Inverter issue

[merl]

Which would have been identified using KT problem analysis.

Nah, because it turned out to be nothing at all to do with the screws and actually caused by something completely unrelated which is my point about KT WRT electronic issues. Yep, bear it in mind but don't rely on it or let it influence decisions to great effect because in my experience in the realm of electronics coincidence will make a fool of KT analysis.

 

[wildebus]

TBH, when it comes to problem analysis for Inverters, it is generally quite simple ....

Problem: Microwave will not run off inverter anymore.
Question 1: Is it a Victron Inverter?
Yes - most probably fault with Microwave or supply to Inverter
No - most probably fault with Inverter

In the case of Boris, as it is a 12V fridge, its introduction was very unlikely to be the cause of the issue UNLESS in the process of installing the fridge wiring, other wiring was disturbed. A 12V Fridge will not directly impact the running of an inverter



(and I say "most probably" and "very unlikely" as nothing is 100% definate)

 

[Boris7]

Think it’s the batteries

I turned everything off on the van and plugged the kettle directly into the inverter and unplugged the van from the inverter.

Put kettle on and voltage across the batteries dropped like a stone.

I’ve spoken to S&G Leisure and they seem to think the same.

So looks like new lithium when I get home, these lasted less than 3 years

 

[merl]

Think it’s the batteries

I turned everything off on the van and plugged the kettle directly into the inverter and unplugged the van from the inverter.

Put kettle on and voltage across the batteries dropped like a stone.

I’ve spoken to S&G Leisure and they seem to think the same.

So looks like new lithium when I get home, these lasted less than 3 years

Don't write off your batteries just yet! What is your battery setup Kev? If you have more than one battery in parallel then As I said previously it could be just the BMS playing up in one of them. OR it may be a fuse or high resistance connection in one of them.
So, how many batteries and what AH are they? Are they fused separately?
Or are they parallelled and share a common fuse?
Are they fused at all?

 

[wildebus]

Think it’s the batteries

I turned everything off on the van and plugged the kettle directly into the inverter and unplugged the van from the inverter.

Put kettle on and voltage across the batteries dropped like a stone.

I’ve spoken to S&G Leisure and they seem to think the same.

So looks like new lithium when I get home, these lasted less than 3 years

You say batteries - so you have more than one of them then. What I would suggest is you disconnect each one in turn to see if you can pin down the fault to a specific one. You may be able to disconnect a battery via an app if they have Bluetooth connectivity; You may be able to switch it off via a push button on the battery (most have an on-off switch, but sometimes they switch themselves back on when a load is detected); or you might need to physically disconnect a cable to the battery (would only have to do +ve OR -ve, don't need to do both).
This could get you by with a useable setup while you are away.

 

[Boris7]

TBF I’ve pretty much decided I can survive using the EcoFlow (luckily I changed my mind at the last minute and chucked it in the van) the inverter charges the EcoFlow while driving and I’ve got 2 portable 220w solar panels so it’s charging while I’m still today.

I’ve given this 2 hours of my time and it’s not something I fully understand so when I get home I’ll have S&G look at it. They’ve told me worse case is new lithium 300ah for £1500 best case is they fix what’s there for much less.

I’ll only be home for 10 days and they can fit it in before I go again so I’ll do that and get on with enjoying the trip.

Thanks for all your help though guys.

 

[trevskoda]

TBF I’ve pretty much decided I can survive using the EcoFlow (luckily I changed my mind at the last minute and chucked it in the van) the inverter charges the EcoFlow while driving and I’ve got 2 portable 220w solar panels so it’s charging while I’m still today.

I’ve given this 2 hours of my time and it’s not something I fully understand so when I get home I’ll have S&G look at it. They’ve told me worse case is new lithium 300ah for £1500 best case is they fix what’s there for much less.

I’ll only be home for 10 days and they can fit it in before I go again so I’ll do that and get on with enjoying the trip.

Thanks for all your help though guys.

Tell them to p-ss of, 300ah liths are about £360, seems money is burning a hole in ones pocket, any chance of a loan.

 

[wildebus]

TBF I’ve pretty much decided I can survive using the EcoFlow (luckily I changed my mind at the last minute and chucked it in the van) the inverter charges the EcoFlow while driving and I’ve got 2 portable 220w solar panels so it’s charging while I’m still today.

I’ve given this 2 hours of my time and it’s not something I fully understand so when I get home I’ll have S&G look at it. They’ve told me worse case is new lithium 300ah for £1500 best case is they fix what’s there for much less.

I’ll only be home for 10 days and they can fit it in before I go again so I’ll do that and get on with enjoying the trip.

Thanks for all your help though guys.

As Trev says, 300Ah for £1500 is too much. Maybe a price from around 5 years ago?
Last big lithiums I bought to install were the 300Ah from Alpha Batteries last year for £700. Included Internal heaters and Bluetooth. Their 320Ah models are now £600 for the same features and will be just as good as whatever S&G are selling for £1500 I have no doubt.
Get like for like replacements in terms of physical size and the installation time will be what to swap then out and reconnect cables? a hour? and if they are 3 years old, they should be under warranty anyway - most Lithiums are sold with a 10 year warranty, although often that is pro-rated againt age, so 3 years into a 10 year warranty, they will give you 70% off a replacement, not just swap it over at zero cost (this depends on the supplier policy).

 

[Boris7]

Issue with warranty the supplier has gone bust.

Obviously I’ll try to look around, but I get home and have loads to do (I have 2 house sales going through, some consultancy work to do, and a carp load of other stuff) then I have to be at Croft, then Donington Park, then Knockhill, then the Hereford meet, then back to Donington, the Italian GP, Snetterton, Silverstone then 1 weekend off and Brands Hatch to end the season.

I wasn’t this busy when I was working.

 

[wildebus]

Issue with warranty the supplier has gone bust.

Obviously I’ll try to look around, but I get home and have loads to do (I have 2 house sales going through, some consultancy work to do, and a carp load of other stuff) then I have to be at Croft, then Donington Park, then Knockhill, then the Hereford meet, then back to Donington, the Italian GP, Snetterton, Silverstone then 1 weekend off and Brands Hatch to end the season.

I wasn’t this busy when I was working.

The old batteries won't be worth close to what you paid for them, but they still have a value to them - They are likely repairable for an interested DIYer (unlikely worthwhile commercially) so if you get replacements, I would suggest don't just give them to S&G or whoever for nothing

 

[merl]

The old batteries won't be worth close to what you paid for them, but they still have a value to them - They are likely repairable for an interested DIYer (unlikely worthwhile commercially) so if you get replacements, I would suggest don't just give them to S&G or whoever for nothing

Indeed, probably very repairable because the cells will almost certainly be Ok and it'll simply need a replacement BMS fitting which is a dead easy job.
TBF we still don't know if Kev's got separate batteries or one big one, if it's separates then it'll only be a single battery that's failed and the other/others will be fine. AND if it's separates then it could still be a bad connection or O.C fuse that's causing one battery to stop current sharing and hence causing undue load on the other/others leading to the remaining BMS/BMSs to trip and cut power.
As I mentioned previously don't write off the batteries just yet, it could be something much cheaper and simpler to fix.

 

[Boris7]

It’s 2 separate 100ah batteries.

What you have to remember is I have no idea what your talking about.

Obviously I took the van to a recommended agent who fitted the solar, batteries etc.

After everything was done I later heard stories of issues with the dealer, but my system worked fine.

I went to S&G for the levelling system (love it) they did not do the solar, they pointed out some issues with the power system, but it still worked fine.

 

[merl]

It’s 2 separate 100ah batteries.

That makes sense.
How you proceed will obviously depend on how much you can be bothered but as I've said previously your problem could be caused simply by a bad connection or a bad fuse. I fully understand if you cant be arsed but if you're interested I can talk you through taking a few measurements to track things down and possibly enable you to either fix the problem yourself (tightening a bolt or replacing a fuse) or will give you some insight into what's going on so you dont get ripped/fobbed off when dealing with your chosen repairer. I'm actually really close to Donnington too so may be able to take a look for you Kev.

 

[trevskoda]

Never mind warrenty as not worth the paper if they go belly up.
Look on temu, bough lots of things and 99% ok.