Remote On/Off Switch for Inverter

[Lin]

I do not have a remote panel for my Trace U2512SB inverter (Somehow, I always call it an SW2512, but it's not).  Although that panel would be nice, what I really would like is just a way to turn in on and off from inside.  I have not been able to find the original parts that would do this.  Is there any simple, homemade way to just have a remote on/off switch?

[john9861]

You can tap into the wires before & after the switch on the inverter & run the wires to the spot you want the other switch. Then you will have 2 switches. Either one will turn it on or off.

[Lin]

Thanks for the suggestion.  The trouble with that is that the on/off button is not really even a switch--just a little button on a circuit board that sends a signal to some other component to turn the device on.

[DMoedave]

Do you have a phone jack outlet on the invertor? thats what feeds our remote (different unit)

[Lin]

No telephone jack, but it does have a 26 pin Com Port.  I have a ribbon cable that fits it and goes to a cover with a circuit board that has another 26 pin port out and a 14 pin port out.  I don't want to do some clumsy experimentation though and risk damaging the inverter.  I was hoping someone would have an external solution.

[FloridaCliff]

Lin,

Hopefully someone will chime in with the pin out for that plug.

Most likely you will just have to complete the circuit via the pin out to energize.

But I agree, no place for an experiment....too much moola.

Cliff

[David Anderson]

Lin,

Give this place a call:

http://www.inverterservicecenter.com/index.asp

David

[luvrbus]

Lin, call the guy at AZ wind and sun he helped me build one or ask on his forum if I recall it wired into the box where the ribbon cable attached from the inverter 



good luck

[eagle19952]

HEADS UP..... Beware....
Here's my story. that ribbon cable needs to be protected.
for whatever reason a mouse got into my wire chase and CHEWED the dang ribbon cable, think salt from handling....it caused my 2512 to FRY BIG TIME.
Somewhere I have that old remote controller, probably will never find it BUT if I do I'll keep you in mind.
The 2512 went in a dumpster in Alvin,TX....

[Lin]

Thanks, I will call both of those vendors to see what they suggest.  I spoke to a guy in Florida that said he could probably rig something up if a sent him the inverter, but that sounds a bit extreme for such an old piece of equipment.

Eagle, You will probably come across it, when there is no reason to want to find it.  Anyway, that's the way it usually goes with me.  Thanks for the rodent alert.

[happycamperbrat]

Ouch! That hurt  Im sorry.... maybe the inverters could be put into wire cages to keep critters out and air in?

[Joe Camper]

Is the a/c breaker panel in the bus and does the power to the inverter come from there if so you could trip the breaker for it. Use that for the switch.

[Joe Camper]

I can't figure why I would ever want to shut it off while we were camping.

The only reason I came up with would be if it overloaded and needed to be reset??

There are a whole slew of other functions and features on the trace remotes besides just being able to turn it on and off you should get it for thoses features you will like it. It is also a nice addition to any control panel.

[Lin]

Thanks Joe,  The original part is #RC 2000.  It is not easily available.  If I camp across one, that would certainly do it.  There can be reasons to turn the inverter off.  For instance, if plugged in to shore power and running up against the service limit, you might not want to take the chance of the system switching to the inverter if the breaker popped.   Basically though, it would just be nice, not necessarily essential, to be able to handle things without having to go out and open a bay.