Aims PSW Inverters ? Any Bad?

[RJsfishin]

Anyone know any problems w/ these inverters ?http://www.theinverterstore.com/300-watt-pure-sine-wave-inverter.html
Seems like a good price ?

[westend]

Any chance you have a source of power at say, 13.2 v to feed the inverter? That may indicate that the voltage trip for the alarm is wonky and not a connection problem of any kind. Maybe you've already established this and I missed it in the thread. If so, disregard.

[Kemahsabe]

As I mentioned above, the unit has a hardwired power cord. There are no inverter terminals. So, as far as I'm concerned the AIMS equipment starts at the power plug they supplied. In any case, I doubt that there's a 1.2 volt drop over that 24" cord.

I very carefully measured the voltage the unit sees at it's plug (where AIMS' responsibility starts) and determined the low voltage alarm starts at 12 ±.2 volts instead of the listed 10.8 volts. It's possible there's a short negative voltage spike that sets it off. If so it should quit beeping when the voltage comes back up above 10.8v, shouldn't it? I've opened the case and muffled the beeper somewhat, but it's still infuriating. As was AIMS' response to the problem.

[pianotuna]

Hi Kem,

You need to measure at the inverter terminals.

[Kemahsabe]

Where it connects to the power source.

[pianotuna]

Hi Kem,

At the inverter end or the part where it connects to the power source?

[Kemahsabe]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Kem,

How are you measuring that 12 volts? How thick are the wires feeding the unit?

The inverter came with a hard-wired cord about 24" long. Probably 14 or 16 gauge. I measured the voltage at the end of that 24" cord.

[pianotuna]

Hi Kem,

How are you measuring that 12 volts? How thick are the wires feeding the unit?

[mena661]

Kemahsabe wrote:

Of course. What other voltage would it trigger on? This unit triggers when it "sees" 12 volts.

Oh so you're just here to complain. BFL and others probably thought you were looking for help. No need for the smart #$$ comment.

[3_tons]

Kemahsabe wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
The low voltage alarm is triggered by the voltage the inverter "sees" at its end of the wiring to the batteries.

Of course. What other voltage would it trigger on? This unit triggers when it "sees" 12 volts.

Okay, checking the AIMS website, I assume you are talking about the 180w PWRI 180 12s pure sine inverter. However this inverter has no voltage readout. Question, where are you reading your 12 volts at??

[Kemahsabe]

BFL13 wrote:
The low voltage alarm is triggered by the voltage the inverter "sees" at its end of the wiring to the batteries.

Of course. What other voltage would it trigger on? This unit triggers when it "sees" 12 volts.

[BFL13]

The low voltage alarm is triggered by the voltage the inverter "sees" at its end of the wiring to the batteries. Also the wire gauge and length must be appropriate for that alarm voltage to be "right."

[Kemahsabe]

I bought a 180w AIMS to power a computer, printer, and other electronics in my truck. The unit is supposed to signal a low battery at 10.8 volts. Actually, any momentary dip below 12 volts will start the d@mn thing beeping, and it won't shut the h3ll up until you turn it off and on!! Drives me crazy!!

I contacted AIMS and they said, "That's not possible and besides, you're out of warranty. So, bye-bye!". So much for customer service.

[ICamel]

I have had that exact model and it has worked fine for 7 years. I have had to change the fuse inside on two occasions, but other than that no problems.

[mena661]

You have to read the reviews and see what problems they had. I've read bad reviews where it was obvious that the reviewers simply didn't understand the product.