Smoky Xantrex

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by sfchallenger

I asked about isolation because of the odd side effect when I put a load on the inverter and in resulted in it freaking out. I imagine I could wire up a source selector fairly easily, even a series of toggle switches could do the trick I think.

You need a new one. The instruction manual clearly says to never run AC through an inverter without a source selector switch. Either dockside AC or inveter, but never both at the same time. While Xantrex support is sloppy at best with equipment that they purchased when they bought out other companies (like Link equipment from Cruising Concepts, and Heart Freedom combined I/C units), they know pretty much about their own stuff -- maybe...

[mitiempo]

Stu

Depends on the inverter. Most large ones, like the Freedoms from Xantrex and the HF series as well as all the inverter/chargers have an automatic transfer switch. The AC goes through the inverter and when it senses shore power it shuts off, when shore power is not present it inverts again. Selector switches are not needed when used this way. However, when trying to isolate the inverter a source selector is required - there cannot be a possibility of both shore power and inverter output feeding a panel at the same time.

[Stu Jackson]

Brian, I agree. Seems from the OP that it's not a combined I/C, since he said 1800 watt inverter. The Freedom combined units don't come in that size, but the individual separate inverters do.

[mitiempo]

Stu

No, not an inverter/charger, but the shorepower did pass through the inverter originally according to the first post. The op's concern is that this is harder on an inverter somehow so he wanted one without this feature to keep the inverter on a separate switch. The convenience of automatic switching between shorepower and inverter through the inverter's transfer switch is something I would want.

[Stu Jackson]

One Xantrex 1800 comes with an optional transfer switch "which must be ordered prior to purchase...if there are receptacle outlets on the front of the unit it does not have the auto transfer switch." http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Pow...1_Rev-B%29.pdf

My reply #11 may have been incorrect, 'cuz it was based on an assumption of what he has.

We simply do not know what he has from his description. I just didn't understand the "run the AC thru the inverter" until I read this manual.


Is there any unfair strain placed on the unit by running shore power through? Any advantage to adding isolation switching?

Unfair strain? Can't be, either it's designed to do it or not, it's electrical.

Advantage in adding switching? If it's necessary, yes, and won't work if it is required.

[hellosailor]

h-
"Is this thing user-serviceable at all?"
Everything is user serviceable. Or not, depending on the user.

If you have some electronics experience, by all means, make sure the unit is disconnected from all power, open it up, and check/discharge any capacitors in it, just in case they're carrying 120VAC. If you don't know how to do that, then no, don't even open it up, inverters can carry lethal voltage. Odds are that yours is discharged, but why press your luck?

If you do open it up, yes, look for the burn marks. I have literally seen roaches get into things, shorting them out and causing damage. And capacitors are infamous for leaking. Then there's the diode that simply exploded on a computer board in my computer once upon a time, scared the crap out of me. Yes, there was black burn marks and a vacant space where the diode used to be, made it easy to complain.

Of course, if you don't have a schematic and don't understand the circuits, it is still real easy to replace something and ZAP! have it blow up again. Kinda depends on how adventurous you are. How fast you'd like a working inverter. How much free time you have.

And whether you keep an extinguisher and safety goggles on your workbench. :-)

[mitiempo]

Stu

In his first post he stated that "AC shore power was previously run through the inverter."

Most quality inverters I have seen have built-in transfer switches. Below are excerpts from the manual for the Xantrex XM 1000/1800 inverter which is not a charger.

[arf145]

Originally Posted by SlowButSteady

1) Electricity is really just smoke, trapped in wires.

Good one!