Inverter problem now...

[Greynomad]

Well, today we took Girt to Springers Solar in Tingalpa (Brisbane).

Eddie Springer crawled in & out & over our inverter, then pronounced it officially deceased.

It's OK on passing 240v through, but can no longer generate 240v from the 12v house batteries.

So we're upgrading from 1500W to 2000W with a MultiPlus inverter/charger replacing our original Dakar.

While we're at it, I'm having the original basic solar regulator upgraded to a Dingo 20A and moving it from the under-floor box - a stupid location - to inside (by the fridge) so we can conveniently read what's going in & out of our batteries in real-time.

It's all scheduled to happen next Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions & help in tracking the problem.

Unfortunately it took someone on-the-spot with electrical knowledge. My basic knowledge was not enough, even with your suggestions and the instruction manual for my multi-meter. I'll stick to using it to check my AA and AAA batteries.

[T1 Terry]

Looking forward to a report on the Victron Multiplus, expensive but a great piece of gear. I'm sure you will be happy with the Plasmatronics Dingo, then when you upgrade to kithium batteries you can easily reprogram the Dingo to suit the new batteries

[oldtrack123]

[a]Unfortunately it took someone on-the-spot with electrical knowledge. My basic knowledge was not enough, even with your suggestions and the instruction manual for my multi-meter.

I'll stick to using it to check my AA and AAA batteries.

Hi
[a] yes, fully understandable & often the case, remote fault finding can only go so far

A wise decision when/ where voltages above 50V AC are concerned
No matter what the source!!!


PeterQ

[Craig]

What brand was the old solar regulator Ray?

Craig

[Greynomad]

It's a Steca Sigma 20A.
Had to stick my head inside the under-floor storage box to read the name... that's why it's being replaced. Apart from the fact that its 'reporting' system consists of two lights which change from red to green.
The lights are recessed into the regulator body, so they can't be seen standing outside the box. You actually have to stick your head into the box to have any chance of seeing the lights.
Stupid.
Might have been OK if mounted inside the m/h, where you could move your head to view them... but not in an under-floor box.

[Greynomad]

Well, the new 2000W inverter is installed, and the Dingo solar regulator is also installed - inside, where we can read it without sticking head into under-floor box!
The inverter will run the microwave up to 'medium' power, plenty good enough to boil a mug for tea/coffee. It will also run our new ($10 @ Big W) electric toaster, far faster than 5 minutes under the gas griller! Toaster is labelled 750W, but the Dingo shows only 60W drain. Hmmm. Whatever, it works, and that's a Good Thing.
I'm chuffed I can now check battery state of charge, solar input, output, and lots of cool stuff. Looks good, too. Not the 'heat-sink/industrial' look of the PL20 & 40. All cabling & connections neatly covered.

Not only that, our diesel heater is now whole again & functioning.
Fixed at no charge by Dometic - after I sent the CEO a letter written on asbestos.
Bluddy thing Failed To Proceed after 25 months... and it has a 2 year warranty.
Dometic Melb tried to argue it had a 12 month warranty, despite their website banner saying "2 year full warranty"...
Also told me the faulty PCB (digital control board) RRP was $1000! But they'd cut me a 'special deal' at $500.
Told them to stick it where the sun don't shine, and left Melb with heater not only not fuctional, but not complete... they held onto the PCB!
Fortuitously, Dometic's HQ is in Brisbane. I wrote to the CEO demanding a new heater. In not very polite terms. They offered to replace the PCB free, which I accepted. The National Technical Director came to us to fix it. Then he found the fan was part of the problem. Apparently, the PCB checks the fuel supply, the ignition needle, and the fan before issuing the 'GO' order. A negative from any of the three triggers an 'abort' signal. Heater had to go back to HQ for a new fan, then Tech Director returned to fit it personally.
A stern letter quoting ACCC and Australian Consumer Law can occasionally work wonders...

[Dot]

I have no idea on all that tech terminology you used but I do understand that you wrote to the head honcho and told him you were not happy and so things got done to make you and your good wife very happy.. Proud of you Ray, good gonads huh

[T1 Terry]

Toaster is labelled 750W, but the Dingo shows only 60W drain. Hmmm. Whatever, it works, and that's a Good Thing.

I think the Dingo is telling you it is drawing 60 amps @12.5v = 750w. They are a great piece of gear, the PL20 was good, but the dingo is better, both in looks and functionality, the forwards or backward option through the menu screens and settings is great, the PL series only had forward, if you messed up a setting you had to go all the way through and start again. Both work very well and are ultra reliable, the Dingo is just that bit nicer on the eye.
The Victron Multiplus inverter/charger is an amazing bit of gear isn't, that setting so it limits the amount it draws on the mains to prevent the circuit breaker from tripping and making up the difference with the inverter from the batteries is a very clever arrangement, also they way it can adjust the battery charger output so it's requirements combined with the house load doesn't trip the circuit breaker either. They aren't cheap but they sure are good.

[Kelvin12]

Isn't it a shame Dometic can't clean up there act. For years now all I have ever heard is complaints about their products, from rip it out to its just rubbish.

Dirk

[Wilbor]

Isn't it a shame Dometic can't clean up there act. For years now all I have ever heard is complaints about their products, from rip it out to its just rubbish.

Dirk

I can't complain about Dometic, I have had great service from them