HELP with inverter/electrical issue

[jordansinthesky]

I have a new, serious problem.  It has to do with the inverter, but I'll start with the problem that I am electrically handicapped, and have almost no understanding of how this bus is set up.  I have a trace 2500 inverter that has the controller inside and is hooked to my bank of four 6v batteries (making 2 12 volt?).  When I am not plugged into shore power, and have the generator off, I get power to the outlets in the coach.  Does this mean that these are just hard wired to the batteries?  Now when I plug in shore power, my trace controller shows 'ac present' and I can run everything with the inverter off or on.  I figured I would run things with it off, keep track of my voltage, and just turn it on as needed to keep the batteries up. ( I am full timing remember).  Wellllll, yesterday morning I woke up to a red error light.  I went and looked at the inverter itself, and it said overload.  So I turned everything off in the bus, and checked.  It still said overload.  I turned the inverter off and went to work.  I get home, and it simply won't turn on now.  The manual says to press the power button twice to reset, but this doesn't work.  I still show 12 V. coming from my batteries, and AC power coming from shore, but the inverter won't turn on, and therefore I'm not getting power to anything.  Is there a way to skip the inverter and just have shore power run everything?   I am totally lost here and could use help.  I'm really hoping I don't need a new inverter, because I am low on $$.  If I do, what are some to look at?  I have a 30 amp coach with basically 2 12V house batteries.  Thanks for reading.

[fe2_o3]

   I'll start by saying I don't know anything about your system. But if it were mine, I would check for a fuse issue. If the battery voltage got to low it could have blown a fuse trying to feed the system.
   Did you get any manuals for the systems? If so check the manual for the inverter, it may help identify the problem...Cable

[buswarrior]

If it won't come back to life using their procedures...

oh dear...

Did you confirm that there is 12 volt DC and 120 volt AC at the unit inputs?

Any neighbours reporting strange electric issues prior to discovering the overload condition?

Yes, you can bypass the inverter with your shore power and generator, but that is hard to explain safely via the internet. In basic terms, re-wiring it to disconnect the inputs to the inverter and attach them to the outputs will do it, if it is wired that way, and if there is proper circuit protection,etc etc etc.

As for what might be wrong with the Trace, where's Sean?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[robertglines1]

Go to main breaker box and turn everything off..then try reset procedure after about 10 minutes.let breakers cool down.. Look for in line fuse. supply to inverter.

[Sean]

In order to effectively help, we need to know what model inverter you have ("Trace" and "2500" are not enough -- Trace made several different 2500-watt models and they all have different procedures).

Also, please measure the battery voltage directly at the inverter's input terminals.

Lastly, you will need to be able to fully disconnect the loads from the inverter in order to properly test things. Ideally you will have a main circuit breaker between the inverter output and the loads, but, failing that, you will need to disconnect each load individually, as Bob suggests.

Is there also a transfer switch involved in your setup?

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[NewbeeMC9]

On my trace4024 there is a resettable breaker on the case.  Also turn the inverter off and disconnect the DC and AC supply and loads to allow it to reset.  You should have breakers and switches on the DC supply lines.  It will also shut off on low battery voltage, possibly set at 12.3 or something like that.

[jordansinthesky]

Hey guys,  sorry I didn't get more specific.  Suffice it to say the problem has been 'fixed'   I am still trying to get more familiar with my electrical system and batteries.  Hopefully I can get everything learned without blowing anything up.  thanks for the help.

[FloridaCliff]

Jordan,

WHAT fixed it?

Cliff

[Joe Camper]

I'll take a stab at it. How about when he went to gen or shore power instead of the inverter going to charge it couldn't cause he turned it off and then they or he proceded to run a bunch of d/c stuff.


He may not know what he does not know.   

[jordansinthesky]

Joe camper pretty much nailed it.  Sorry I haven't been doing this as long as you have.  That's the first time anybody has made me feel bad on this forum    I knew that that was what happened, but I didn't know how to rectify the problem.  I had tried resetting all circuit brakers (coach and on the shore pillar)  But apparently hadn't done it in the right order or something.  Suffice it to say I am more educated now, and am still learning.  Thanks for all that have been patient and helpful to me.

[eddiepotts]

LOL good luck Jordan. It will all come together. You will be surprised on the rapid learning curves your going get with a bus. Just wait until all your batteries are dead from not having water in your tanks and the pump runs because of no pressure. It's just all part of it.

[Joe Camper]

If you were offended Please don't be. You are welcome to return the favor any time Lord knows I earn my share as well.

Something else you need to be aware of that normally occurs with inverter powered accessories with a medium sized inverter such as  2000 and 2500w.

For example if yours is like ours and many others, the power out of the inverter goes to a sub panel with a breaker for each item powered. Like fridge micro toaster outlets ect ect.


Each of these circuts probably has a 15 or 20 amp breaker.  Even thou they are all seporatly protected if you try to run 2 big draws togeather you will overload.

The toaster the the microwave a blow-dryer sometimes the coffee pot if it shoud cycle on during. If you were to run any of these 2 accessories togeather you would overload.


On the inverter itself there will be a breaker too and it is usually a 25 or 30 amp breaker. This is important you need to know how big that is on yours because that is the inverters limit and will dictate how large a load it will flow before you overload and how you need to manage power.

Another important note is when you are on generator or shore the same situation exists you have to manage the loads powered thru the inverter both when it is inverting and when it has a/c power to it or it will overload .

If that is not information overload for you yet If you decide you are too inconvenienced by this situation you can put an inverter by-pass so when you are on gen or shore power can run all those kitchen appliances together just like normal. This is what we did.

Hope this is some useful info and I have redeemed myself with you.