Inverter low Volt Signal

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 21:21

ThreadID: 41982 Views:2319 Replies:7 FollowUps:10

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On Patrol

Hi all
I purchased a 1500w inverter.
I have recently installed it into my car (mid January) and now get a low voltage warning signal at 12.7(sometimes even on 12.9) Volts.
These voltage's are confirmed by my circuit breaker and volt gauge that the fridge is connected to.
The unit is wired directly to my Deep cycle 100amp battery (6mths old) via top quality 2G battery cables with top quality brass connectors both ends(to reduce the possibility of voltage drop). these cables are approx 3m long and allow the inverter to be installed in the rear of my car.

I cannot run ANYTHING from it, due to this problem. I occurs directly after I turn it on and the fan stops.The signal is a beep beep beep continuously until I turn it off, and before I plug anything into it. I cannot use this inverter at all due to this. Any idea what the problem is????

Thanks in advance, as I will be away from my Puter until tomorrow.

On Patrol

Ps: looked at other treads but nothing seems to match my prob.

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Reply By: Member - jeff M (SA) - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 22:34

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 00:20

Reply By: techo2oz - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 07:11

Reply By: Robin - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 09:44

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 09:44

Hi On Patrol

There is also a less likely type of issue that can cause units like this to fail when run from long leads that is not related to volts drop.

A test I would do would be to run it off a seperate battery and cables and see that it works.

I have a 1500w ebay unit and it will work very well off a small 18AH gell cell using much thinner 8G cable , or course it won't put out full power like this but this should give you an indication that under normal circumstances it should work in a very uncritical installation.

What brand is yours ?

Robin Miller

AnswerID: 219824

Follow Up By: On Patrol - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 16:22

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 16:22

Same as yours Robin, it was your post that made me decide on that unit. All the best advice I had was that I should run as good a cable as possible for such draw, hence 2g cable, the inverter is mounted on my cargo barrier for many reasons (high up away from water ingress, out of sight from prying eyes, ease of access etc..)

So Robin, what is the other possible issue?????
Colin

FollowupID: 480494

Follow Up By: Robin - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 19:39

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 19:39

Hi Colin

The other outside possibility , other than faulty unit is lead inductance.

I have just checked mine and simulated low volts by running it off 2 thin wires of 2mm copper each 3m long, and plugging in a 150w lamp as a load.

My unit ran without issue at 11.4v

I also put it on an almost dead battery 12V and it ran ok without load , and cut out with 150w lamp showing 10.5v

Its seems mine is quite uncritical and reasonable that yours should be the same.

It is easy to open up by taking off the black base plate via 4 screws. There are 7 I think internal fuses and also visible are two trim pots. Might be worth alook round for anything loose.
However don't know if your into electricity and there are dangerous volts inside and as the unit is new its probably better not to touch.

I would still go with my original suggestion of running the unit off a seperate battery via completey different leads (even thins ones).

If it still fails then its probably better to return it.

If I can do anything else let me know

Robin Miller

FollowupID: 480555

Follow Up By: On Patrol - Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 21:38

Monday, Feb 05, 2007 at 21:38

Hi Robin,
Thanks for your help.
I just got an E-mail from watersidetradingco to ask me to post the unit back to them for replacement. They claimed two other units have had the same issue.
I must admit that their response was. They supplied me with a free post address for return and a new unit will be sent by return mail from them.
Colin

FollowupID: 480593