Inverter, to mount or not to mount?
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 16:35
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qldcamper
Well I have just returned
home from WA earlier than planned being unsure if the airlines would continue to operate for the next week and although beating the midnight deadline set by the government have decided to self isolate, reasons being at the
Perth domestic airport there has been no distancing rules abided by except the bars have been closed but lots of people close together in the terminal and aircraft and the chap sitting near me was eating soothers like peanuts all the way here. So lots of unplanned time to work on the CT.
My first question is how do people mount their
inverters?
I have a Redarc 350 watt inverter that I intend to run an electric blanket with for a couple of hours before bed time to take off the shock of getting out of a nice hot shower and into a frozen bed on winter desert evenings, it runs fine with both sides on high and could run all night on the low settings if needed.
Dont really know how rough the ride is in the trailer when on corrugations but I imagine it would be fairly taxing on electronics with heavy components soldered to circuit boards if solid mounted.
I would be interested on hearing how others have mounted them and the orientation, or have you chosen the other option of stowing them till they are being used.
Other question is, being in isolation do you think it is a mistake doing this sort of work? I am not a clumsy worker and for the last decade had safety drummed into me whilst at work, and believe it or not this does sink in and makes you put a lot more thought on how you do things at
home as
well.
But given the circumstances even a slightly worse than average cut that might require a stitch or two could be putting others at risk.
Is it being selfish taking the risk?
Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 17:17
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 17:17
On your last question first, I don't think it is unreasonable to continue DIY stuff if it's within your qualifications and capabilities and no stupid risks are being taken.
Mounting the inverter ...
Inverters have heavy components soldered to the circuit board. Those components may or may not be reinforced with some kind of glue or
putty-like goop.
Some products, when the labels and case appear to be the right way up, have the components hanging down off the circuit board. If you can look in the vents, or partially open the case, look to see which side of the circuit board the heavy/large components are on and then, if the manual allows the orientation, mount it with those components "falling onto the board". Ie, not hanging off it.
Also, if there is no reinforcing goop and you're happy to accept the warranty implications, you could apply some neutral cure silicon or urethane sealer around the base of heavier components so the mechanical loads are not entirely taken by a couple of wires soldered onto the board.
I have done both the above with my inverter and solar regulator. They have done over 100,000km in my off road hybrid, maybe half of that on dirt and corries. All still working.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: qldcamper - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 17:51
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 17:51
Thanks Frank, some good advice there. I would prefer to mount it somewhere permanently so that is isn't another thing that has to be set up on arrival. Maybe next winter we will get to use it.
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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 18:17
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 at 18:17
I understood it was best to mount circuit boards on their edge so that they did not flex and crack the tracks, but I know nothing of this stuff.....
I would also mount the inverter on rubber isolators to remove some shock loadings.
That said, I have an SEA 1300W PSW inverter that is fixed mounted on its side (no idea which orientation the boards are) in the OKA and has survived 250,000km of some of the worst roads you can imagine without drama..... and counting....
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
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