Inverter fried when generator started

[robertglines1]

Is this a common problem with power transfer switch delay? Looked like it was hit by a bolt of lightning .

[white-eagle]

Couldn't be that common or no one would have transfer switches.  sounds more like a bad transfer switch to begin with, or mis-wired somewhere.  The delay is not that long usually, and even if it was, why would that cause it to blow up.  it just wouldn't use any a/c.  or did i misunderstand?

Sorry it happened though.

[robertglines1]

Happened to a friends 2002 Allegro Bus (S&s) Xantrex said it was his fault because he started the gen set before he cut power from converter. They blamed it on the transfer switch delay. Didn't make sense to me so that's why I posted?I have two inverters I'm going to use on this project. Don't want to toast them.

[Chopper Scott]

Sure has been a lot of posts with inverter probs as of late. I'm wondering if they are really worth the trouble. For me they sure wouldn't be.

[PP]

Sure has been a lot of posts with inverter probs as of late. I'm wondering if they are really worth the trouble. For me they sure wouldn't be.

Hey Scott,
Got caught in an electrical storm nite before last and the power went out. It came back on before the genny did, but because the inverter kicked in even quicker, the wife's TV program didn't even hickup. I couldn't imagine life without an inverter LOL But that's just me We all have our priorities......

[Jerry32]

mabe the problem is with generators not inverters as mine still work after several years and I don't have a generator. My feeling is you should only have a DC generator to charge batteries and run the inverter all  the time. Jerry

[Seayfam]

I don't think it is a inverter problem, I think it is a Xantrex problem... I have two inverters in my bus, one is a Heart Interface Freedom 25 the other one was the Xantrex Prosine 3.0   The Freedom 25 is over ten years old with no problems. The Xantrex is 18 month's old and only has two of actual use before it cooked. I just bought a new inverter in Anchorage Ak. yesterday. I went to four different dealers and three of them had nothing good to say about Xantrex. The fourth dealer just got started, so I don't think he has seen enough of them come back yet. I bought the OutBack and the dealer said the only Xantrex I will see in his store is the fried ones his customers gave him when they bought a different brand. He sells the Magnum and the OutBack and says he never has to work on the OutBack.

Also, I don't think I could go without a inverter, especially after having one.
Just my two cents

Gary

[David Anderson]

I have a Todd auto transfer switch.  They are no longer in business.  I still use it but wonder if the complexity is worth the trouble.  You can't go wrong if you have a shore power plug and genny plug with a manual switch, (your right hand plugging it in the appropriate hole).  The inverter will always pick up the load when the power fails regardless of the source.  My Trace gets confused if it switches power from input 1 to input 2 if both have power on because there is not enough delay between switching.  It will just blink error until I reset the inverter.

From what I've read of the posts about Xantrax lately it seems that product is really poorly made and has no protection from any goofs by its user or other circumstances and has zero support from its company.   It's ashamed Trace is no longer in business.  I've been really pleased with mine for the past 10 years.



David

[white-eagle]

Bob, i don't understand where the transfer switch is on your inverter i guess.  i have an Freedom inverter/charger that auto switches from A/C to inverter, or inverter to A/C with its own internal transfer switch.  The genset has a 2 min warmup before it kicks in so that its up to speed and ready.  The inverter switch is almost instantaneous.  you don't know that it occurred unless you look at the little idiot light on the remote and see that it is on A/C with invert on standby.

so somehow the A/C feed from your genset feeds into your elec panel at the same place as the inverter through a transfer switch that is supposed to feed either from the inverter or A/C?  And they are saying the transfer switch left power from the genset to backfeed to the inverter?  so how do you turn the inverter off to make sure it's not on?  sounds to me like you need a better transfer switch.

[Ace]

I have a manual transfer switch for changing from shore power to generator. Been working great since Jack conrad installed it. My inverter has to be manually turned on and off though and only time I used it was when dry camping and too late for generator use.
Still works good and just noticed my house batteries are dated 04...hmm

[TomC]

The simpler the system, the less likely hood of failure.  Like Ace, I have a manual transfer switch.  In 16 years, nothing has gone wrong.  The KISS theory is what I go by. Good Luck, TomC

[Van]

Right now we are currently using the Murphy system, one box from the Gen, 1 from the inverter, so that there is no mistake. We are either plugged in to the Gen, inverter or the pole. I do like the idea of a manual transfer switch, does any one have some links or is this something I can purchase from the box stores?

[luvrbus]

Van, I have some Todd change overs  in the shop you will need to find them lol


good luck

[happycamperbrat]

Xantrex used to be a good name, but I read that there was a partnership split awhile back and some of the people started making the magnums. It would seem that Xantrex went downhill with this split, but magnums are good and outbacks (from what others say) is outstanding! Im looking around for a deal on an inverter, but Im staying clear of newer Xantrexes.......

[chart1]

FYI.. I was just at rv surplus in Elkhart Indiana they had a 2000w Magnum for 400.00 on the shelf if anybody is interested.
www.factoryrvsurplus.com   (800) 325-1461
I have no intrest here just seen it on the shelf.