Inverter alarming out

GreenPowerManiac
GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
Got a portable 4500w inverter that's alarming out, "Inlet High".  
With the weather jumping around, yesterday 40's, today 60's, much condensation.  A few years ago had the other inverter, I've got two,  do a similar thing where it wouldn't take much load before it would switch back and forth to grid/solar.  Had to take it down and apart to find out the bottom circuit board where the soldered connections where at, some where melted together.  Fixed that by carefully removing solder between illegal contacts.  The condensation shorted a few contacts together.   

Today, the OTHER inverter says Inlet High "Inhi".   When I reconnect the on/off switch to start the inverter under a load, it'll run a few seconds and error out again.   

Is there any way to dry out the inverter to start it up again, or do I have to wait out the humidity and let it dry out with normal cooler temps ?
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Comments

  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #2

    Hi G P M,


    Not easy to guess just what might be going on with the OTHER inverter,   BUT,  If it is Winter where you are,  and the batteries are cool/cold,  perhaps the temperature effect on your batteries could be raising the battery voltage above the Maximum input V spec for that inverter  --  this is fairly common with many 12 V inverters,  and some 24 V inverters.


    We cannot know your battery voltage,  or the model inverter,  but this is something to look at.   Measure your battery voltage,  and compare this reading to the specified Max Vin for your inverter.


    FWIW,  guessing over,   for now.   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    Yes, looked at bank voltage.  12.7 at that time.  Input said 15.5v on inverter.  Tried it later on with load (bench grinder) upon start up and worked for about 10 seconds.   Could hear the inverter crackle slightly and eventually alarmed out with same result.  Will try again this morning.  
    It's cooler now after our violent winds last night, so hoping things back to normal.  Everything was sweating yesterday.
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  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    It's working now.
    Like said, moisture making contacts with other circuits.
    Guess it's another fringe benefit of having the inverter outside....
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  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    Was told that a setup with a small light bulb under the unit serves enough heat to dissuade the condensation from forming during non operational hours.   A night light ??  LOL
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    If you have that much moisture, look a fixing that problem. Better ventilation, sealing a concrete slab, etc.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    Thought of that, yet says not to contain them.  They're mobile inverters.  They have fans on them.  It's just when the temp goes up fast and creates a lot of moisture.   Once a year seems like.
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