Inverter issue - urgent help required

Bav

Bav

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Currently on site in Cornwall (in torrential rain) trying to prepare breakfast. Switched on inverter (Renoligy 3kw psw) and it just beeps for a few seconds, then emits a constant beep for another few seconds and then switches itself off.

I've had it beep before when load was nearing/exceeding max, but this is happening with no load at all. A quick Google suggests it could be input DC voltage too low, but I have 2x 110Ah lithium LBs that are currently sat with an SOC of 58%.

Anyone got any ideas?

FYI, I don't have any equipment with me, such as a multimeter, and the inverter itself is not accessible (it's in the bowels of the cabinetry, behind the driver's seat and would require removal of fridge to get to it).
 
Bav said:
Currently on site in Cornwall (in torrential rain) trying to prepare breakfast. Switched on inverter (Renoligy 3kw psw) and it just beeps for a few seconds, then emits a constant beep for another few seconds and then switches itself off.

I've had it beep before when load was nearing/exceeding max, but this is happening with no load at all. A quick Google suggests it could be input DC voltage too low, but I have 2x 110Ah lithium LBs that are currently sat with an SOC of 58%.

Anyone got any ideas?

FYI, I don't have any equipment with me, such as a multimeter, and the inverter itself is not accessible (it's in the bowels of the cabinetry, behind the driver's seat and would require removal of fridge to get to it).
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Have you tried it with the engine running? Assuming you have a Dc Dc charger.
 
Is it one of the current models, same shape as the 1000w and 2000w?

The manual suggests under voltage, over voltage or overheating.

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Salty Spuds said:
Have you tried it with the engine running? Assuming you have a Dc Dc charger.
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Interesting - the inverter appears to work just fine with the engine running.

Does that indicate input voltage was to low?
 
Bav said:
Interesting - the inverter appears to work just fine with the engine running.

Does that indicate input voltage was to low?
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Possibly, you'll get voltage drop when you've got loads on the battery, and inverters usually have a large inrush current when they're powered on which would cause a big voltage drop, it's when they fill the capacitors inside.

Now it's turned on with the engine running you should be ok to switch the engine off, as it's pulled all the amps needed for the power on.
 
TallPaul_S said:
Possibly, you'll get voltage drop when you've got loads on the battery, and inverters usually have a large inrush current when they're powered on which works cause a big voltage drop.

Now it's turned on with the engine running you should be ok to switch the engine off, as it's pulled all the amps needed for the power on.
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Thanks, I'll give that a go.
 
TallPaul_S said:
Now it's turned on with the engine running you should be ok to switch the engine off, as it's pulled all the amps needed for the power on.
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So, initially, the inverter continued to work after I turned the engine off (powering an induction hob on its lowest setting), but then it started bleeping again after a couple of minutes, so something is definitely not right.

This is what I've done - hope someone can make sense of what's happening...

1. Started engine
2. Switched inverter on (no bleeping)
3. Switched engine off
4. Switched induction hob on to lowest setting (no bleeping)
5. Switched off hob and switched on 500w milk heater (bleeping started)
6. Switched inverter off
7. Restarted engine
8. Switched inverter on (no bleeping)
9. Switched on milk heater (no bleeping)
10. Switched off milk heater
11. Switched on toaster (bleeping started, even with engine running)

I'm not sure of the wattage of the toaster, but I can usually run the hob, milk heater and toaster simultaneously with no probs.
 
Is it beeping but not turning off? That would indicate 11v or less but not low enough to turn off.

Can you see the voltage of your batteries? Check it when you're got stuff running, and I'll bet because you're at or below 50%, when you're got stuff running the voltage drop combined with the lower voltage from the charge level is enough to bring you below the voltage for the inverter to start beeping.

I'm guessing no solar currently either? That would bump up the voltage too and compensate for the voltage drop.
 
LB voltage is currently 11.7/ SOC 60%

Weather is terrible, so v little solar from 300w panel - currently around 3A
 
Bav said:
LB voltage is currently 11.7/ SOC 60%

Weather is terrible, so v little solar from 300w panel - currently around 3A
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How are you reading the state of charge? And is that voltage at rest or with stuff running?

I'd expect to see 13.2v or so at 60% charge with LiFePO4, with no load or draw.
 
TallPaul_S said:
How are you reading the state of charge? And is that voltage at rest or with stuff running?

I'd expect to see 13.2v or so at 60% charge with LiFePO4, with no load or draw.
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The fridge might have been running - doh!
 
Fridge not running now and voltage still at 11.65
 
Any ideas why voltage is so.low? Shagged battery maybe?
 
Bav said:
Fridge not running now and voltage still at 11.65
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That's under 10% state of charge going by the LiFePO4 voltage charts - where are you getting your state of charge from? Battery BMS, shunt? Which battery?
 
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