Thread: Question about inverter

Originally Posted by Presto

Hi All,

I have a Projecta 1000W Inverter (Projecta) fitted to my camper trailer, and the first few experiences have left me in a panic.... especially when I have just setup camp and the fault suggests that both 100ah batteries are dead!

When I plug in the appliances and turn on the inverter, often it will cry out and show a fault (beeps and red fault light comes on). If I turn the inverter on and leave it a few minutes, I can then plug in the appliances without any issues. Is this simply because the inverter needs some time to charge up it's fancy magic electrics before it can be called to duty?

Any info or insight appreciated!

Ah, yes, I had one of those for a short while until I realised there are tons of better inverters available. Be aware it is a "modified sine wave" type that will be unkind to any appliance running an iron cored transformer or fluoro ballast. It heats them up with the choppy wave form. Switch-mode supplies and basic power tools are OK. You are better off getting a pure sine wave type, such as the Jaycar one.

You should never switch on the inverter with a load plugged in. Your inverter will see a fault and complain as you have found out. Mine took only a second or two to clear the fault alarm after switching it off and on again. Just wait for the green light to come on and you're off.

I hope the inverter is connected directly to the batteries, using only the length of cables supplied. Longer cables will cause a flat battery warning with a moderate load.