[RE-wrenches] Odd Inverter Problem

[Jay]

Hi dan 

Thanks. 
But the problem occurs with no wires connected to the inverter other than DC power. 

Thx
Jay


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 11, 2016, at 3:46 PM, Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Since you don't name the inverter OEM, I'm just guessing, but.....the ground to neutral bond thing can indeed fry what I call "truck top" AKA "portable" inverters. The puzzling thing in my experience is it can take 6 months......1 month.....1 week......1 second for the failure. Or it might work fine (but not be to code).
> 
> My rule....to connect to a standard AC load panel (no matter how small) the inverter has to have actual hard-wired AC Out terminals...hot, neutral and ground. If the only way to connect it to the house AC system is a 120V AC extension cord with the female end chopped off and hard wired to the load panel, you are asking for trouble and have left NEC far behind. I got well-zapped by one these in the past....
> 
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for: 
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342
> 
>  
> 
>> On Sat, Jun 11, 2016 at 12:58 PM, Travis Jordan <travis at jordansolar.net> wrote:
>> Just a thought, but some of the old or cheap inverters don't take nicely to bonding the ground to neutral. You may try leaving the ground wire disconnected from the inverter for a test and see if that changes anything.... Also make sure you don't have moisture or a short of some sort in your output cable to the house, I got involved with a job once that had normal Romex buried outside and it got wet and caused issues with the inverter not working properly. It ohmed out fine, but when I hooked it up it didn't play nice with the inverter. I would suspect something with the site wiring from what I am understanding from your post. 
>> 
>> Good luck!
>> 
>> Travis Jordan
>> travis at jordansolar.net
>> travis at mtsolar.us
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Travis Jordan
>> travis at jordansolar.net
>> 877-215-8431, Ext. 104
>> Cell: 406-274-1230
>> Jordan Solar
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>> 
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