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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: 18360 on February 04, 2020, 08:00:20 am

Title: Inverter not powering up
Post by: 18360 on February 04, 2020, 08:00:20 am
When I would always turn on my inverter button I would hear a little thump down below somewhere and you would hear a buzzing noise.
Now nothing happens. No sound, no buzz and of course no power in my plugs.
Where should I start.
I enclosed pictures. The last one is a picture of my fuse box. The one breaker that is off is the inverter breaker.  But ever since lithium batteries were installed they told me to make sure that was always off because that is the circuit that charges the battery and I have a separate charger for that.
Even with that off though, the inverter always turned on.
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 04, 2020, 08:25:55 am
In the first pic it appears that the on/off switch is in the on poss. With the monitor (link 2000) that is shown in the 2nd pic. you need to have the on/off switch in the off poss.  I know that don't make sense.  Did you try to push bottom he reset breaker button on the face of the inverter/converter?  It could be that the internal transfer switch has failed. Are you sure that the thump didn't come from one of the transfer switchs that is located under the bed? If this transfer switch has failed then you will not be able to feed power through it even though you have power coming to it from the Freedom 25.

Mike
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: wolfe10 on February 04, 2020, 09:43:43 am
And, the "thump" is the secondary ATS kicking in.

Second one has one feed from main 120 VAC breaker panel and the other from the inverter.

And, that is a good place to start troubleshooting, as it will tell you if you have power IN from the inverter when it is on AND then if there is power OUT.
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: 18360 on February 05, 2020, 08:09:28 pm
I'm not sure what the ATS looks like.  And how do i tell if it is working or not.
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: Tommy D on February 05, 2020, 08:15:04 pm
My 2 ATS are in the cavity behind the foot of the bed where my fuses and breakers are.  I replaced mine with this PD52DCS Transfer Switch - Progressive Dynamics (https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/automatic-transfer-switches/pd52dcs-pd52s-240-vac-50-amp-automatic-surge-protected-transfer-switch-the-silent-ats/pd52dcs-transfer-switch/) it has a surge protector with it.  Raise the bed and mine had a piece of luan running the width of the bed it was hiding below that.

Not sure on a 1998 but suspect in same location???

Thread I used Replace ATS100 110v? Lost all AC power. Replace/Fix? automatic power switch (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=33719.0)
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: wolfe10 on February 05, 2020, 08:55:51 pm
If you are not safe and comfortable working around 120/240 VAC, S T O P.

Particularly if you just had someone work on your electrical system (installing new Lithium batteries and advising on inverter/charger operation), go back to them.

If they don't know how your coach is wired,  have their electrical guru ask the questions here.  Should not be that difficult, assuming you have a secondary ATS.
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: 18360 on February 05, 2020, 09:12:21 pm
This wouldn't have anything to do with my generator not starting.
I'm having trouble starting it and i'm taking it to a third shop tomorrow.
When i try to start the generator should i make sure there is no load on it at that time?
Should i  not be on shore power when i try to start it?
Could i have blown the ATS while trying to start the generator with the above issues in place?
Sorry,  I'm still new at all of this.
Title: Re: Inverter not powering up
Post by: wolfe10 on February 05, 2020, 09:18:00 pm
ANSWERS IS SOLID LETTER CAPS.

This wouldn't have anything to do with my generator not starting. LIKELY UNRELATED.

When i try to start the generator should i make sure there is no load on it at that time? YES, IT IS BETTER TO CHANGE FROM ONE POWER SOURCE TO ANOTHER WITH NO HIGH-AMP LOADS ON.

Should i  not be on shore power when i try to start it? SLIGHTLY BETTER FOR SHORE POWER TO BE OFF, BUT HAVING ALL HIGH AMP LOADS OFF IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR ATS LIFE.

Could i have blown the ATS while trying to start the generator with the above issues in place? SPECULATING HERE, BUT ASSUME YOU HAVE TWO ATS'S.  THE FIRST IS GENERATOR/SHORE POWER AND THE SECOND EITHER OF THE ABOVE/INVERTER.  IF SO THEY ARE UNLRELATED. AND YOU WOULD NOT "BLOW" AN ATS BY CHANGING POWER SOURCES.  PIT THE CONTACTORS-- POSSIBLY. BUT THAT WOULD NOT LEAD TO SHORT-TERM FAILURE.

Sorry,  I'm still new at all of this.