Inverter Issues- Anyone else?

[CPLucasMA]

I have a 2015 SC25 with 4 AGM batteries and 1 ProMariner True Power 1500 Inverter. Issues are below. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

1. When I turn on the remote switch for the inverter at the helm, there are 2 led gauges. The DC Input Gauge reads about halfway up.
2. The voltage meter reads approximately 105 volts when the selector switch is turned to Inverter. When I turn the breaker for the power to the AC distribution block, the voltage goes down to 80 volts.
3. When I turn on the microwave (stock from Ranger), or I plug in a small appliance like a blender (800 watts), they both run extremely slow and the DC Input gauge goes almost to 0.

Other Information:

1. Batteries have been replaced and are brand new and charged. Tested with a load tester as well.
2. On my 3rd Inverter.
3. Everything worked fine for about a year.
4. When plugged into shore power, there are no problems using microwave, receptacles, etc.
5. All connections have been cleaned, inspected, and tightened.
6. Inline fuse is good.
7. Swapped out controller at the helm.
8. Grounds are solid.
9. Wiring from batteries to inverter seem to be fine.
10. Wiring from inverter to helm seem fine (of what I can see).
11. No shorts or splices.

Looking to see if anyone else is having issues like me. I'm a Master Electrician and its driving me crazy. Any other thoughts or something I am missing or can try?

 

[Red Raven]

Do you have any other AC breakers turned on? The battery charger and hot water heater must be off and ideally all breakers should be off except the one you need to use.

Try measuring the battery voltage directly with a voltmeter when you turn on your appliance. With the microwave it is normal for it to drop to 11 volts or so due to the high current draw. It should not go to zero though with a new battery!

Also try unplugging the boats AC circuit from the inverter (it should be a standard wall plug you can just unplug from the inverter) and plug in a single small AC appliance or tool directly into the inverter outlet. Then check the battery voltage when you run that appliance. If it all looks good the inverter is good but you have some AC load on the boat loading things down.

Curt

 

[tlkenyon]

I also have a 2015 25sc with the same setup. I will try it our tomorrow and let you know what happens. She has been on line AC for a while, so the batteries are full...

TK

 

[rpmerrill]

I have only used my (four year old) inverter once since I bought the boat last year. No problem that I am aware of.
My reason for posting it to get on the mailing list to see how this comes out, since the whole inverter thing is new to me.

Thanks

 

[sleepyboat]

I do not see any mention of the engine running to keep up with the draw, but you also said you had no problems last year. Had to ask.

 

[tlkenyon]

2015 R25sc

Turn on inverter. When the AC source selector switch is set to "inverter" voltage reads 80. When AC main is turned on, voltage reads 85. When microwave operated, voltage reads 115.

DC input is in middle of range except when microwave started. It then drops momentarily into the red zone and then recovers to mid-range. AC output is unlit until microwave starts, then goes up to about 3/4 scale. OK - 1000 watt microwave on a 1500 watt inverter.

Inverter operation is independent of house battery switch position.

Hope this helps...

TK

 

[BB marine]

I do not have a factory installed inverter. I just installed this Kisae 2000 pure wave inverter. It is hard wired to the factory selector switch. Before I installed it I called Kisae and talked to a service rep. about hard wiring it to the selector that is in the boat. I gave him the model of the switch and explained that it has shore power/inverter/ generator selections. He said he would look into the installation and call me back. His instructions were make sure your neutral is 100% separated from shore power and generator so that it doesn't bleed into the other services. It could destroy the inverter. It could put more load on the inverter. I'm not an electrician so I took his word that this is important. It took me a while with an ohm meter to figure out that switch . There is 36 terminals in the switch. It could very easily be wired wrong. I have pictures of the AC panel/DC Panels with the AC switch to inverter, main Breaker on ,battery switch on inverter on. It shows just under 125V (AC) 13vDC ( I just turned shore power off and had the battery charger on) It dropped to 12.6V DC. I put a bag of popcorn in the microwave and cooked it ,120v AC and 11.8 DC volts while micro was on. It returned to 12.6V DC and AC maintained just above 120V. What you are experiencing seems to be in wiring or bad inverter but if this is your 3rd inverter something is taking them out. Have you confirmed your voltages with a VOM ? Have you looked at the wiring at the selector switch ? Hopefully its something simple. Good luck in your troubleshooting !
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE

 

[bill46]

There is nothing wrong Chris
You have a modifies sine wave inverter, as I do. Will work fine with most anything, but meters read average voltage which will be low with MSW. To measure you need a true RMS meter, good Fluke or other professional, usually over $100.00.
ProMariner 2500 on our 31 reads about 95 with cheap meter, shore power 110 -126 and generator 120.
True RMS meter reads 120 on inverter.
Bill