Inverter issue

stevewitt1 · June 29, 2012, 08:55:15 AM

I just installed a 2000w inverter. I plug it directly into the shorepower outlet instead of shore power thereby no chance of feedback and no switch needed.

This issue:
When I plug into inverter, then into the boat, the alarm on the inverter goes on and no output. This, inspite of having the main AC switch turned off and all breakers turned off. Inverter works fine with cord and adapter then a shopvac running but goes in alarm when plugged into the boat without any load.

Any help would be appreciated.
Steve
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Stu Jackson · June 29, 2012, 10:26:48 AM

I don't understand why you are "plugging the inverter...into the boat" at all, which is why you are getting the alarm.

If the inverter is not wired into the boat's electrical system, and you're using the receptacles on the inverter for your AC appliances on the boat, then the ONLY connection between the inverter and the boat is the DC wiring from the batteries to the inverter.

Can you describe what you mean by "...When I plug into inverter, then into the boat..." a bit better, 'cuz it sounds like you're doing something wrong. A standalone inverter shouldn't connect to any boat wiring except to the batteries.

Quote from: stevewitt1 on June 29, 2012, 08:55:15 AMI plug it directly into the shorepower outlet instead of shore power thereby no chance of feedback and no switch needed.

Are you saying you plug your inverter output into the shorepower inlet?

If you're trying to avoid "the switch" you seem to be going about it the wrong or in an unusual way.

Why not just use the receptacles on the inverter? No switch required there either.

Ron Hill · June 29, 2012, 05:15:11 PM

Steve : As Stu mentioned - your writeup is somewhat confusing.

It would seem to me - that if your boat is plugged into shore power, and you plug in the new inverter into a boat AC receptacle it should operate just fine when you plug an AC appliance into the plug receptacle on the inverter ?!?

Kyle Ewing · June 29, 2012, 09:22:34 PM

I read Steve is plugging the shore power cable into the inverter to get power to the outlets. It sounds like it works properly when the shop-vac is plugged directly into the inverter but goes into an alarm state with the shore power cable going to the inverter, even with AC breakers off.

Ken Krawford · June 30, 2012, 04:08:09 AM

Steve, by any chance have your tried turning on the main AC switch and one of the receptacle outlets while connected to the shore power inlets?

Stu Jackson · June 30, 2012, 07:30:25 AM

Steve, what specific 2000W inverter did you buy? Am I correct in that you are using the inverter receptacle output to wire this to your shorepower inlet?

Bobg · July 06, 2012, 11:00:52 AM

I think he means he is plugging into the inverter with the other end of the cord to the shorepower recepticale inlet, must have a special cord made up.

I have a cord with a male plug in on both ends, I used to plug one end into the inverter, the other end into a AC outlet, this powers up all the outlets in the boat. BUT on mine, you must unplug this cord before connecting the boat to shore power or without a transfer switch you will blow the inverter. ( I am on my second inverter) and memory slow these days, I don't do it anymore.

TonyP · July 06, 2012, 02:02:08 PM

Quote from: Bobg on July 06, 2012, 11:00:52 AM

I have a cord with a male plug in on both ends, I used to plug one end into the inverter, the other end into a AC outlet, this powers up all the outlets in the boat. BUT on mine, you must unplug this cord before connecting the boat to shore power or without a transfer switch you will blow the inverter. ( I am on my second inverter) and memory slow these days, I don't do it anymore.

Bob
Thank heaven for that

Absolute madness
Tony

stevewitt1 · July 06, 2012, 03:02:36 PM

Tony, What I'm doing is much the same as you with your "double-male" cord. Electricity flows like water, anyway it can. The difference is that my cord goes from the inverter outlet (which is located where it isn't easy to reach) out to the Port coaming box. There I put a female 30A end on it and plug that into the shore power entrance for the boat. The reason I did this was to prevent the very issue you had happen. If I plug in where the shore power does, then only one source can plug in at a time. It has to be EITHER the shore power plug, or the inverter plug.

The problem is that, while the inverter works just fine for my shop vac, it alarms when I plug into the boat even before I turn on the main circuit breaker. Last weekend I used it all weekend to power a small 110V AC fridge I have under the nav station and my TV with separate DVD all plugged into one power strip fed by the inverter.

But for some reason the inverter doesn't like plugging into the boat, hence the question, WHY?

Steve.

TonyP · July 07, 2012, 08:18:46 PM

Steve

Not me with the double male cord. That is Bob (I quoted his post) who I think is asking for death to someone sooner or later.
You seem to be going about it the sensible way. And safer.
Could it be a reverse polarity thing? Just a thought.
I am not electrically trained so no expert.
I would stick to what is working
You will most likely be using the mains power at the dock and your inverter only when out enjoying your boat
cheers matee and good luck with it
Tony

Ted Pounds · July 08, 2012, 05:45:29 AM

Might be because AC and DC grounds tied together? Or maybe a problem with the cord you are using? Just grasping at straws here...

Jim Hardesty · July 08, 2012, 05:54:50 AM

I installed an inverter Xantrex PRO XM1800 a few years ago. Does what I want,microwave,coffee maker, etc. With a few quirks. I think that is the nature of the square wave inverters.
Back to your problem. Do you have a galvanic isolator?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=93737&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50523&subdeptNum=50549&classNum=50555

I'm no expert, but I think one in the loop would be a problem to the inverter.
Jim

stevewitt1 · July 08, 2012, 09:42:02 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I will probably take the slow, methodical approach to this. I'll try isolating the wire from the shorepower receptacle to the panel and check it then. A friend told me he thought I might have a ground fault but all my outlets are downstream from two GFI's. The AC wiring looks rather intense compared to my last two boats (and the last was a 3270 StinkPotter) so I will have to study the manuals schematics (another weak suit of mine.) I know the inverter works fine for my 110V AC fridge under the nav station as well as handle my flatscreen and DVD. The PO hard wired the micro in the Starboard outlet circuit so I may just find the wire and put a plug on it. I'm still hopeful to make my plan work. I'm still happy with the simplicity and low cost of my venture. Every now and then I get a little epiphany on how to do something different.

Steve
I've spent most of my money on boats, airplanes, motorcyles and women; the rest I wasted!

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