Inverter damage to alternator and charging circuit
I just finished installing a 1000 watt inverter connected directly to my house batteries.
My RV is a 1998 Triple E commander on a P30 chassis.
The install was a breeze and everything worked perfectly. Tested the whole thing in my driveway and it was producing good 120V. It has a cut off remote switch and I put it at the off position.
Next I took my RV on the road back to its parking lot and on the boulevard before the highway I heard some type of high pitch sound. Well as soon as I was on the highway my alternator died or at least it was not charging anymore.
Before running into a more serious problem (stuck on the highway) I hit the switch to transfer power from house batteries to chassis battery.
The voltage went from around 9V to 12V. If I ket the switch I was back to 9V.
Anyhow got to the exit for my parking and then 14V the alternator went back online.
Parked the RV then started the engine again and only 9v once more.
Went to the house batteries and disconnected the Inverter.
Push the button to transfer the house batteries to the chassis battery to be able to start the engine. I have 12V engine starts and I am back to14V (alternator is charging).
From that point on I turned everything on (lights, AC, etc.) I am still charging. Over the next hour tested it so many times and alternator is always charging.
What the heck did I do wrong in connecting the inverter? or is this just bad luck and the alternator decided to play on me at the same time.
I have the feeling that the alternator is not at fault but some type of controller for current.
Ideas ?
My RV is a 1998 Triple E commander on a P30 chassis.
The install was a breeze and everything worked perfectly. Tested the whole thing in my driveway and it was producing good 120V. It has a cut off remote switch and I put it at the off position.
Next I took my RV on the road back to its parking lot and on the boulevard before the highway I heard some type of high pitch sound. Well as soon as I was on the highway my alternator died or at least it was not charging anymore.
Before running into a more serious problem (stuck on the highway) I hit the switch to transfer power from house batteries to chassis battery.
The voltage went from around 9V to 12V. If I ket the switch I was back to 9V.
Anyhow got to the exit for my parking and then 14V the alternator went back online.
Parked the RV then started the engine again and only 9v once more.
Went to the house batteries and disconnected the Inverter.
Push the button to transfer the house batteries to the chassis battery to be able to start the engine. I have 12V engine starts and I am back to14V (alternator is charging).
From that point on I turned everything on (lights, AC, etc.) I am still charging. Over the next hour tested it so many times and alternator is always charging.
What the heck did I do wrong in connecting the inverter? or is this just bad luck and the alternator decided to play on me at the same time.
I have the feeling that the alternator is not at fault but some type of controller for current.
Ideas ?
