[RE-wrenches] Magnum inverters (not really a power factor issue)

[Matt Tritt]

Good point, Darryl. The resting DC volts were only at 51.6 according to 
the Magnum meter, kind of on the low side. I was not able to measure any 
sag on the DC side because there wuz only one of me and I ain't Plastic 
Man. I bet that the inverter you measued the 60 Hz on the DC side was an 
SW, right? They all have an odd ability to loosen the DC inverter cables 
over time because of this harmonic vibe, especially the Al lugs they 
used to use back in the day. I had several problems with tripping (no, 
not that kind) breakers before I changes to better cable lugs.

Matt


Darryl Thayer wrote:

>Don't know if this will help, but an experiance of mine on starting a large motor, using a battery and inverter.  The motor would not start, or if it did if would quit in 10, or 20 min.  The battery had capacity to run the motor for 5 or 6 hrs to 50% DoD yet the inverter would kick out.  I had reason to beleive the output wave form was bad also.  I solved the problem by greatly increasing the battery size and the cables.  I did not change the inverter at all.  
>
>What I think was happening is the high current draw of the inverter to serve the load reduced the battery voltage, but not just the average battery voltage but the 60 cycle peak voltage drop/ of the battery.  The load of the inverter on the battery is like pulses, my amp clamp shows an AC current on the battery leads.  If I had a scope, I would guess the inverter is seeing a fluxuating voltage on the battery.  My grandson has a 1 Farad Capacitor in his sterio system, perhaps this would fix the problem.  BoB what do you think?
>Darryl
>
>--- On Sat, 8/1/09, boB Gudgel <boB at midnitesolar.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>From: boB Gudgel <boB at midnitesolar.com>
>>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Magnum inverters (not really a power factor issue)
>>To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6:22 PM
>>Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar
>>wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Hey Matt, 
>>>I sure wish their techie's would get to the bottom of
>>>      
>>>
>>it. I am getting gun-shy about selling Magnum and they are
>>about the best available for small 12 volt systems. I have
>>spend hours trying to solve the problem. My customer is
>>still not a happy camper.
>>    
>>
>>>Larry Crutcher
>>>Starlight Solar
>>>(928) 941-1660
>>>Renewable Energy Products, Service and Installation
>>>      
>>>
>>Can you get someone to look at the voltage and/or current
>>going into that pump ??   Scope
>>?   Meter ?  Even a
>>power factor meter would have both voltage and current
>>measurements.  Some even have a mediocre scope built
>>in.
>>A scope AND a meter is best of course.
>>
>>Need  stats.  AC an DC side.  AC voltage at
>>the pump and at the inverter.
>>
>>Must have more information.    Yes, it ~could~ be
>>a Magnum inverter issue, but need more information other
>>than "it doesn't work"
>>
>>Does the voltage dip when the pump tries to start ? 
>>What is the maximum Ac and DC current ?  Most basic
>>info for troubleshooting.
>>
>>The inverter manufacturer can probably help somewhat if
>>they have this info.
>>
>>Just a suggestion here.
>>
>>boB
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>>>
>>>On Aug 1, 2009, at 4:28 PM, Matt Tritt wrote:
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>I took boB's advice and talked to Magnum about the
>>>>        
>>>>
>>problem. Their take on it? "Hmmm, beats me!" I might be
>>paraphrasing, but that's the drift. All in all, I'd say that
>>the suggestions from the group are at least as good as the
>>one's from the manufacturer.
>>    
>>
>>>>Matt T
>>>>
>>>>Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar wrote:
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>>Don't forget, this is a Magnum inverter and
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>Magnum has issues. I have  two customers with Magnum
>>problems. One is a washer that will work  perfectly on
>>a cheap import inverter; the other has a Vizio TV that 
>>works fine on shore power and generator. Soooo...maybe there
>>are pumps  and other items that are anti-Magnum.
>>    
>>
>>>>>Larry Crutcher
>>>>>Starlight Solar
>>>>>(928) 941-1660
>>>>>Renewable Energy Products, Service and
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>Installation
>>    
>>
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