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Inverters
Topic Started: Saturday 15-05-2010, 20:52 (176 Views)
Jon
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Hi Everyone
Think I have just worked out why my inverters keep blowing up,,,,,but shoosh dont tell Bunnings :D :D :D :D
I need to put a diode in line with the 240v outlet,,so that when i plug into 240v at the caravan park it doesnt feed back into the inverter....
OK all you electronic gurus out there,,,what sort of diode do i get to handle 240v ??? :X :X :X
CHEERS JON
Goanna Gold Adventures WA
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Nightjar
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Hmmm Jon,
You are talking a bit of mumbo jumbo???
Thinking out loud here, "12V/240V Inverter connected to your 12V battery, charged by vehicle alternator or battery charger."
When you connect your caravan up to an external 240V service whether it be the grid or generator this should not interfere with your inverter?
That is of course if you are not plugging a 240V source (Caravan Park or home power) into the "output" of your inverter???
You can't use your inverter as a battery charger.
Even though the old type 240V/12V transformer (soldering irons etc) would put out 240V in reverse if you hooked the output up to a 12V battery, the amperage was very low so only very low amperage items would run.

Cheers


Good luck & safe travels
Peter


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Jon
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Hi Peter
Will try to explain myself better,i have made an adapter so that i can plug the 240v output side of the inverter into the 240v input system on my caravan,so that when out bush i can connect my inverter to the battery in my caravan which will give me 240v in the caravan 240v outlets.
But the trouble is where i have connected to the 240v input on the caravan i need to put a diode in place so that when i go to a caravan park and i forget to unhook my inverter from the 240v input on my caravan,and hook up to the 240v at the caravan park it feeds back to my inverter and boom,,,stuffed inverter.
See Clear as mud :D :D :D :D
CHEERS JON
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Topcat
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Hi Jon,

What you need is a blocking diode I would say rated at 30amps 240 volts AC.
You should be able to buy one at any of the industrial electrical power supply outlets'
I'm surprised the inverter you have didn't have one fitted as most GOOD quality ones have this
protection as a standard fitting for such use as what you have for your caravan.

Cheers

Ted
Cheers,

Ted


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Nightjar
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Hi Jon,
That is what I said from a different angle, you are introducing 240V back into the inverter from and external source, apart from expensive this could develop into a life threatening situation if the inverter grounds out, you may electrify your van and it would be goodbye Jon when you touched the van as you step in or out.
My thoughts are;
Permanently wire your inverter to your 12V battery setup. Make up an extension lead just long enough to run from inverter outlet to your van inlet, probably require 15 amp plugs?
When you get to your bush camp site just plug in the extension lead, when you are moving on it would be difficult not to notice the extension hanging out of your van inlet plug. This is also a double safety method because you could not inadvertantly plug your portable generator or other external 240V without disconnecting your inverter lead.

I'm not an electrician but you should think seriously about talking to one before proceeding with your blocking diode option.

Cheers
Peter
Good luck & safe travels
Peter


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Topcat
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Hi Jon,

I agree with Peter's comments in his last post.
Another method is by using a 2-Way breaker switch so that you select either external
source power or supply from your inverter.
If you do this I would advise getting an electrician to wire in the switch.
Peter's method is a more simple way of solving your problem.

Cheers

Ted
Cheers,

Ted


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should make lemonade & try to find somebody
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Nightjar
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Hi Jon,
Found this video that explains inverters in layman terms and has a contact address if you want to ask a question.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2523554073832768615#

Good luck & safe travels
Peter


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Jon
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Hi Peter & Ted
Thanks for the advice its truly noted,,think i will take peters advice and run a seperate lead.
The last inverter i bought from Bunnings was a 600watt,,a good one but i stuffed it LOL,but bunnings changed it over with a smile on there face,,i just luv Bunnings. :( :(
CHEERS JON
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Nightjar
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Jon,
Found this Inverter safety tip that may be worthwhile keeping in mind.

"Safety Issues

Electrocution
The 240 volts from an Inverter can kill you instantly, just like the 240 volt at home, so you need to take precautions. All modern houses have a Safety Switch (or Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker - ELCB or Residual Current Device - RCD) to cut off power quickly if someone touches the 240 volt while earthed - but many Inverters do NOT have them. Safety Switches will only protect against electrocution to earth if you connect the Earth Terminal on the Inverter to an earthing rod that has a good earth connection - a rod into dry sand is useless.


TIP Always use a Safety Switch at the Inverter if one isn’t built in - it’s very cheap protection against a fatality."


Good luck & safe travels
Peter


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