Sterling Power inverter/charger problems

[Xoxoc]

Hi all,

I have a Sterling Marine Power combined inverter& charger.

It DID work but now it does not. Well, the charger bit doesn't anyway...can't test the inverter side at the mo'

When I plug the unit into the mains (so that it will charge the batteries) it smells and if I leave it connected it very quickly starts to smoke

I've brought it indoors and took the cover off hoping to see something obviously amiss.

Couldn't see anything. Three internal fuses okay.

So I plugged it in and the 'thing' just behind the inverter switch started to smoke (and smell).

In the attachments it's the large 'thing' at the bottom left of the inside.

Do you know:

1. Whats wrong?
2. What may have caused it?
3. Can it be fixed?
4. Is it worth fixing?

In case it helps it is a 600w continuous modified sine wave inverter and the charger side is rated at 4 amp

Thanks guys :thumb:

Bryan

 

[scotjimland]

Hi all,

I have a Sterling Marine Power combined inverter& charger.

It DID work but now it does not. Well, the charger bit doesn't anyway...can't test the inverter side at the mo'

When I plug the unit into the mains (so that it will charge the batteries) it smells and if I leave it connected it very quickly starts to smoke

I've brought it indoors and took the cover off hoping to see something obviously amiss.

Couldn't see anything. Three internal fuses okay.

So I plugged it in and the 'thing' just behind the inverter switch started to smoke (and smell).

In the attachments it's the large 'thing' at the bottom left of the inside.

Do you know:

1. Whats wrong?
2. What may have caused it?
3. Can it be fixed?
4. Is it worth fixing?

In case it helps it is a 600w continuous modified sine wave inverter and the charger side is rated at 4 amp

Thanks guys :thumb:

Bryan

Hi Bryan

That is a transformer .. by what you say it looks like it's stuffed .. :Sad:

It can be replaced and I would say it is definitely worth while doing ..

Overloading may have caused it to fail, but hard to say

 

[jhorsf]

read this
Magic smoke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Xoxoc]

Thanks Jim.

Do the numbers on it give enough info for me to try and source a new one or do I need to fnd out some magical way what I need to buy?

Bryan

 

[scotjimland]

Hi Bryan ..

any good electrical repair shop should be able to repair it .. mind you, that may be easier said than done.. lots are closing down.

how about contacting Sterling or one of their agents ..?

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[pappajohn]

looking on maplins website its a five quid transformer.....definately worth repairing rather than bining the supply/charger.:thumb:

Link Removed

i reckon the numbers on the label are only of use to the manufacturers or sterling themselves.

 

[hilldweller]

When I plug the unit into the mains (so that it will charge the batteries) it smells and if I leave it connected it very quickly starts to smoke
Bryan

The obvious solution is call Sterling. No-one knows it better than them. They may do a fixed price repair then it will be covered by their warranty.

The part that is smoking is not the one that failed, more than likely one or more of the power transistors had failed and needs replacing as a set.

You may be lucky and a local bodger can fix it but it an expensive piece of kit and worth a good repair.

 

[haganap]

Bryan,,

Sorry to hear about your invertor but I can not prevent myself.



Have you checked the fuses

 

[rolyk]

Sterling have their own repair workshop in Droitwich, Worcestershire. Maybe worth giving them a ring or dropping it off if you're in that part of the country.