Inverter throwing error codes. Mfg. says ok?

rtate wrote:
Well! Looks like I burnt up my inverter. It is not producing any ac power. Must have been something it didnt like about my wiring. The only thing I can think might have caused the problem was tying the common from the inverter to the common in my rv. I only switched the hot between shore power and inverter power. I never actually hooked up to my shore power. I dont understand why?

You never, ever tie the neutrals from separate sources together. There is too much potential to backfeed one source from another. And in stick/brick buildings, it is against code. If you look at any transfer switches on the market, they all switch both the hot and neutral. Some may even switch the ground, but I don't think so.

As to why your inverter quit, other than checking the fuse on the 12V side, it may be a cheaper unit which has no protections on the 120VAC side. Look into something like a Xantrex unit - they are pretty resilient to faults and mis-wiring.

Cheers!
Mike

Hi mlts22,

Yes, the Cobra's are all MSW units. The 2500 watt is rated for use with microwaves and other motor devices. The 1500 also--but of course wattage is a lot lower.

I'm guessing the Cobra 800 is a MSW inverter. This means it likely will have neutral at -60 volts, hot at +60 volts, so the combined is a 120 volt waveform. You can check this by using an AC voltmeter between hot and ground and neutral to ground.

Sometimes electrical devices see current between neutral and ground and register a wiring fault. However with most MSW inverters, 60 or so volts is normal.

I think this Cobra inverter cost $50 or so. Because I use a lot of computer stuff, I'm persnickety about power, so paying 185 bones for a 1000 watt PSW inverter might be a good investment.

I don't know how robust the OP's computer equipment is, but to be on the safe side, I'd rather go with a more expensive PSW inverter. Just replacing 1-2 blown laptop power bricks can easily make up the difference in price between a MSW and a PSW inverter.

Hi,

Time for warranty?

wa8yxm wrote:
Ignore the 3 light tester on small inverters and generators.

How it works
One light is connected hot to neutral (Normal)
One light neutral to ground (reversed)
One Hot to ground (normal)

So what you are saying is you have Normal and Reversed lights on.

The Safety ground is NC (not connected) in small inverters so the reading is false.

Now nothing will work. The green light on the inverter is on indicating everything is ok, but it is not putting out any power and my circuit tester does not have any lights on

Ignore the 3 light tester on small inverters and generators.

How it works
One light is connected hot to neutral (Normal)
One light neutral to ground (reversed)
One Hot to ground (normal)

So what you are saying is you have Normal and Reversed lights on.

The Safety ground is NC (not connected) in small inverters so the reading is false.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Sorry about your problem with the inverter. Did you check the fuse(s) in it?

No. I have not done that yet, but I believe the instructions that came with it said there were no user servicable parts inside. I guess my next attempt will be to switch both the common and hot wires with a double pole, double throw switch. I hate to not use my single pole double throw switch because it cost me $45.

Part of the cost of learning I guess.

Hi,

Sorry about your problem with the inverter. Did you check the fuse(s) in it?

Well! Looks like I burnt up my inverter. It is not producing any ac power. Must have been something it didnt like about my wiring. The only thing I can think might have caused the problem was tying the common from the inverter to the common in my rv. I only switched the hot between shore power and inverter power. I never actually hooked up to my shore power. I dont understand why?

2oldman wrote:
Yes. Circuit testers always show that with inverters.

Mine doesn't.