First electrics test on my own build

[Sid Charles]

Hello

 

Well, today was the big test day for the on-board electrics, all 4 batteries are connected and we are ready to test. I began from the bow, headlight works, horn, nav lights, then the water pump, saloon lighting, usb sockets, galley lighting, passage way lights, bedroom lights and finally the bathroom lights, then I tested the oven sparker and the gulper pump, all working, what a thrill after doing it all myself, I have 2 bilge pumps and they work. So I didn't have anything else to test apart from my brand new 3000W inverter, so I took a deep breath and switched it on, there was a click and the lights came on; however, there was a sudden smell like wiring burning, and I switched it off sharpish, I had a good sniff around and got hold of all the cables (no fuses blown) so I tried again and the smell was there but not so bad, switched it off again and went to find something to test it with, I grabbed my multi-tool and plugged it in, turned the Inverter on and tried the tool, it worked perfectly, I unplugged the tool and left the inverter on, I could still smell something but I left it on for 15 minutes, nothing went tits up so I am presuming it was just the newness burning off ? Can anyone think of anything else other than this, I really don't think there is a problem, but it would be reassuring if anyone of you long time boaters could put me at ease. TA

[Tony Brooks]

Well done, must be really gratifying, sorry, no idea about the inverter, but I suspect your diagnosis is correct.

[Sid Charles]

Fingers crossed

[BoatingLifeUpNorth2]

Is it the Victron multiplus, have you tested on shore power and the battery charge side of things?

 If it was me I would take the cover off and have a look inside to see if anything has signs of being burnt. I would try to find the source of the smell. It might be nothing and then again it might be something.

Edited February 11 by BoatingLifeUpNorth2

[Ronaldo47]

Google "RIFA capacitor failure".

 

They are a type widely found connected across the mains input for interference suppression, and are notoriously prone to failure, emitting smoke in the process. Once they have burnt out, they are generally open circuit, and the equipment continues to work normally, just minus interference suppresion.

 

The plastic encapsulation cracks, letting in moisture.  It is normally only older electrical stuff that is affected, but  unused RIFAs can develop cracks when still in original sealed bags, and new equipment might have been manufactured using  old stock. 

[Sid Charles]

12 hours ago, BoatingLifeUpNorth2 said:

Is it the Victron multiplus, have you tested on shore power and the battery charge side of things?

 If it was me I would take the cover off and have a look inside to see if anything has signs of being burnt. I would try to find the source of the smell. It might be nothing and then again it might be something.

No it's not Victron and I have no shore power

[blackrose]

It's probably just your dodgy wiring! 🤣

 

Sorry I couldn't help it.

[BoatingLifeUpNorth2]

2 hours ago, Sid Charles said:

No it's not Victron and I have no shore power

Sterling, Mastervolt or cheap Chinese one?
 Is it still smelling of burning plastic?

Edited February 12 by BoatingLifeUpNorth2

[nicknorman]

16 hours ago, Sid Charles said:

Hello

 

Well, today was the big test day for the on-board electrics, all 4 batteries are connected and we are ready to test. I began from the bow, headlight works, horn, nav lights, then the water pump, saloon lighting, usb sockets, galley lighting, passage way lights, bedroom lights and finally the bathroom lights, then I tested the oven sparker and the gulper pump, all working, what a thrill after doing it all myself, I have 2 bilge pumps and they work. So I didn't have anything else to test apart from my brand new 3000W inverter, so I took a deep breath and switched it on, there was a click and the lights came on; however, there was a sudden smell like wiring burning, and I switched it off sharpish, I had a good sniff around and got hold of all the cables (no fuses blown) so I tried again and the smell was there but not so bad, switched it off again and went to find something to test it with, I grabbed my multi-tool and plugged it in, turned the Inverter on and tried the tool, it worked perfectly, I unplugged the tool and left the inverter on, I could still smell something but I left it on for 15 minutes, nothing went tits up so I am presuming it was just the newness burning off ? Can anyone think of anything else other than this, I really don't think there is a problem, but it would be reassuring if anyone of you long time boaters could put me at ease. TA

It is abnormal for electronics to smell of smoke/burning when under no load, because it means something has got very hot, which shouldn't. I would open the inverter case and see if the smell lingers in there and if so, identify what has burnt. Assuming the smell does come from it, if the inverter is brand new you should consider sending it back under warranty because it doesn't bode well for a long, reliable life!