Inverter problem - help required

[allsorts]

Next time it beeps keep the items switched on, but switch off the inverter then switch it back on.See if that does it.

Sounds like an overload alarm.

[noobrider]

no problem with the hijacks, I think all info regarding inverters is useful as its a little covered subject and can be a bit of a minefield.

My experiences with Maplins have generally been pretty good ones with reasonably well informed sales people. No real complaints except their prices on computer gear are way over the top.

I like the idea of 2 inverters on separate circuits. Good back up plan and something I did consider. I think the thing that suprised me is when you see pictures of inverters on the web you expect to get this big heavy box like some 1000w amp but when you get it its a tiny lightweight box and seems an awful lot of money for what you get.

[welshrussell]

Next time it beeps keep the items switched on, but switch off the inverter then switch it back on.See if that does it.

Sounds like an overload alarm.

It was beeping before I had a chance to plug anything into it

I can't say a bad word about Maplins - they've always been really helpful and they did suggest that I could bring the invertor in and they would check to see if it was faulty.

So I won't get my money back or a replacement (no receipt) but at least I can get confirmation if it is a duff one or not

I only want it to run a light, kettle and fan heater off, so will have a look in their catalogue for something like a 500w invertor

[noobrider]

probably better running lights directly off 12v as they will consume less battery power. You might also want to think about upping the wattage for anything that produces heat as they tend to have very high ratings and again really drain batteries.

12v kettles aren't great and I will be using a whistler on the gas stove, as for heaters I would recommend a ceramic 12v heater which can be picked up for about £10 -£15.

Again I have a gas heater that I got from Netto's for £10

[welshrussell]

Cheers for the advice noobrider

To be honest, I might not need an invertor after all.

Like you said, I have a couple of those small caravan strip lights that I use off the leisure battery and I have a whistler kettle for the cooker.

I don't really plan on using the van in the winter wild camping so a heater might not be needed.

I just thought it might have been useful in emergencies, but it would be rare for me to park up anywhere that doesn't have an electric hook up.

I'm still going to take the invertor back to Maplins for them to confirm if it is a dud or not.

[Kerunk]

Guys, looking for a solution to an odd problem.

I have fitted a 500w inverter into the camper to run TV laptop etc from. I have also set up an extension to a double plug socket. This is a very simple circuit and operates just like a standard household extension. The Inverter happily powers the laptop when I plug it directly into the inverter but when I plug the extension into the inverter nothing will run from the plug sockets.

I have checked the plug sockets by running a standard 240v household supply through them and they work just fine. Could it be that the inverter hasn't got enough umph to run the power through the 10ft of extra cabling and associated sockets?

Is there anything I can do to fix the problem?

Did you check to see if the Neutral and Earth were connected properly (correct way round) at both ends of the extension lead?

Cheers,

Rob

[noobrider]

Russell, I have mine for laptop, TV and phone charger really and thats about it.


Kerunk, yep checked the polarity a few times and as I said, if I connect the household mains to the circuit it works just fine. I'm just thinking that the wiring may just have a break or something that the increased amperage etc can bridge but the power from the inverter can't. Just going to replace all the wiring and recheck.

At least I know that the worse case scenario I can plug a normal 4 socket extension into the inverter and it works. Its just a bit more professional if I can use the wall sockets I've installed.

[Kerunk]

Ok, no problem, It's just that if you have Live/Neutral or Earth/Neutral reversed it will give these symptoms when connected to the inverter but will work ok when connected to your house. Some foreign made extension leads can be connected incorrectly (as they don't care too much about quality control!)

Cheers,

Rob

[noobrider]

Still a good tip though for others to check

[bigjohnthomas]

the cables that came with my inverter are thicker than the battery cables and they are doubled up too have welding 600 v on them i wouldn't dare to run the engine with a load on in-case the alternator melted they need to be as short as possible the instructions said

[Deb]

In a previous post in this thread I said that in the instruction manual for my invertor there was no continuous beep code.

Well, I bought a solar kit from maplin this week and a couple of 600w invertors and on Thursday I set it all up to charge one of my 190ah deep cycle batteries. This morning I took it all apart to shift it to a different location in my garden. When I had set it all up in a different place and switched on the invertor .... it beeped a continuos tone!

Then I wriggled the spring clamps that connect the invertor to the battery and it worked as it should. So, my guess is that the continuous tone is for low voltage, either low battery or bad connection, low current cable could have the same effect I guess.

Debs

[Breakdown Biker]

Just a quick one Nick,
Have you tried using it with the engine running and not??

[welshrussell]

In a previous post in this thread I said that in the instruction manual for my invertor there was no continuous beep code.

Well, I bought a solar kit from maplin this week and a couple of 600w invertors and on Thursday I set it all up to charge one of my 190ah deep cycle batteries. This morning I took it all apart to shift it to a different location in my garden. When I had set it all up in a different place and switched on the invertor .... it beeped a continuos tone!

Then I wriggled the spring clamps that connect the invertor to the battery and it worked as it should. So, my guess is that the continuous tone is for low voltage, either low battery or bad connection, low current cable could have the same effect I guess.

Debs

This is what is happening to mine

But the battery reads 12.99volts

When I tried it on someone elses Transit, I got the same thing

Do you think it could be crap crocodile clip style cables that come with the invertor

I'm going to the van tomorrow (Sunday) to get the invertor and take it back to Maplins for them to check it out, but before I do, I'll wiggle the clips.

But somehow, I just don't think this will do it

Oh - the other thing, my leisure battery is an 85amp one, but I thought this would be ok

[bigjohnthomas]

would i be right in saying a deep cycle battery is in fact a leisure battery ?

[welshrussell]

would i be right in saying a deep cycle battery is in fact a leisure battery ?

I hope so because that is my understanding of them - they are the same thing.

But mine is definately a leisure battery, not a starter battery.

Sorry for the crap terminology