[RE-wrenches] Outback VFX input voltage cycling

R Young solareagle at solareagle.com
Mon Dec 29 23:29:41 PST 2008


Hi Chris,
My answers appear below:

On 29-Dec-08, at 10:41 AM, Christopher Freitas wrote:
> When you tested just the inverter without the generator running –  
> you stated that there was a noticeable flicker every 20 seconds –

THE GENERATOR WAS RUNNING, IT'S JUST THAT I TURNED OFF ALL THE LOADS  
TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST AND I FOUND THAT THE RAPID  
CYCLING OF THE VOLTAGE AT INPUTS QUIT AND THE VOLTAGE STABILIZED AT  
~121V BUT ABOUT EVERY 20 SECONDS, JUST WHEN YOU WOULD EXPECT THE AC- 
IN TO GET PICKED UP BY THE INVERTER THERE WOULD BE AN AUDIBLE CLICK,  
THE VOLTAGE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP TO ABOUT 110V, THEN IMMEDIATELY  
RECOVER TO ~121V. AT NO TIME DID THE AC-IN GET PICKED UP.
>
> When the generator was connected to the inverter – was the varying  
> AC input voltage viewed on a digital test meter or on the MATE’s  
> display?

I WAS MEASURING THE AC INPUT VOLTAGE WITH A FLUKE METER AT THE INPUT  
CONNECTORS ON THE FX.
>
> Is this a 120/240VAC “split phase” generator operating with only  
> one inverter on it?  It is possible that an internal connection in  
> the generators windings has fried due to overloading one output leg  
> of the generator – its similar to a bad solder joint where the  
> voltage is OK until current is pulled and then it opens up.  You  
> might try putting the inverter on the other leg to see if you see  
> the same issue.

THIS IS A POSSIBILITY THAT I WILL LOOK INTO. IT IS RUNNING ON ONE LEG  
OF A 240V GENSET, NOT THE IDEAL SITUATION. I'LL BE PUTTING A PSX240  
ON IT TO BALANCE THE OUTPUT BUT WILL FIRST CHECK TO SEE IF IT WILL  
RUN OK ON THE OTHER LEG BY ITSELF.

>
> Be sure to check the frequency of the generator when seeing issues  
> like this – its often the problem.
>

THAT'S ON THE SHORT LIST, THANKS

Thanks all who have offered suggestions, I'll check back in with  
whatever I find out.

Ron Young
earthright - Solareagle
>
>
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