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I have a 300/600w Giandel Pure Sine Wave Inverter that cost about $89. I have had it for about 4 years and it is one of the best pieces of kit I have bought. I have used it on a lot of sensitive equipment as I bought it as an alternative to a 12v transformer unit to run my laptop - now I just plug the laptop into the inverter and have a unit that I can use for other items as well.
I think Giandel is a quality item even if it is Chinese.
Garry
Homestar you mentioned having to wreck something to install an earth, I'm just saying these actually have an earthing point on their chassis.
What it will or will not do I can't say, it's certainly not in my field of expertise.
But I'm prepared to take the word of a reputable caravan repairer, something I have not done at this stage but I will as you have brought it up.
My thanks if you have saved our bacon.[smilebigeye]
I've just re read your post and you mention it being as hard wired into a caravan, I'm not sure how my setup affects it but it is wired to an outlet fitted below the input fixtures, I run a short cable from the outlet to the inlet when stopping if I think we are going to use 240. Maybe this is not a safe way of doing it but it seemed practical for me. I cannot hook up to 240 and the inverter at the same time, they are isolated.
Cheers
Mike
Not wreck anything - and nothing to do with the external earth point on the inverter. The neutral of the inverter must be earthed - most that are just designed to plug something into don't have this aren't designed to have this done. You just need to ensure that if installing an inverter in a caravan as a fixed item running back to the vans distribution board, it must be able to have its neutral earthed.
eBays dispute process is only useful if you're alive to tell the tale. Homestars analysis of the situation is pretty spot on. Australia has a Mains Earth Neutral System which basically means one side of the 240 volt grid supply is earthed. This is a major safety component of 240v distribution. Quality inverter/chargers such as Victron extend this protection to the consumer when connected to the mains and re create it when battery powered. A bit difficult to explain but the short story is if you want a decent, reliable and SAFE 240v inverter buy a quality inverter such as Victron. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Milton477
Deano :)
Hmm, as far as I know the MEN system means "Multiple Earthed Neutral". The Multiple being the very reason for it.Quote:
Mains Earth Neutral System
Not multiple - Only 1 MEN connection allowed in an installation to prevent paralleling neutral current down the earth...
Yes, as may be, but the multiple comes from the fact that ALL the neutrals on the load side of a mains distribution transformer, including the transformer star point, are connected to ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by Homestar
Yes, but it's called a mains earth neutral in the Reg book now. Multiple earthed neutral as a term was dropped in the last Reg book or even the one before.
Thanks for all of the replies, just the sort of information that is really useful.
Just to be clear, this is not going to be a permanent installation. The regular caravan power cable will need to be plugged into the inverter & then the caravan just as with shore power.
Also, I am well aware that sticking your fingers in the plug when on inverter or generator power will result in an electric shock & possible death. The standard RCD or earth leakage will not protect you. To be protected in this situation one would need an RVD I believe it is called. I will explore this option, Drivesafe, are you still involved with these new devices?
Thanks again.
Rory.
Fair enough! My contractors licence expired years ago, along with SAA rules book it seems! Nothing sacred anymore!Quote:
Originally Posted by Homestar