Inverter HIGH voltage shutdown
This is a new one to me.
Simple plug-in 400W inverter my wife uses in the car to charge/run her computer. Has worked fine over the last 9 months. But just recently during the cold spell, it complained and refused to work.
I assumed it was a low voltage issue, what with the age of the car's battery and the low temperatures, and started looking for a new battery. But then decided to RTFM and, whaddya-know, the error indication was for "High Voltage Shutdown". Hunh?
Turns out the inverter doesn't like anything much over 15V and the chevy cruze's alternator can put out 15.5V when at 90% duty cycle (http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/17-off-topic-discussion/1339-chevy-cruze-regulates-voltage-boost-fuel-economy.html).
Since it was very cold, we were running the heater fan and occasionally the electric defoggers so a 90% duty cycle on the alternator makes sense, although I haven't measured the V myself.
Simple plug-in 400W inverter my wife uses in the car to charge/run her computer. Has worked fine over the last 9 months. But just recently during the cold spell, it complained and refused to work.
I assumed it was a low voltage issue, what with the age of the car's battery and the low temperatures, and started looking for a new battery. But then decided to RTFM and, whaddya-know, the error indication was for "High Voltage Shutdown". Hunh?
Turns out the inverter doesn't like anything much over 15V and the chevy cruze's alternator can put out 15.5V when at 90% duty cycle (http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/17-off-topic-discussion/1339-chevy-cruze-regulates-voltage-boost-fuel-economy.html).
Since it was very cold, we were running the heater fan and occasionally the electric defoggers so a 90% duty cycle on the alternator makes sense, although I haven't measured the V myself.
