Inverter. What am I missing?

Five years ago I have a new to me TC that has 4 AGM batts, a 2000w 3 stage inverter and a converter where all of the AC/DC wiring goes through along with switches and fuses. First time I try using the micro(1600w), it trips the inverter overload. Batteries are new and topped up. I disconnect everything that might be using juice and try the micro again. Same thing, trip the overload. Plug in a hair dryer(1200w) and have a string of construction lights that have the screw in sockets and start adding 100w bulbs. After 2 or 3 bulbs it trips the overloads in the inverter. Where is this extra draw on the inverter coming from?

Anybody ? Yes, it is the converter. It now has tape across it,s mouth ,I mean it,s main disconnect switch permanently.

Batteries power inverter to power micro, but inverter programmed to power converter when it is on, to power the batteries. Now isn't that just a nice cozy little three some to waste battery power.

Dave

deltabravo wrote:
It was a common question we'd get in the tech support department

Unbelievable :)

2oldman wrote:

Cougarnewbie wrote:
Inverter to power converter. Converter to keep battery charged and enough to run furnace.

Perpetual motion machines don't work. No, you can't charge the battery using the same battery.

x2. You can't get something for nothing. Due to the inefficiency of both devices, all you end up with is dead batteries (eventually).

It was a common question we'd get in the tech support department when I worked for Heart Interface, which is now Xantrex.

Maybe one can say "whoosh!", as other than draining the battery due to the inverter's overhead, I just don't see any reason to do this, other than to test the converter with the inverter's power output.

If the OP had one set of batteries, and was wanting to have it help charge another set, I'd recommend an Amp-L-Start or Trik-L-Start device. DC-DC, no waste of electricity going to 120VAC and back.

Hi,

If you had a 24 volt battery bank, then the oem converter might be powered via an inverter to provide for 12 volt needs.

mkirsch wrote:
Even if the OP wasn't trolling or seriously trying to break the laws of physics...

WHY would you ever need to power the CONverter with an INverter off the onboard battery to run 12V appliances?

Even if the OP wasn't trolling or seriously trying to break the laws of physics...

WHY would you ever need to power the CONverter with an INverter off the onboard battery to run 12V appliances?

DrewE wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
What are you wanting to power with this 2000W inverter and what do you have for batteries? Trying to understand your end goal here.

The end goal was pretty clearly stated, I thought—basically to break the law of conservation of energy and produce electrical energy out of nothing. It's a nice goal to have, but not very realistic.

I was hoping he was simply asking the charging questions as a result of wanting to use the shore power cord and not knowing he could disable the converter with a breaker switch. BUT if his end goal truly was to charge his batteries with the inverter then yes its an unrealistic end goal.

Cougarnewbie wrote:
We would like to boondock over night in cold weather. I want to power a Harbor Freight 2000w. modified sine wave inverter from my 5ver battery, than plug in my trailer's 30amp power cord to my WFCO 8955 converter into the AC plug on the inverter.

You'll end up losing energy, not making energy.

If you do need an inverter for some loads OTHER than the above idea of charging the battery - use it, and, as Don noted, turn inverter off when not in use. This will conserve a lot of energy.

If you need to spend one night in cold weather, get a space heater and a warm duvet.

Further, if boondocking, leave the inverter off except when it is actually in use. I go so far as to remove the DC power from the inverter.

Cougarnewbie wrote:
My guess is no, but I don't know why.
Thanks
AL

At no stage of your loop is something that creates energy; all your connections just move it. You need some kind of power 'creator' in your loop to keep it moving.