Inverter and battery fumes

[Jetta03]

So last year I upgraded my battery box on the tongue to a diamond plate box containing my 2 grp 27 12 volt batteries. The box was big enough to install the batteries and to build a smaller sealed off compartment for a 1000 watt pure sine inverter. The battery compartment and the inverter compartment are separated and sealed from one another, and both are vented separately to the outside, the inverter for cooling and the batteries for ventilation of fumes.

The 1000watt inverter just died on our last trip. It's a cheap version from our local Canadian Tire store and they replaced it free under warranty. My question is could this failure be due to issues from battery fumes even though I've separated the compartments?

The failed inverter had bits shaking around inside it so I'm guessing this was a quality related issue, but I'd like to avoid it happening again if possible 🙂

Thx

[pianotuna]

Hi Mex,

Alas Canada has removed the penny entirely. It used to be pure copper here.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

A copper plated zinc disc? Never worked not even in tar top batteries. Why? The transformation of sulfuric acid into an oxide is about 1/2% as effective as it's change into a salt via a high PH media (sodium bicarbonate. Worked especially unwell if you tossed a handful of salt over your left shoulder and hung a dead chicken on your door.

[westend]

Yup, probably vibration got the inverter if it has components rattling.

More on Mex's sacrificial anode idea: Does anyone still put a new penny against their battery terminals? That was a tradition in some shops.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I use a canary in suspicious locations.

A piece of shiny bright copper with no coating whatsoever. A light sanding gives the most sensitive finish. Use two pieces of copper if you're curious enough. If the one nearer the batteries causes the copper to discolor faster or more profound then that is more than a dead giveaway.

[RoyB]

I think the reason for not installing an Inverter next to a battery is two-fold.

In addition to the battery fumes emitting corrosive gas that will eat up metal components over time, the Inverter circuits and internal relays may spark the battery gas and cause an explosion.

Just something else to think about where to install your Inverter...

Roy Ken

[wintersun]

electronic devices do not do well in general with mechanical stress. With your inverter though I would bet that the problem was overheating in the enclosed compartment. Good idea to have venting holes at bottom and on the sides near the top of the enclosure so that convective heat will cause air to circulate and cooler air from the outide into the enclosure.

[pianotuna]

Hi Jetta03,

Inadequate venting might be a cause. Inverters running flat out produce lots of heat.

[Jetta03]

Thx for the ideas, I think this time around I'll add a rubber pad where it is mounted and see if i can get a bit more life from this one. Being from Canadian tire at least the warranty support is good, I walked in with old inverter and receipt, walked out with new inverter in less than 10 minutes 🙂

[mena661]

BFL13 wrote:
AFAIK, it takes years for the battery fume thing to work its way through.

X2, I had my inverter and an old converter in the same compartment as my batteries for a couple of years. No corrosion and no issues.

[BFL13]

I have that same inverter ISTR, and it is exposed to battery fumes somewhat. No problems. I think yours must have some physical damage, based on the description.

AFAIK, it takes years for the battery fume thing to work its way through.

I am very happy with the 1000w PSW inverter. It was cheap on sale at the time for sure, but going strong. (Xantrex model rebranded for Can Tire house brand 'Eliminator' )

[2oldman]

If it's cheap, and enough vibration, that could do it.

[midnightsadie]

I like your idea of mounting it on rubber supports.

[Jetta03]

Mounted horizontally on its side. There are no signs of corrosion anywhere in the battery box. Inverter terminals are like new, as are battery terminals and all connections.

Not sure how much vibration there would be on the trailer tongue, I suppose I could rubber mount it if that might help.

[bartlettj]

How was the inverter mounted? It could be from vibration. If the terminals on the inverter aren't corroded then it wasn't battery fumes.