Thread: Inverters - WARNING - Ramblings of a ****ed off purchaser

Originally Posted by 101 Ron

The other secret is they need serious 12 volt current , so the power cables need to reflect this.
PIC below is the one in my camper.............it is in a storage compartment and eats dust for breakfast.
008.jpg Photo by 101Ron | Photobucket

Projecta 600w Power Inverter I/N 4330002 | Bunnings Warehouse

Yeah, power cables are huge for a 360 watt unit (25mm) and the unit was mounted next to the battery so only a short run. Mine also lived in a similar location so it's got me stuffed why they die.

Compact flouros have been known to kill inverters, can't remember why though.
Selectronics make good gear
I will go that way, when and if my projecta inverters die

Originally Posted by bacicat

Thanks for that.

I'll probably have to stick it all back together now it's in pieces on my workbench...

Didn't damage it though, should be able to make it look like new. I'll have another crack tomorrow.

No problem at all mate stuff them warranty means stuff all now consumer laws are the best thing to run off and obviously it wasn't long lasting or of quality have a read and memerise it haha then stick it to them!!

Gav,, did you end up opening it up?

how many batts and solar panels could you have bought for all these inverters,,,

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Gav,, did you end up opening it up?

how many batts and solar panels could you have bought for all these inverters,,,

Don't remind me! Spent around $800 on them now, but hopefully this last one I've bought will give me years of trouble free service... I wonder if I've got Ron's disease!

The Selectronic LD600-12 I bought on ebay the other day is on its way, so looking forward to getting my mitts on that and cracking it open to see what makes it tick...

Yeah, cracked it open and nothing obvious. Run some basic tests and it is drawing a good whack of current (8.2 amps) on the input with nothing on the output, so it really has a short in it, but it will be an internal component. Main power supply caps are cheap arse Chinese units, so I wouldn't be surprised if one of those has let go.

I've got to bring the soldering iron in later anyway so I might have a bit more of a play.

I don't have a scope any more - I've always had access to decent ones at work up until I started this job - so I can't get too in depth at the moment if it's not something basic, but I'll see what I can sort out with some good old know how and a decent meter.

The eBAY seller of the used Selectronic LD600 has another one for sale and looking at his sales history he has sold quite a few of them. Probably ex Ambulance as per below. Also a brand new one on Gumtree for $500 (Perth)

The LD600 is the quiet achiever of the Selectronic Blue Series. The NSW Ambulance Service now fits them as standard equipment to all of its vehicles. After years of difficulties with low cost imported inverters they made the change to the LD600 in 2007. Over 100 NSW ambulances now run an LD600 for their AC power and not one has had to be returned to us for service. Adjustable demand start and low battery protect circuitry and an AC hardwire junction box at the rear are just some of the standard features. And don't be fooled by the 600 Watt rating. It sounds small but Selectronic specifications are very conservative. The LD600 will supply 600 Watts continuous and 1500 Watts surge at a full 240V. Because the AC voltage stays high and doesn't "Brownout" even medium sized electric motors will start with the LD600. The LD600 will easily run medium sized loads including, Small automatic washing machines, Power tools or a Small microwave. It is the perfect inverter for medium duty mobile applications, small cabins and houseboats.

Yeah, the seller I bought from seems to do a lot of this stuff. There's no way I could afford the $1,200 for a new one, but after reading up on them thought a second hand one would be worth a shot. I like the adjustable demand start on it - it was the biggest bug in the old system that once I'd finished with it for the night I would have to physically switch it off. My lights are 5 watt LED so if I turn it down low, it should wake up when I turn a light on.

Well, the new (to me) secondhand Selectronic inverter arrived Friday, but been away so only just opened it up to play with. What a cracker of a unit! Should have gone this way to start with.

It is as new - clean as a whistle inside and out. Works good too, which is the main thing. Turn all the appliances off and within a few seconds it goes to sleep and draws bugger all current. Turn a light or a phone charger on and it wakes up immediately and starts making volts.

Ideal for my use as I won't have to turn it off at night now to conserve my batteries, it does it for me.

Now to find a nice dry, comfortable spot for it, so I don't have to have this discussion again....