|
04-15-2006, 10:50 PM
|
#1
|
3 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
1968 22' Safari
Tyler
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
|
How much power should it draw?
Today I removed the old Univolt and wired up my new Intelipower 60 with Charge Wizard. At the moment, I have no way to bring shore power to the AS to test it, so I thought that I could take an 800W inverter, attach it to a separate batttery and plug it into the AS to supply the 120V wiring with a few amps for testing purposes. This didn't work--the inverter shut down instantly, as if there were a dead short! Not only that, but after I unplugged the Intelipower unit and tried again it shut down as before. To my knowledge, no 120V appliances are turned on. Everything on 12V still works fine.
Is this just a question of more power needed? Do I have trouble I don't know about? Comments, please!
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 10:57 PM
|
#2
|
418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince Brach
Today I removed the old Univolt and wired up my new Intelipower 60 with Charge Wizard. At the moment, I have no way to bring shore power to the AS to test it, so I thought that I could take an 800W inverter, attach it to a separate batttery and plug it into the AS to supply the 120V wiring with a few amps for testing purposes. This didn't work--the inverter shut down instantly, as if there were a dead short! Not only that, but after I unplugged the Intelipower unit and tried again it shut down as before. To my knowledge, no 120V appliances are turned on. Everything on 12V still works fine.
Is this just a question of more power needed? Do I have trouble I don't know about? Comments, please!
|
Not sure about the inverter you're using, but my Intellipower makes a pretty good sized spark when plugging in to a 30A 120v outlet, with no load applied, just hooked to batteries. Maybe it has a startup surge greater than what your converter can handle.
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 06:23 AM
|
#3
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
If you can use a small generator, the Intellipower will work on standard household 15 amp service. A Honda E1000 would be more than adequate for this, if you have one.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 06:58 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
|
Vince,
Is it possible the battery that powers the inverter is dropping too low, and the inverter is just shutting off due to low voltage?
BTW, love your user title.
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 07:05 AM
|
#5
|
3 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
1968 22' Safari
Tyler
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
Vince,
Is it possible the battery that powers the inverter is dropping too low, and the inverter is just shutting off due to low voltage?
|
No, because this setup powers an electric drill and other fairly high-wattage devices just fine. The problem is limited to plugging the trailer power plug into the inverter--and note, the shutdown occurs whether or not the Intelipower unit is plugged in to the "patio plug" in the curbside compartment.
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 09:39 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2001 34' Limited
The State of
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,605
|
Some things that would otherwise run off an inverter can shut it down on initial connection or power-up. That includes, for example, a TV with a degaussing coil. I don't know for sure, but suspect the Intellipower has a pretty healthy filter capacitor on the 12VDC side that is charging up on power-up, and that would happen whether the batteries are connected or not. That would appear as a dead short to the inverter initially.
__________________
Maurice
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 05:27 PM
|
#7
|
3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
2005 22' Interstate
Afton
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 226
|
Some inverters do not generate a sine wave, which is what you get from the power company's AC line. The univolt replacement could require a sine wave input for proper operation.
The other explanation has been mentioned, surge current creating a "brownout" dip in voltage from your inverter. Have you used a voltmeter to verify that the inverter is generating 120VAC throughout its cycle from no load to loaded by the unit?
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 09:09 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by herrgirdner
Some inverters do not generate a sine wave, which is what you get from the power company's AC line. The univolt replacement could require a sine wave input for proper operation.
The other explanation has been mentioned, surge current creating a "brownout" dip in voltage from your inverter. Have you used a voltmeter to verify that the inverter is generating 120VAC throughout its cycle from no load to loaded by the unit?
|
On that subject, be sure to use an RMS type voltmeter. Anything else will not give you a true reading of the AC voltage.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|