices plugged into it.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #1 –
Invoice from where?  If this was an after purchase add on (not done by LD) who knows where they put it.
I would take apart your inverter switch, clean it and use some electrical contact cleaner on it (they typically have an ingredient to make a better connection).  Maybe even check the outlet wiring and make sure that is clean and securely attached.  We have had a switch be the problem and yup it was the last thing I checked.  A voltmeter clearly showed the switch (pulled out of the wall) was not working but once the switch was cleaned the voltmeter showed all was well,   Note - take proper precautions when testing / working with live electricity.

Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #2 –
Quote from: debinvenice  - 
The outlet used for my TV has stopped working ...
...
All other outlets in the LD are working fine.
If all but one 110 Volt outlets work when the inverter is on the problem is not the inverter but the outlet. It would also mean that the inverter is connected to "everything 110 Volt" in the motorhome.

Quote
I can't figure out where the inverter for it is located to see if there is a reset button.
A 400 Watt inverter is rather small (like a cigar box or maybe a little bigger). It could be behind the TV, especially if it is only connected to the outlet for the TV.

Otherwise, especially if the inverter is connected to "everything 110 Volt," I would look for it in the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink, underneath that cabinet (behind the power center; for that you have to remove the front facing plywood panel underneath the cabinet), in the cabinet underneath the fridge, behind the driver seat, or in the front most outside storage compartment on the driver side (close to the battery compartment).

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #3 –
In my 2003 midbath, the inverter for the TV was located in a compartment below the refrigerator, w-a-y back in a corner on the right (forward) side. I believe one had to remove a plywood panel to even see it. It was controlled remotely by a switch like the one shown in your photo, and it only fed that one outlet near the TV, so I'm pretty sure you have the same setup I did.

(Tech note: the reason for doing it this way is to keep the heavy-current 12 VDC wiring from batteries to inverter as short as possible, to minimize voltage drop. Voltage drop in the 120 VAC wiring from the inverter back to that outlet in the rear lounge is only one tenth as much per foot due to the higher voltage. And voltage drop in the remote-switch wire is unimportant, because the current is small.)

I second Jane's suggestion to clean the inverter switch's contacts. That could easily be the problem. If not, then it's time to get down on the floor and look into that compartment at the inverter itself.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 

A 400 Watt inverter is rather small (like a cigar box or maybe a little bigger). It could be behind the TV, especially if it is only connected to the outlet for the TV.

Klaus

Definitely not behind the RV in the cabinet. I cleared out that area to put in some future shelving.

When I get to my next location tomorrow, I'll take a look under the sink. Thanks!
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
Invoice from where?  If this was an after purchase add on (not done by LD) who knows where they put it.
I would take apart your inverter switch, clean it and use some electrical contact cleaner on it (they typically have an ingredient to make a better connection).  Maybe even check the outlet wiring and make sure that is clean and securely attached.  We have had a switch be the problem and yup it was the last thing I checked.  A voltmeter clearly showed the switch (pulled out of the wall) was not working but once the switch was cleaned the voltmeter showed all was well,  Note - take proper precautions when testing / working with live electricity.

Jane

The invoice was from the original purchase of the LD and included all the extras. The inverter was installed at the factory.

I'll check the outlet while I'm at my next location. Thanks for the suggestion!
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
In my 2003 midbath, the inverter for the TV was located in a compartment below the refrigerator, w-a-y back in a corner on the right (forward) side. I believe one had to remove a plywood panel to even see it. It was controlled remotely by a switch like the one shown in your photo, and it only fed that one outlet near the TV, so I'm pretty sure you have the same setup I did.

Andy, you may be right. Could this be it (see attached image)?

Thanks!
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
 
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: debinvenice  - 
Could this be it (see attached image)?
This is the inverter. It says "400 WATT INVERTER" in the small print above the "P" from PowerStar.

Checking first the switch, as suggested by Jane, before fiddling with the inverter is probably a good idea.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #8 –
I see this model for sale on eBay for about $40. I'm trying to find the manual online to see if I can reset it. Otherwise, think I can just get a more up to date version. May call the Mothership to see what they are using now.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #9 –
Yup, that's it.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #10 –
Just spoke with the Mothership and they suggested getting Xantrex inverter if I need to replace it.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #12 –
Yes Klaus, I am impressed. No way could I read that text, even after you pointed it out. :D
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #14 –
Klaus, I need a better image editor I guess  ;D  I was just using the preview app that comes free with my apple desktop.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #15 –
I opened it in Photoshop, enlarged it, and applied brightness adjustments to it, and I could still barely make out the text. Klaus has good eyes!
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
I need a better image editor I guess...
Photoshop Elements 2020 is right now only $70 at Amazon, but there are also other, less expensive or even free choices for excellent photo editing software for macOS:  GIMP (free); Pixelmator ($30); GraphicConverter ($40); Affinity Photo ($50).

A good place to get an idea about the quality of such and any other macOS software is macupdate.com.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Where is the inverter for the TV located?
Reply #17 –
Klaus, I tried Gimp.  It was a big improvement but I still couldn't read the text (bottom text was at the guessable stage).  I played with the options to see what I could do, but basically was just increasing the size.
Maybe you have a better graphics set up than I or better eyes or ....

Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.