12VDC to 220VAC inverter

[cwlspark]

I have this inverter that shows me overload when I put it on an car battery. I have a multimeter that I tested al the capcitors and diodes, but there are this CT that I think is putting out the fault. I want to know if there is any means that I can test the CT by using the multimeter and how I can determine on which leg of the CT the overloead is connected.

 

[racookpe1978]

What fault is the display indicating?
What is the output? (Good voltage, but bad amperage? No voltage at all? High voltage? )

 

[nengaw]

Does the inverter work with a simple resistive load?

 

[itsmoked]

I have seen many inverters crap-out. They usually blow their pass-elements. I have a stack of them in my office that I can't justify repairing. They're never worth the hassle to fix. I suspect that in your case. The Current Transformer is probably telling the truth and something real and broken is actually the overload problem.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[jraef]

I've only taken apart one after it failed, and although I agree with itsmoked's assessment that there was nothing worth the effort to repair inside, it appeared to me that on mine the little transformer in the boost converter circuit had shorted. For what they claimed the peak rating on the inverter was, I imagine that transformer was woefully inadequate and doomed to failure from the outset if the AC load connected to the inverter had any sort of inductive quality, ie where it required inrush current. That little transformer would have needed to supply all of that power and likely shorted it's windings in the effort, which would I imagine, show up as a short circuit if the damage had not also taken out the entire PCB power supply as well (as it did in my case).


"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals" -- Booker T. Washington

 

[OperaHouse]

A picture would help. Generally it is obvious, one or two turns of something heavy and the smaller wire is the sense. Hard to imagine that would be the problem. Is this a sine wave converter? Most of the MSW inverters just monitor a low ohm sense resistor in the bottom leg of the H bridge. I have a stack of inverters 2000/4000W I bought cheap too that power my camp. Almost every one had a shorted FET in the H bridge, These were paralleled up for higher power. I don't spend much time fixing them. Just find the FETs with a shorted gate, remove the mounting screw and wiggle the FET till the leads break. Walla, a repaired inverter that I can use at lower power. The inverters are dedicated to minimal loads compared to their capability and the fans are removed to increase efficiency (fans take about a half amp).

 

[itsmoked]

OperaHouse - Our inverter hot-rodder.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com