How do I run power to the 12v circuits when running an inverter?

[doc74ormor]

I am running an Aims pure sine wave 3000w inverter. I have the shore line cable and generator going into an automatic switch, the automatic switch going to the AC input on the inverter and the AC output from the inverter going to the AC distribution panel. My question is this. Since there is no DC output coming from the inverter, do I run lines to the 12v fuse block to power the 12v circuits from the 12v input terminals of the inverter?

[Altabus]

Why not run a line right from your coach battery to your DC fuse block?

[doc74ormor]

By the coach batteries do you mean the batteries used to start the bus or do you mean the battery bank that powers the inverter? I don't want to run stuff like 12v exhaust fans, water pump, furnace blower or interior lights off the starter batteries. I want to run them off the deep cycle battery bank. So, would running lines to a 12v distribution fuse block off the same terminals that the battery bank cables connect to on the inverter be correct?

[porkchopsandwiches]

Originally Posted by doc74ormor

By the coach batteries do you mean the batteries used to start the bus or do you mean the battery bank that powers the inverter? I don't want to run stuff like 12v exhaust fans, water pump, furnace blower or interior lights off the starter batteries. I want to run them off the deep cycle battery bank. So, would running lines to a 12v distribution fuse block off the same terminals that the battery bank cables connect to on the inverter be correct?

Yes. Run a fat cable from the house batteries (same that go to inverter) to the DC block, wherever that is on your bus.

[doc74ormor]

I sincerely appreciate all the help.

[roach711]

Definitely run your "house" 12V loads off the deep cycle battery bank and leave the chassis batteries for starting the beast.

An INverter changes 12v battery power to 120v AC power. A CONverter changes 120v AC to 12v DC power.

SOP is to run a short, fairly large diameter cable between the battery bank and the inverter. Check your inverter manual for the correct size.

Many here have all their 12v circuits (including the inverter) connected to a heavy bus bar and the bus bar connected to the house bank by a nice fat battery cable. The bus bar makes attaching all those circuits much easier.

[superdave]

you can get a fuse block to hook all your 12 v things to.