Portawattz problem..

[m II]

I have been using a 1750 watt Portawattz inverter in the garage.
Yesterday, with only a radio plugged into it, the unit quit working. The
overload light is on and won't go out.

I've tried disconnecting it from the batteries and reconnecting. No
change. It will turn off via the switch, but when turned back on, the
overload light is still on.

This is with NOTHING plugged in.

Is there an easy cure? If not, who fixes these things at a reasonable cost?

Thanks for any advice..



mike

 

[Bill Kaszeta / Photovoltaic Resources]

I have been using a 1750 watt Portawattz inverter in the garage.
Yesterday, with only a radio plugged into it, the unit quit working. The
overload light is on and won't go out.

I've tried disconnecting it from the batteries and reconnecting. No
change. It will turn off via the switch, but when turned back on, the
overload light is still on.

This is with NOTHING plugged in.

Is there an easy cure? If not, who fixes these things at a reasonable cost?

Thanks for any advice..



mike

This is the failure I got on these inverters when I connected neutral
to ground. If in warranty, Xantrex will replace it for close to the cost
of a new unit.
Bill Kaszeta
Photovoltaic Resources Int'l
Tempe Arizona USA
[email protected]

 

[m II]

This is the failure I got on these inverters when I connected neutral
to ground. If in warranty, Xantrex will replace it for close to the cost
of a new unit.

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid of that. If they are being such
greedy pigs, I should look into some other manufacturer who treats their
customers better. Any recommendations?




mike

 

[Windsun]

You can't beat Outback Power, but they might be out of your price range.
http://www.outbackpower.com/

 

[m II]

Those little puppies are awful sensitive and not at all forgiving.
What do you have it powered by? Battery or battery and panel?
Batteries.



Did you check the battery voltage? Is there a panel in there
anywhere? They trip high, as I remember, at voltages approaching 15v
DC. Any chance the polarity got swapped sometime?

roughly 12.6 volts when I plugged in the radio. The inverter died about
an hour after I plugged the radio in.

Well, dude, hope it's as easy as a supply voltage problem.
Otherwise, well, you bought a 1500 watt inverter (only surges to 1750)
for something like 300$ Canadian, what, 200$ USD. They're meant to be,
after the warranty lapses, disposable.

I think you may be right. It doesn't look like there are schematics or
parts available, so I'll take it apart for an autopsy.




mike

 

[m II]

It'll probably be something obvious... any chance it got wet? In any
case, if you decide to continue with that line of product, keep the
old one as a potential spare parts source. BUT make sure you keep the
receipt for the new one, and write down on it, in marker somewhere,
the date of purchase and the expiry date of the warranty.
And keep the receipt in a safe place ;-).

Good advice.

Oh, hey, is there a fuse on the positive input lead (there really
should be)?
Did you check it?

x


Yes. I had a sixty amp fuse in the line. It's ok.

Oh well..It looks like it's going to be spare parts.


mike

 

[m II]

You can't beat Outback Power, but they might be out of your price range.
http://www.outbackpower.com/

I'm starting to think that regular replacement of a cheap inverter is
out of my price range.


mike