Grr inverter stopped

[Clunegapyears]

Hello from Turkey.

The inverter has been working just fine. All of a sudden no power to the sockets. The system is set up so that it thinks it is on EHU whenever the inverter is switched on.

The inverter switches on so it can’t be a fuse. The readings on the top are:
Output 50.0 Hz. 228.6v
Battery 13.2v
Load 0
The battery icon shows full
Not sure what the lightbulb denotes as tbh haven’t taken any notice of it before.

When it stopped working, I was just charging 2 and a speaker so hardly a big draw.

I can’t tell you what brand without breaking into the cabinetry. It’s a 3000w and about 3-4 years old.

Any ideas of what we can do to check the fault or do you think it’s fried?

 

[Fisherman]

From what you are posting the wiring from the battery seems to be fine. As you say I suspect there’s a blown fuse on the 240 side. Another possibility is a software issue. Try removing the supply from the battery side. Leave disconnected for 30 seconds then reconnect.
Good luck.

 

[wildebus]

Have you one of the plug-in testers? that would be a good first check.
The fact it is showing an voltage suggests the inverter electrics is ok so maybe a fuse on the output? has it got a little fuse holder like you see on some mains spur outlets?

 

[Clunegapyears]

Hi David

I just checked the usb on the actual inverter and that is working. So you may be right about the fuse on the output. I don’t know what you mean by fuse holder on mains spur outlet? Could you mean the 3 pin plug plug into it?

It’s a different inverter in a different place to when you worked on it.

K

 

[Fisherman]

Hi David

I just checked the usb on the actual inverter and that is working. So you may be right about the fuse on the output. I don’t know what you mean by fuse holder on mains spur outlet? Could you mean the 3 pin plug plug into it?

It’s a different inverter in a different place to when you worked on it.

I would check the fuse in the plug.
But there could be an internal mains fuse inside the inverter also.

 

[wildebus]

Hi David

I just checked the usb on the actual inverter and that is working. So you may be right about the fuse on the output. I don’t know what you mean by fuse holder on mains spur outlet? Could you mean the 3 pin plug plug into it?

It’s a different inverter in a different place to when you worked on it.

K

Hi,
As Bill says, could be the fuse in the plug of the device you had plugged in - although I had assumed you tried something else just to see if it was inverter or device?
The fuse I was meaning was a fuse that protects the actual outlet. I can't find a picture that really suits what could be fitted in your inverter, but if you use the one below as an example, there is a fuse holder under the middle switch in this multi-gang outlet. It is not that noticable, especially if the outlet was tucked away somewhere and not well illuminated so may not be aware it is there? If there is a fuse like that, it is the same type as the fuses in a plug.

But again, as Bill says, could be an internal fuse?
Overall, I would hope the fault, given the display shown looks all good, is a simple thing to sort out, fingers crossed.

 

[YeoBlade]

All inverters, even the cheap ones typically have a fuse inside. These are often a blade style fuse similar to what you have in a car or truck fuse block.
The thing is you can find the fuse and replace it if it's dead but what was it that cause the fuse to blow? Usually that's a bad MOSFET or something else has shorted. Replace the fuse, it just might pop again.
Does it still show 227v when you load it?
Having the USB working is probably due to it is coming from the 12v supply

 

[Clunegapyears]

Morning. And thank you for your replies.

2 hours ahead here, so this morning we changed the 13amp fuse in the plug, which feeds the 240v system.

I cannot see a sunk fuse on the top of the inverter. There are screws holding the inverter fascia in place, but I am loathe to remove them as I’d probably bugger up the inverter by dislodging all the gubbins behind.

Would it be the inverter fuse, given both the usb and both 3 pin sockets on it are working. Could it be the 240v system?

 

[Clunegapyears]

From what you are posting the wiring from the battery seems to be fine. As you say I suspect there’s a blown fuse on the 240 side. Another possibility is a software issue. Try removing the supply from the battery side. Leave disconnected for 30 seconds then reconnect.
Good luck.

Agree … the inverter is being charged. I have checked all the fuses under my foot.
Think it’s more the supply from the inverter to the 240 system. Not sure how to check that or reboot it.

 

[Clunegapyears]

Ps. Have tried various devices on various outlet sockets. 12v system is fine.
K

 

[Robmac]

Morning. And thank you for your replies.

2 hours ahead here, so this morning we changed the 13amp fuse in the plug, which feeds the 240v system.

I cannot see a sunk fuse on the top of the inverter. There are screws holding the inverter fascia in place, but I am loathe to remove them as I’d probably bugger up the inverter by dislodging all the gubbins behind.

Would it be the inverter fuse, given both the usb and both 3 pin sockets on it are working. Could it be the 240v system?

Sounds like the Inverter is working as it should so I would think there must be another fuse blown in the 240V circuit or a detached cable connection somewhere?

 

[Fisherman]

I think it’s hardware related blown fuse or faulty inverter, but it could be software related.
There should be a large amperage fuse on the battery feed positive side. If you remove this fuse you will power down the inverter. If it’s software related this may sort your issue. I had a software issue with my Victron MPPT solar charger where it was not charging the batteries. Removing power then reconnecting solved the issue. It’s worth a try.

 

[Robmac]

I think it’s hardware related blown fuse or faulty inverter, but it could be software related.
There should be a large amperage fuse on the battery feed positive side. If you remove this fuse you will power down the inverter. If it’s software related this may sort your issue. I had a software issue with my Victron MPPT solar charger where it was not charging the batteries. Removing power then reconnecting solved the issue. It’s worth a try.

Would that be the case though Bill if the 240V sockets on the Inverter itself are working ok?

 

[YeoBlade]

//////

Would it be the inverter fuse, given both the usb and both 3 pin sockets on it are working. Could it be the 240v system?

So to be clear (You'll like that Rob) so 240v appliances work Ok when plugged directly in the inverter ?? If o them your problem lies in the distribution of the 240 onwards, does it go to the Consumer Unit (EHU/Inverter switched?) and feed all the plugs in the van? or some other distribution system

 

[Fisherman]

Would that be the case though Bill if the 240V sockets on the Inverter itself are working ok?

No it would not Rob, that would mean there’s a fault in the distribution box or wiring on mains side. If I missed something sorry.

 

[Fisherman]

Have the switches been checked in the distribution (fuse) box.

 

[marchie]

Agree … the inverter is being charged. I have checked all the fuses under my foot.
Think it’s more the supply from the inverter to the 240 system. Not sure how to check that or reboot it.

There's been a Victron software/firmware update [on Friday, IIRC]. Have you made the change? Our M/Home is being used as a temporary kitchen whilst work is being carried out on the house, so we are plugged into the EHU connection socket; the inverter is working fine after the Victron update ... Worth checking!

Steve

 

[Clunegapyears]

Ok so get this. I plugged the orange cable into the the EHU entry point. Plugged the bollard end into the socket on the inverter. The 220v system sockets work. Yay.

So my deduction is that it must be the connection between the inverter and the 220 system. I’ve changed the fuse in the plug that sits in the inverter already.

However, I have no idea how to check where the black plug / cable goes to feed the 220 system. The black cable goes down and disappears under the inverter, seemingly under the floor. I though I would go towards the under seat adjacent, with the lithiums, controller etc. Our EHU entry point is on the outside wall, behind the inverter. So could it go there. The inverter is in a cabinetry, which we can’t totally unscrew … we tried when I dropped a phone down there.

Good that it’s not the inverter
Good that it’s not the 220v system.

Any thoughts?

And thank you again
K

 

[Clunegapyears]

Have the switches been checked in the distribution (fuse) box.

Yes. That was the first thing I did. K

 

[Clunegapyears]

So to be clear (You'll like that Rob) so 240v appliances work Ok when plugged directly in the inverter ?? If o them your problem lies in the distribution of the 240 onwards, does it go to the Consumer Unit (EHU/Inverter switched?) and feed all the plugs in the van? or some other distribution system

Yes. But I’ve just posted that 220 system works when I bypass the cable from the inverter. Your post made me think to do that.