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tomkat4725's avatar
tomkat4725
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015

Dimensions Inverter Problems

I am a novice when it comes to inverters. I have a Dimensions Unlimited Model WIN-12w6r3t "inverter only" in a 2007 Winnebago Adventurer 35A. It has a remote switch and function lights near my main control panel. The inverter doesn't seem to put out any 110v when the switch is turned on. It does pass through 110v when connected to shore power. It also, and this is my biggest concern, draws down my house batteries even when the battery disconnect switch has shut all the 12v systems off. I have disconnected the 12v feed to it to keep from draining the batteries constantly. Does this sound like a malfunctioning inverter? If so are they repairable? I really wouldn't use it much even if it was working correctly. Is it ok to leave the 12v feed to it unhooked?

2 Replies

  • I just read the PDF file on this inverter from SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES.

    They want fifty dollars for the device

    It has a FIFTEEN AMP rated 120vac transfer switch

    It is modified sine wave
  • If it's turned on, it will run the battery down even with no load applied. That's not unusual.

    It's also not at all uncommon to have the inverter wired to the battery bank without going through the disconnect relay. It can use quite a bit of current (depending on the size, of course), and may very well exceed the ratings of the disconnect relay's contacts. Even if it didn't, the additional voltage drop from the relay contacts and the extra wire length is better avoided.

    It sounds like it indeed isn't working as it should, from your brief description. There's no harm in leaving it disconnected from the battery; in this case, that sounds like a very smart course of action. It may be repairable, but likely not economically. If it's not under warranty, I'd suggest researching a replacement unit. (If it is merely its transfer switch relay that is not operating on it, replacing that could be a straightforward and not too expensive repair.)