Bullet bitten .... New inverter charger on its way

[MisterB]

I've never really been happy with my current inverter charger, it performs really well but I just don't have the space for it, which is a shame as it has handed everything it's ever been asked to do AND more (powered a 3.2kw kettle when needed ..)

I've gone for another Renogy, this time the 3000w HF and with discount it came in under £400 ... I did look at the Rego but it was more than twice as much ..... I'm hoping I haven't dropped a block ....

 

[PeterCarole29]

That’s good news
If your not keeping the old one let me know

 

[MisterB]

If the new one supplies my carers Dyson Air Wrap then I'll let you know .... The existing one has been brilliant, if I had the space then I would have kept it.
If I was starting from scratch I would have had two underseat lithium's and this inverter, as I would have had space and they would all have been close enough to make it a viable option, but like many people I've added bits as I've gone along.
I just need to test the new one as soon as it arrives and if it doesn't do what I want then it's back in the returns box!!

 

[PeterCarole29]

Thanks I’m looking for one for our swb sprinter as a day van or just an overnight or 2

 

[MisterB]

The new inverter arrived in a massively oversized box .... Had me a little confused as I knew it was smaller than what we've got ... but all's well and will install it later in the week or even weekend ....
Documentation looks good, comes with a proper handbook with diagrams etc so well done Renogy for upping your game!

 

[PeterCarole29]

Pictures please out the box

 

[The Coops]

You still have the problem of passing traffic deciding that standing in front of your portable solar is a good idea as it keeps them in the shade and not overheating or what a great background for shadow puppetry! ( Do you know what it is yet?)

 

[MisterB]

You can see the 'original' PCL inverter charger

and now the 'new' HF inverter charger

You can see the comparison between the two

 

[MisterB]

A quick update .... with a few screenshots of testing

1kw kettle and 600w microwave at the same time

Inverter/charger ON, no EHU and no load. I must say I did expect the power drain to be a bit higher ...

Inverter/charger OFF, no EHU, clearly showing no consumption - which you would expect

I also learnt that the inverter/charger is ALWAYS on when on EHU and the operating switch is set on the remote setting. It threw me for a while as I couldn't work out why it wouldn't turn off before realising that whenever on EHU, the charger automatically starts to charge the battery AND allows automatic pass through to supply 240v. Once the EHU was disconnected, then I could use the remote/screen to turn the inverter on and off as required.

Next test tomorrow will be to reinstall my remote switch as opposed to using the screen. The screen gives good information but I don't need to see it as (a) all I want to do is turn it off or on (b) I don't need any more displays to keep checking (c) the screen is big enough to see all the info, but too big for where I want to control it from (d) I can use the app if I want the screen info.


The big test though was ...will it power the Dyson Air Wrap or send the inverter into fault mode due to the surge ... ??? Well, it passed, so my carer can be happy in the knowledge she can continue blasting hot air whenever she wants (subject to (a) her being angry about something I've done, again, or (b) she needs to dry her hair ...)

Another thing I noticed in the manual (which is surprisingly good).is that it states,

If the grid fails to supply all loads, the battery seamlessly joins in to provide the necessary power .... (Which is a function that the Victron Multiplus offers) I am unable to test that at the moment but if it does then it could be an unexpected bonus! It also has simple N-G bonding, achieved by adding a small screw (they supply two ..) so I've now removed my N-G bonding relay.

It's beginning to look like it was a good purchase for under £400 .....and potentially a rival for the Victron multiplus, if of course it proves it's reliability ??

 

[Raul]

Now you need to test RCD operation, and because its a HF inverter topology, no transformer, it will need type A rcd at minimum, or, gold standard type B rcd for high frequency and smooth DC leakage detection.

 

[The Coops]

A pair of ear defenders would have been a lot cheaper,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just sayin

 

[MisterB]

Now you need to test RCD operation, and because its a HF inverter topology, no transformer, it will need type A rcd at minimum, or, gold standard type B rcd for high frequency and smooth DC leakage detection.

Thanks, I also need to add an RCD or RCBO prior to the inverter. I only have a DP isolator prior to the inverter at the moment. I have an RCBO after the inverter but I need one prior to the inverter according to the regs and advice given in the YouTube channel

 

[Raul]

Yes, you need RCD protection for the EHU incoming, and for the output to loads.

Adding a bit more to the above:
In normal setup no inverter, the input RCD can and does protect the van circuits downstream, as its the only source, no need for a second RCD.
In your case, you have dual supply: EHU - Rcd, and inverter output-rcd. Hence you need a second rcd for the inverter output.

 

[MisterB]

Yes, you need RCD protection for the EHU incoming, and for the output to loads.

I have a AVS30 surge protector prior to the inverter but after the current DP isolator. I'm assuming I leave that in place and install the RCD protection in front of the AVS30 ...

 

[Raul]

I have a AVS30 surge protector prior to the inverter but after the current DP isolator. I'm assuming I leave that in place and install the RCD protection in front of the AVS30 ...

The RCD needs to be first device as power enters the van. It has to be double pole, and it serves as isolator as well. Then anything else after the rcd.

 

[MisterB]

The RCD needs to be first device as power enters the van. It has to be double pole, and it serves as isolator as well. Then anything else after the rcd.

That's what I thought, good to get confirmation though !!

 

[MisterB]

These are my two options for turning on the inverter. The already installed simple switch with neon to show it's on or the larger screen which displays info.

Bearing in mind I've got two victron shunts I can access plus the Renogy app which shows me the inverter settings etc.

I'm sticking with the already installed simple switch for now!

 

[MisterB]

Further update after a few more tests ...

When not on EHU AND if the inverter isn't switched on, I can't turn it on via the app ... as it doesn't 'see' the Bluetooth adapter that comes with the inverter charger. In some ways that makes perfect sense as the Bluetooth adapter needs to get it's power from somewhere .... BUT as there are battery connections why couldn't they have engineered a power take off from the battery to power the Bluetooth adapter?

I was hoping that in the morning, I could turn the inverter on via the app and that would also automatically turn the kettle on if we had left the kettle switch on .. or am I asking too much and I should just get my lazy arse out of bed ... OR do I need to read the manual better ....

 

[The Coops]

I just flick a switch to turn ours on or off, the debate is duvet wars as to who is getting out of bed first ( usually me! )

 

[gus-lopez]

Dyson Air Wrap

Now that has set off an ear worm for the spanish dyson ad.
El nuevo Dyson Cuando 2x......................

 

[MisterB]

I just flick a switch to turn ours on or off, the debate is duvet wars as to who is getting out of bed first ( usually me! )

I am now imagining you jumping out of bed and turning something (or someone) on, unfortunately it's now embedded in my brain and I need to cleanse my mind with vodka flavoured medicine ....

 

[The Coops]

I am now imagining you jumping out of bed and turning something (or someone) on, unfortunately it's now embedded in my brain and I need to cleanse my mind with vodka flavoured medicine ....

Oh you are awful!