Troubleshooting (Faq) - Projecta PW150 User Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING/FAQ:
Q. Why does the inverter turn itself off?
A. If the inverter's audible alarm sounds and a fault L.E.D illuminates, this indicates that there is
a fault or error, and the inverter may turn off. Most commonly this would be caused by an
appliance that is drawing too much power (overloading), low battery voltage or voltage drop
due to insufficient size cables or poor connections (refer to 'Understanding your Inverter'
tables, page 7).
Q. The Inverter will not run my appliance even though the appliance draws less power
(Watts) than the size of the inverter?
A. Electrical appliances can be divided into three groups by the way they draw energy (current)
from their power supply. These groups are "Resistive", "Inductive" and "Capacitive" appliances
or also called "loads". Some appliances may draw all three types of power.
Resistive Loads such as normal incandescent lights (wire filament) always draw a constant
power (watts) from the power supply, that is a 100 Watt light will draw approximately
100 Watts from the power supply at all times. Resistive loads are the easiest appliances
for an inverter to run.
Inductive Loads such as a refrigerator (Electric Motor) require a large rush of power (surge
current) to start and then usually draw a more constant power once running. Inductive loads
contain coils of wire (motors, transformers, ballasts, solenoids). When the power is first turned on,
these coils of wire draw a large surge current which forms the magnetic flux (magnetic field)
which allows these appliances to work. This magnetic flux is a kind of stored energy.
The most common inductive appliances are: fridges, air compressors, transformers/ chargers,
pumps, power tools and fluorescent lights. These appliances can draw up to 10 times their normal
running power to start up; that is to run a 80W fridge you may need a 600 or 1000 Watt inverter.
Capacitive Loads such as many TV's or many electronic appliances require a large surge current
to start only when they have not been used for a while. This is often due to large capacitors in the
power supply that must be quickly charged when the appliance is turned on. If the appliance is not
used for a few days these capacitors slowly go flat. Resetting the inverter a couple of times may
allow these appliances to work.
There are some appliances such as large refrigerators, air conditioners and other pump driven
appliances that have extremely high start up currents, because they have an inductive motor
that must start under load. These appliances are not recommended for use with an inverter.
They should be powered by an engine driven generator.
Q. Why does it damage the inverter if the battery leads are reverse-connected?
A. Your inverter uses sophisticated electronics to convert DC battery power to AC mains power.
If you accidentally connect the inverter to the battery incorrectly (reverse polarity) a large current
will be drawn by the inverter which will blow the protection fuse. As this occurs some of the high
current could damage sensitive electronic components. Because of this risk it is important to
always double-check the battery polarity before making any connections.
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