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Shack · 19-03-2011, 11:21

Before I pitch this thing overboard, does anyone have a recommendation on how fix it?

The inverter I acquired with my boat is only putting out 73VAC when unloaded and 88VAC when loaded. Brand name “Genius Power”, Model G-12-100. The company website is down, and I can find no manuals online. I can find no obvious means of adjusting the output, unless there is some kind of manual adjsutment inside the case.

Thanks

LakeSuperior · 19-03-2011, 11:23

Be sure your batteries are fully charged. Then make sure the inverters not pulling your battery voltage down.

senormechanico · 19-03-2011, 16:40

If it's a modified sine wave inverter, most meters won't accurately read the output, as they're designed to see a sine wave.
Fluke meters should give you an accurate reading.
What problem do you have, or are you just relying on a meter?

smurphny · 19-03-2011, 16:46

Check that line side wire size and run are adequate. They need a fairly hefty cable.

Lancerbye · 19-03-2011, 19:51

Since the output voltage is greater under load, the problem may be difficult to troubleshoot online. My suspicions would be in the circuitry that controls the output and develops the frequency. Unless you are an experienced electronic tech my advice would be to find one. The circuits in inverters are quite involved.

Bill Burgette · 19-03-2011, 20:44

What is the input voltage when loaded vs unloaded. Thinking about a shorted MOSFET dragging it down or an open MOSFET not allowing full power. Since it's working some I tend to believe the chips that allow the outputs to alternate are OK. Are you taking the 120 volt readings with it open or with a load on it. Verify that you have the correct input voltage, put a light load on the 120 volt side and check the input and output loaded and unloaded.

Let us know. Thanks and have a great day.

goboatingnow · 20-03-2011, 03:09

Any number of things could be wrong , feedback loop components , modified sine wave oscillator , power stages. You really at the very least need an oscilloscope and a circuit diagram.

Dump it.

Dave

Shack · 20-03-2011, 14:37

Thanks for all the feed back, guys.
-Input voltage is good. Running off battery chargers and the outputs are in the 13VDC range.

SeniorMechanico...
-I'm only using a multi-meter to check the AC volts. Is is possible that the meter is only reading 1/2 the wave voltage?
- I have no other symptoms, I plugged in a vaccum cleaner(750w) and it seemed to work ok. I'm afraid to plug any electronic components into it until I can be assured that the output won't cause them permanent damage.

senormechanico · 20-03-2011, 15:49

Try an incandescent light bulb and compare the light output with grid supplied power.
If it's the same brightness on both, you're good to go.

Therapy · 20-03-2011, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Try an incandescent light bulb and compare the light output with grid supplied power.
If it's the same brightness on both, you're good to go.

Visual volt meter.

Cool!

Learn something every day.

Then I was thinking.......next year they will be illeagal to sell.

Sheeeiitt. What next?

goboatingnow · 20-03-2011, 16:01

Agh ok. What I suspect you have is that the inverter is in standby mode. Some invertors put out about 80 or so volts so that any device plugged in causes the invertor to automatically come out of standby. This is usually a selectable option. The reason you're reading a low voltage is that the multimeter isn't a big enough load to cause the inverter to come out of standby ( sometimes called power save mode). I suspect the units working fine. Put a load on it and then measure the AC voltage.

Dave

Bill Burgette · 20-03-2011, 16:19

^^^^Yep, what he said about the load and try again. I wanted that to happen earlier too. Must be something on our minds.

Quote:

put a light load on the 120 volt side and check the input and output loaded and unloaded.

Good luck.

capnorv · 20-03-2011, 16:24

Used a modified sinewave inverter on the house for years and had no electronic problems until we got a Maytag Neptune washer. Faulted 10-20 times a load! you don't say if you're reading an analog or digital meter, but your reading sounds about right for a good quality analog to ground reading.

Lancerbye · 20-03-2011, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnorv

Used a modified sinewave inverter on the house for years and had no electronic problems until we got a Maytag Neptune washer. Faulted 10-20 times a load! you don't say if you're reading an analog or digital meter, but your reading sounds about right for a good quality analog to ground reading.

I have the same problem with a combo washer/dryer from Splendide. Electronics in these units don't like the modified sine wave. Use the generator or shore power to wash clothes.