noble1 Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 Hi all - I have an issue with a three year old inverter - prior to lockdown when off grid I could use 240v appliances regularly- coffee machine mostly now on our first trip out I’m lucky if I can make a cup of coffee before the inverter stops working - any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 Hi, My first thoughts would be is the battery that feeds the inverter flat? Or if you've charged it is it holding that charge? Cattwg :-D Some inverters have a low input voltage indicator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 I agree with Cattwg, most likely a failing (or failed) leisure battery! What is the leisure battery voltage when the inverter cuts out? Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefitz Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 As said, the inverter will shut down when the battery voltage falls below a certain level, around 11 volts. The better inverters will have some sort of warning that this is happening, beeps or indicator. Its quite possible that the batteries have expired due to the stress caused by the inverter. There could be issues with the inverter itself but the fact it operates for a limited time suggests a battery failing. Simple tests with a meter at the battery and the inverter terminals will confirm. Batteries steadily loose capacity, more so if heavily loaded by an inverter, and its probable the batteries have reached the end of life. For a useful life, when using lead acid leisure batteries, the current drawn should not exceed 20 to 30 amps per 100Ah battery, and the battery should not be discharged more than 50%. This suggests that the battery requirements for a powerful inverter should be in the region of a 400Ah lead acid battery pack. Using a powerful 1500 watt or 2000 watt with the typical 200Ah of battery and charging system in a motor home is possible, but the trade off is short battery life. Mike Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noble1 Posted May 17, 2021 Author Share Posted May 17, 2021 Thank you for your replies - the inverter does indeed bleep and a low voltage light appears - I will fit a new battery - thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Have you changed the cabling to it? Worth comparing the voltage at the battery with the voltage reaching the inverter. You need cable rated several times higher than your usage to avoid significant voltage drop - Especially if its a long cable run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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