A warning about inverters

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Originally Posted by Wil2k

Hey all..

Anyhoo.. just thought I'd share :D

Cheers

Wil

** Ps.. that earth point on your inverter... use it. Stake it and use it! Safety first kids!

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I think that an inverter is a bit like a double insulated device and does not need an earth.

We need a real sparkie to pipe in here but my understanding is that and earth is a means by which to ensure your ELCB works or prevents metal chassis from staying live as they blow the fuse or circuit braker before anyone can get hurt. Otherwise an earth is just an extra connection to which you can hook yourself up to when you are holding an active in your hand (knowingly or not.)

An old sparkie....just an ember now! Apologies to the others with newer knowledge for the simplified explanation.
Normal earthing relies on a low resistance to draw a high current and blow the fuse.
ELCB - Earth leakage cicuit breaker measures the current going to earth. If it rises above a certain level (30mA?? grey matter failing) it trips out.
RCD -Residual current device. Compares the current going in and out (active and neutral) and earth. If more current is going in than going out it must be going somewhere and again trips out.
This is why some resistive or capacitive loads like motors or fridge compressors or large banks of fluro lights would trip these devices out.

EDIT: ELCB and RCD trip out very fast typically 10mS, a full alternating current cycle (sine wave) takes ~16mS. So the electricity is disconnected much faster than a heartbeat so you don't go into defib.

Hi shining, while off subject but this may interest you.

In some set ups, both inverters and generators will not trip a standard RCD, BUT, an Australian invention is just coming on to the market that over comes this problem ( and many others ).

The device is called a Universal RCD and is the worlds safest RCD.

I’m NOT an electrician so I won’t go into the specifics but I hope to be marketing these URCDs in my motor home and caravan AC panels in the next week or so.

It’s great to see an Australian invention leading the world.

This thread was always going to be about scrambled eggs!:twisted:
Milk works, cream works...... try ORANGE JUICE!
The whole thing is you need something to curdle the eggs and then you FOLD them with a spoon or gently with a fork......NEVER a whisk as it puts too much air into the eggs....save the whisk for omelettes (but that is in another thread lol).
Orange juice doesn't effect the flavour (surprisingly)and makes for the best colour you have ever seen in scrambled eggs! Best part is, you don't tend to get the water deparation usually associated with the use of dairy), 2nd best part is, it is easier to keep than fresh milk/cream when travelling. BTW, UHT, or Longlife milk doesn't work that well in scrambled eggs.... some may/will argue but it doesn't imho

Hi Drivesafe,

Google is my friend. Yes they look fast and sensitive. Very Good.

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Originally Posted by newhue

yeh, now I'm all embarrassed.
Scrambled eggs, the whisk does such a good job, all fluffy like.

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An easier way is to put your fridge in the rear of a series landie with the eggs in it.

Dave.

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Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

An easier way is to put your fridge in the rear of a series landie with the eggs in it.

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*falls about laughing!* :D

I have an inverter, but only use it while motor running, usually to charge things as I am moving.
Alarm set at 10.5V but shuts off at 10V.

As has been said, I reckon it is to protect the inverter rather than my battery.

.

I got a bit creative and built a battery voltage monitor (Jaycar kit) and added a buzzer to it. I can set the monitor to raise the alarm at a preset voltage, and when it drops below that I get a red LED status light and a small buzzer going off.

I've built the circuit into the space above the cargo are accessory socket and used the blank panel that the rear seat headphones / remotes would occupy in a posher edition. Two small holes, cables directly down to socket. Piggy backed off the existing connectors. easymode!

I looked at a bunch of pre-made options from jaycar and auto suppliers, but this suited me better. LED is easily visible from outside the car, and at the rear (where most camping takes place in my case). Also (in my case) most longer usage of accessories when stationary (eg for camping) tends to be via this socket.

Tested it out, ran my laptop off the inverter for well over an hour before it triggered at a smidge below 12v. Crank battery had no dramas starting again. I'd like to set it more precisely that the trimpot allows though, so i may replace it with a finer range one OR fixed resistors.

Will post pics if anyone is interested. Cost under $15.

Little OT but last blackout we had, my wife was in the middle of placing a business order online required within a 30min deadline. She's screaming, cursing anything and everyone. I ran a lead out to the inverter in the Disco and powered up the modem, router and notebook. She queried where I was getting power? "From that thing in the Disco you think is a waste of money!" I replied.

It's nice to be validated sometimes.