reduced voltage on inverter

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 18:39
ThreadID: 67905 Views:1774 Replies:3 FollowUps:6
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just back from a camping trip where all of a sudden the light (fleuro) started to flicker. Checked the voltage and its only putting out 170 to 180 volts and flutters sometimes down to 145. has anyone seen them do this before and if so what was the cause. While doing this it also has a slight buzzing noise where it usually makes no noise at all. Only 12mnths old thought I would check for a dry joint somewhere. What do you guys reckon.
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Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 18:50

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 18:50
Try the 12 volt side first.. probably low voltage / bad connection somewhere. If the input is fine, including the battery itself, then you have a crook inverter. Possibly cooked electronics. Did you overload it? As a general rule of thumb... max continuous load is 75% of max output. Usually max output is only for very short periods of time.
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AnswerID: 359843

Follow Up By: howesy - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:41

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:41
Everything on battery side fine and never overloaded the heaviest load ever was an 80W soldering iron and its a 1200W peak 2200W inverter.
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FollowupID: 627826

Reply By: Ianw - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:34

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:34
Are you using a true RMS voltmeter ?? Is the inverter modified sine wave? Flouro lights do not like MSW inverters and can fail early. MSW inverters do not put out a true sine wave and cannot be tested accurately with an ordinary Voltmeter.

Ian
AnswerID: 359869

Reply By: Ianw - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:35

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:35
Are you using a true RMS voltmeter ?? Is the inverter modified sine wave? Flouro lights do not like MSW inverters and can fail early. MSW inverters do not put out a true sine wave and cannot be tested accurately with an ordinary Voltmeter.

Ian
AnswerID: 359870

Follow Up By: howesy - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:42

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:42
its a modified sine wave
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FollowupID: 627827

Follow Up By: howesy - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:44

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:44
Will try it on something else tomorrow in case its the early globe failure but the globe would have only had approx. 6 to 8 hrs use.
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FollowupID: 627828

Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:52

Thursday, Apr 16, 2009 at 20:52
I'd say you are lucky to get 6 to 8 hours !!

Ian
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FollowupID: 627829

Follow Up By: stevesub - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 06:35

Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 06:35
We have used the same 240VAC fluros from a modified sine wave inverter for years and never had to replace one yet.

Ours is an olde Dick S 150W inverter and has been very useful for laptops, light, small TV and charging batteries for cameras and GPS.

Stevesub
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FollowupID: 627873

Follow Up By: Ianw - Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 17:54

Saturday, Apr 18, 2009 at 17:54
yep, you've been lucky !!!

Ian
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FollowupID: 628040

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