Inverter/Charger

[mrsmelly]

Hi Folks

 

Having had a fab electrolux gennie on my lsat boat I now have only a sterling combi thingy its combined inverter/ charger now I know how it works as an inverter when the engine is running ( So do the poor sodding Batteries !! ) My question is if I say plug a 2kw gennie into the landline socket does the electrical appliance in the boat still use the inverter thro the batteries or does the combi use the power from the external source first ?

Hope this makes sense

 

Cheers

 

Tim

[Gibbo]

Having had a fab electrolux gennie on my lsat boat I now have only a sterling combi thingy its combined inverter/ charger now I know how it works as an inverter when the engine is running ( So do the poor sodding Batteries !! ) My question is if I say plug a 2kw gennie into the landline socket does the electrical appliance in the boat still use the inverter thro the batteries or does the combi use the power from the external source first ?

 

The combi switches off the inverter when it senses the incoming 230 volts, passes the incoming 230 volts straight through to the AC output socket/connections and also barks the charger up (if the charger is enabled). When you switch the genny off (or a pikey someone nicks it) it will bark the inverter back up (if it's enabled).

[mrsmelly]

The combi switches off the inverter when it senses the incoming 230 volts, passes the incoming 230 volts straight through to the AC output socket/connections and also barks the charger up (if the charger is enabled). When you switch the genny off (or a pikey someone nicks it) it will bark the inverter back up (if it's enabled).

 

Hi Gibbo

 

Nice one and thanks bur err how do I know if its enabled before I plug a gennie in ?

[Gibbo]

Hi Gibbo

 

Nice one and thanks bur err how do I know if its enabled before I plug a gennie in ?

 

Well you could really push the boat out and read the manual. Which you won't have because you'll have used it to light the fire with, so you'll have to download it from the website.

[Biggles]

Well you could really push the boat out and read the manual. Which you won't have because you'll have used it to light the fire with, so you'll have to download it from the website.

 

 

:lol: :lol:

[mrsmelly]

Well you could really push the boat out and read the manual. Which you won't have because you'll have used it to light the fire with, so you'll have to download it from the website.

 

Well actualy I have a bit of shiney paper it came with but I didnt buy it so have never read it,mmmmmmmmmm now where did I put my bloody glasses !!

[steve hayes]

now where did I put my bloody glasses !!

 

My normal comment

[by'eck]

Depending on the model, you have at least a 30 amp AC throughput when working with shore/genny power.

 

The only controls you have apart from battery selector is a single three way rocker switch on the control panel which itself can be removed from the unit to act as remote panel via extension cable. It has its own limited LED display with full display on main unit. The three position switch offers AUTO (power saver on); Unit OFF; Power saver off. I think the last position switches on inverter manually.

 

If you can't find the manual (which doesn't tell you a lot) its here

[blackrose]

Hi Folks

 

Having had a fab electrolux gennie on my lsat boat I now have only a sterling combi thingy its combined inverter/ charger now I know how it works as an inverter when the engine is running ( So do the poor sodding Batteries !! ) My question is if I say plug a 2kw gennie into the landline socket does the electrical appliance in the boat still use the inverter thro the batteries or does the combi use the power from the external source first ?

Hope this makes sense

 

Cheers

 

Tim

 

Before plugging in the generator start it up first, plug the cable into the shoreline socket on the boat and then plug the other end into the generator. I know a bloke who set fire to a Sterling combi apparently by exposing it to large voltage spikes when starting his generator. You only have to wait a few seconds before connecting it up. I wonder if these spikes occur when the generator is switched off too? If you want to be sure and disconnect the cable before switching the generator off, then disconnect from the generator first. It's best not to have a live cable in your hand.

Edited August 29, 2011 by blackrose

[by'eck]

Before plugging in the generator start it up first, plug the cable into the shoreline socket on the boat and then plug the other end into the generator. I know a bloke who set fire to a Sterling combi apparently by exposing it to large voltage spikes when starting his generator. You only have to wait a few seconds before connecting it up. I wonder if these spikes occur when the generator is switched off too? If you want to be sure and disconnect the cable before switching the generator off, then disconnect from the generator first. It's best not to have a live cable in your hand.

 

Good advice when connecting any electrical equipment to a genny. Having said that on more than one occasion I didn't take my own advice & let then genny run down whilst the load was still on it.

 

Both Sterling & Victron equipment have suffered this abuse without any problems though.

[blackrose]

Good advice when connecting any electrical equipment to a genny. Having said that on more than one occasion I didn't take my own advice & let then genny run down whilst the load was still on it.

 

Both Sterling & Victron equipment have suffered this abuse without any problems though.

 

Is it an issue mainly confined to combis or other equipment with sensitive components? I have a separate Sterling charger and inverter and I have a mains selector switch on the consumer unit which would normally be in the off position when I start the generator. Before I heard about that case of the combi fire I used to start the generator with the cable connected.

[by'eck]

I have never started a generator with a load on for many obvious reasons.

 

My boat electrics did survive seven years in most parts of the Caribbean without issues, although the mains supply came & went regularly with all manner of spikes & voltage variations.

 

The direct lightning strike in Virginia did beat it though - to the tune of £12,000 Good job I was insured

[Justme]

The victron multi's wait till the supply is stable before applying the load or running the charger. Also when turning off as soon as the supply goes out of spec it takes over again.

[nb Innisfree]

The victron multi's wait till the supply is stable before applying the load or running the charger. Also when turning off as soon as the supply goes out of spec it takes over again.

 

And they ramp the load up gradually + they will mimic whatever waveform they're receiving.

 

A pretty foolproof bit of kit.

Edited August 29, 2011 by nb Innisfree

[Justme]

And they ramp the load up gradually + they will mimic whatever waveform they're receiving.

 

A pretty foolproof bit of kit.

 

 

Yep & we had a genny importer saying that we were wrecking our genny by starting & stopping it whilst plugged in to the inverter just so they could get out of the warranty. Its got to be the gentlest way of starting, applying a load & stopping going.