Help re Inverter supply.

[Emmit]

Hi folks,
I apologise in advance.

I will post the photo and then go onto the laptop to explain my problem.


Here you can see my Inverter set up.

I replaced this inverter before we did our Winter trip and it worked impeccably until, one day, it didn't.
There's no little green light at the 230v end (there's no red lamp lit either)

Today I took a simple voltmeter and connected the 'IN' side of the 200A Fuse Red cable on right with the Black cable entry point of the Inverter.
Result was 13.4ish V

I then connected the ' OUT' side of Fuse to same Black entry cable of Inverter.
It started at 10(ish)v and then disappeared into the sunset reducing down to 3(ish) and disappearing totally.

I can deal (or could deal with angry men on a dark night) but I'll be bu&&ered if I totally understand Electrics.

Would I be right in stating that the Fuse is seemingly FUBARed.
I've switched it off and on several times but with no seeming effect.

Your comments would be welcome.

 

[Lenny HB]

Well I did have a photo until I refreshed the page.

One of two things:
The inverter is
Or your batteries are

 

[Emmit]

Well I did have a photo until I refreshed the page.

One of two things:
The inverter is
Or your batteries are

Our illustrious leader thinks he controls this site.
He didn't reckon on my ability to really F things up with the click of a rodent. Its back up now, Thank you.

 

[Emmit]

Lenny,
Can you please explain why you think your thoughts.
The batteries are all right and continue to work and did so after the Inverter stopped, even though we were off grid in Northern France in February.

I don't understand your reasoning re the inverter.
If there is a 'disappearing' voltage on the OUT side of the Fuse, does that not indicate that it isn't supplying electricity ie the fuse is in the OFF permanently (even though its switched on, (faulty connection etc)

 

[Richard n Ann]

Breaker is boloxed ?

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[Richard n Ann]

That's disappointing too because it's the same make as our breaker and I thought they were good quality ? maybe it's a one off.

 

[funflair]

I second the breaker theory, nowt wrong with batteries.

Martin

 

[Richard n Ann]

Lenny,
Can you please explain why you think your thoughts.

You edited the words in after and I dare bet Lenny hadn't read them ??

 

[Twincam Escort]

Could be the breaker but it could also be a voltage drop in the inverter.
Disconnect the red and black tails at the input to the inverter and try your measurements again.
Be careful not to short the tails.

 

[Richard n Ann]

What do you run off the inverter?

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[Richard n Ann]

Could be the breaker but it could also be a voltage drop in the inverter.
Disconnect the red and black tails at the input to the inverter and try your measurements again.
Be careful not to short the tails.

Most unlikely the inverter can draw a maximum of 83 amps so it shouldn't be able to damage the breaker. Not impossible though, the inverter could be short circuited, and damaged the breaker.
If you want to make sure fit a new breaker or temporary fuse and test run the inverter. ?

 

[Emmit]

What do you run off the inverter?

Nothing onerous in terms of watts. We only had a 300/600w prior to this and only have one solar panel at present. The fuse and the cabling are new fits post fitting this inverter. As you can see, the 'travel of the cable is minimal and the fuse is/ or supposed to be up to the job.

The inverter was a gift from my BIL in Oz and I intend to use the inverter more off grid after I've fitted a second panel.

Back into the van I go and further test.

 

[Emmit]

Most unlikely the inverter can draw a maximum of 83 amps so it shouldn't be able to damage the breaker. Not impossible though, the inverter could be short circuited, and damaged the breaker.
If you want to make sure fit a new breaker or temporary fuse and test run the inverter. ?

Watts(sic) a temporary fuse. A 6" nail or a 2" screw LOLi

 

[Emmit]

Breaker, breaker.
It was the fuse.
Thanks to all readers and apologies to Lenny HB for sabotaging his attempt to help.

 

[Lenny HB]

You edited the words in after and I dare bet Lenny hadn't read them ??

Been cleaning the van roof for the last 3 hours, last post was during a tea break.

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[Lenny HB]

Lenny,
Can you please explain why you think your thoughts.
The batteries are all right and continue to work and did so after the Inverter stopped, even though we were off grid in Northern France in February.

I don't understand your reasoning re the inverter.
If there is a 'disappearing' voltage on the OUT side of the Fuse, does that not indicate that it isn't supplying electricity ie the fuse is in the OFF permanently (even though its switched on, (faulty connection etc)

Are you saying the voltage is OK at the batteries, if so it's got to be the breaker. If the contacts are carboned up it could be high resistance so you can't draw much current throught it.

 

[Emmit]

Are you saying the voltage is OK at the batteries, if so it's got to be the breaker. If the contacts are carboned up it could be high resistance so you can't draw much current throught it.

As the fuse is a sealed unit? (at least I think it is), it looks it, I'm going down the route of new fuse.

 

[tonyidle]

Just a thought - a re-settable fuse is a luxury that shouldn't be required in that situation and adds a failure point. I would use one of these:

............ or similar. Attach one end directly to the inverter +ve terminal and the other to the terminal already on your cable. No additional terminal or internal gubbins to corrode / overheat / fail.

 

[Raul]

I would not use one of the breakers from the photo. They are unreliable and are thermal brake mechanism that fail. Some trip at double rated power because are so poor designed. If you really want a DC beaker, then use a proper midnite approved device; I still prefer a NH fuse for that kind of power.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Our breaker is just used as a switch to isolate the 150w solar panel, that's only 7.8 amps and it's a 60amp breaker so hopefully the contacts will be ok for a while ?

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