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Topic: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope! (Read 315 times) previous topic - next topic

I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

1989 U280, which came with a PACS 1500 inverter and one find day we had no AC. As part of the whole try-to-find-the-problem, I pulled the inverter putta there and stuck another known good on in. Well. It has 120vac at its3lf, but there is Nothin anywhere else in the coach for AC. Is there a fuse or a breaker on the output side of the inverter somewhere? If there is I sure can't find it.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #1 –
Quote from: twobus –
Is there a fuse or a breaker on the output side of the inverter somewhere?
I'm not sure about your 1989 model, but on later U280 models (like ours) the original factory inverter sent AC power to a transfer switch which was located at the foot of the bed.  The transfer switch was usually activated from a "inverter control" panel inside the coach.  See the photo below of the Taytronics inverter panel that was original equipment on our '93 model.

If the inverter transfer switch fails, then you will not get any inverter supplied AC power to the wall outlets.  However, AC power from shore connection and generator should still work.  See diagram below:

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #2 –
Yeah, this ol'timer doesn't have that setup. I *think* the only transfer switch is the one in the battery bay, but I still have a lot of digging to do.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #3 –
Quote from: twobus –
Yeah, this ol'timer doesn't have that setup. I *think* the only transfer switch is the one in the battery bay, but I still have a lot of digging to do.
Do any of your wall outlets work when you are on shore power, or when the generator is running?

You can't have two different active AC electric sources simultaneously powering your main AC panel.  For instance, you can't connect the (running) generator and shore power to the main panel at the same time.  That's why you have the shore power/generator ATS.  It allows one or the other to actively power the main panel, but not both at the same time.

You also can't have the (active) inverter connected to the main panel at the same time as the shore power or the (running) generator.

If you don't have a inverter transfer switch (or relay) then you must have two separate AC power circuits - one for the shore power or generator, and one for the inverter.  In that case, you might also have two separate AC circuit breaker panels - main panel and inverter panel.  The inverter powered panel would feed one or more dedicated inverter outlets that are only "hot" when the inverter is running.  If you have this setup, check the inverter panel for tripped circuit breakers.

Lift the bed mattress platform and look in the enclosed space at the foot of the bed.  Any AC electrical stuff there?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #4 –
I also have an inverter switch near the closet. I can't get any indication that it works and have no 110 unless my gen set runs.  Or plugged in.
Maybe the inverter is under the closet floor?
My ats is under the bed.

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Maybe the inverter is under the closet floor?
Not too likely - inverter needs to be where it can get some cooling airflow.  Usually mounted in a storage bay.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: I thought the inverter was dead. Nope!

Reply #6 –
Found some old threads pertaining to the PACS 1500 inverter and associated problems:

Pacs 1500 inverter

Taytronics Inverter Help

Inverter not working on 91 GV... Light comes on but power on outlets., microwav

electrical outlets
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"