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Old 02-10-2008, 07:56 PM   #1
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Inverter Problems Help!!!!

I just picked up my new SMB EB50 from SMB West and during the trip home we tried to use the microwave with the inverter and it didn't work the Yellow inverting light would blink and the microwave would blick on and off and would not come fully on. The microwave worked fine on shore power. Any ideas? I will be contacting SMB first thing tomorrow for a fix.

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Old 02-10-2008, 08:55 PM   #2
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How big is the invertor? A microwave that size draws about 1050W (my kitchen M/W which was originally for the SMB) so your invertor needs to be bigger. That's the only thing I can think of, assuming you're doing everything right (like giving the invertor a bit to power up before hitting the M/W)
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Old 02-10-2008, 09:35 PM   #3
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I have the Triplite 2000 watt inverter. The microwave draws 1200 watts. We also made sure that nothing else was plugged in. Is there a certain amount of time we should wait for it to make power? The micrwave screen would just blink for maybe 30-40 seconds before we would turn off the inverter.
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Old 02-10-2008, 09:44 PM   #4
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I had a similar problem w/ mine and it turned out that I needed to just trip my GFI outlet that is under the sofa. Hopefully it's something as simple as that

good luck

-d
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Old 02-10-2008, 09:52 PM   #5
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The GFI would interrupt shore power as well.

My crappy invertor takes about a minute to power up fully (it's 300W) as evidenced by the "ready" light changing from red to green.

I don't know about the Xantrex in the SMB, or whether they technically need to power up, but I was just thinking it would be a good idea to wait a few minutes and then try the M/W and see if that helps.
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Old 02-10-2008, 10:21 PM   #6
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Thanks....will try both tomorrow. I reset the GFCI once but I am sure a few more tmes can't hurt. Hopefully it is something very simple as I just drove it right off the showroom floor to NM and I don't think "just bring it in" is going to get it. V10 just a little to far for a day trip. Got to got to go to work to pay for this machine.
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Old 02-10-2008, 11:28 PM   #7
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Inverter

Hello Marc,

There have been a number of Tripp-lite inverters with the same symptom. The problem seems to be with the "load sense" dial setting (you can adjust) or the "load sense" potentiometer itself (requires that the inverter be replaced).

The "load sense" dial can be adjusted using a very small flat blade screwdriver. Refer to page 8R in the Tripplite owners manual for adjustment and page 4R for it's location on the inverter (it is #9 in the reference). There is now a plastic guard built onto the inverter that makes it difficult to see the "load sense" dial, a small mirror may be helpful.

To adjust, have the inverter set to "Auto", 110 volt circuit breakers "on", and slowly turn the "load sense" dial clockwise until the microwave controller stays "on". If the "load sense" dial is already turned all the way clockwise, then slowly turn it counterclockwise until the microwave controller stays "on". The "load sense" dial is very sensitive, the reason the microwave controller cycles "off and on" is because the inverter doesn't detect the minor load that the microwave controller puts on the inverter. The inverter "searches" for a load to tell it to come "on", the microwave controller just doesn't draw enough enough power to keep the inverter "on". If the "load sense" dial is working properly, turning the "load sense" dial all the way clockwise will fix the problem. Sometimes, turning the "load sense" dial slightly counterclockwise will compensate for what I think is a poorly built potentiometer.

Another quick way to see if it is the "load sense" dial is to plug a 110 volt appliance into an outlet, turn it on, and then try the microwave. Provided the appliance you plug in doesn't draw too much power, the microwave should stay "on".

Hopefully this helps. Were you informed at delivery how to "reset" your inverter if it shuts down because your battery voltage is low?

Here is a link to the manual; http://www.tripplite.com/support/manual ... delID=2569

Good luck!
John K.
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Old 02-11-2008, 05:18 AM   #8
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Thanks John, I will try it, I was not told how to reset the inverter after a low battery condition.
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Old 02-11-2008, 11:40 PM   #9
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Hello Marc,

I questioned you about the low battery reset because it is not uncommon to experience it happening. You know that the inverter is in a low battery cut-out mode if the remote panel lights are not operating normal, it will not invert, and/or the inverter will not charge the batteries when you are connect to shore power.

1. Start the engine so the alternator is charging the house battery, you may have to engage the "high idle" switch if you have one to make sure the alternator is charging the batteries
2. Set the "Auto - Off - Charge Only" switch to "Off" for about 30 seconds.
3. Set the "Auto - Off - Charge Only" switch back to "Auto" and see if the inverter will now invert, or if it will charge the batteries if you are connected to shore power.
4. If this doesn't work, repeat steps 1 & 2 and also unplug the data cable (looks like a phone cable) that routes to the remote control panel from the inverter for about one minute. Plug it back in and then proceed to step 3.

Of course, it is best to not let your house battery get too low as this will shorten it's life. Stay connected to shore power at least overnight to fully charge the house battery if you can. The van's alternator will not charge the house battery completely, you can rely on solar panels to fully charge the house battery if you cannot connect to shore power.

Good luck!
John K.
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Old 02-14-2008, 07:59 PM   #10
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Hey John K,
You were exactly right, as soon as I touched the little dial it came on and worked perfectly. It is not a quality pot. but all seems to be going great. Once again thanks. How about starting a SMB Albuquerque?
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