Extension Cord length for inverter?

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Soulcode

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Hi there. Here is my scenario:

I have this inverter setup https://www.geewiz.co.za/long-run-u...-batteries-8-hour-battery-life-kit-1440w.html and it powered a TV (32" i think?) and decoder and a laptop through load shedding for a few months really well. Then I decided I want to move the laptop to another room and connect a 42" screen to it, and while it's there I will connect my house alarm system to the inverter as well.

To do this I used 2x of these https://www.takealot.com/maxpower-20m-extension-cord/PLID52617662/description that I connected together and ran through the ceiling. So that's a total of 40m of extension cord.

So now the inverter is running a TV and decoder in one room, and then 40m of extension cord to a laptop with an external 42" screen and a bog standard house alarm system in the other room.
When it all was hooked up and the AC power was on it worked perfectly. Then our municipal power went out, prompting the inverter to kick in, and immediately something in the inverter went bang and it smelled like something inside it burned.
Now the inverter just makes a continuous beep with a steady red LED light, so I assume it's screwed.

My question now is, did the 40m of extension cord somehow cause this? Or was it completely unrelated and the inverter just decided to go poof? Any help would be appreciated.
 
Not heard of an inverter popping due to the extension leads, sounds like it blew a fuse when switching to batteries if it went pop only when the muncipal load dropped off.
 
Yeah sounds like a weird surge or something.
The fact that it smells is a bit worrying
Ive never smelt a blown fuse
 
the only way the extension could have caused that is if it failed,
does the extension still work?


I have a 30ish meter long one running on an inverter at my place. no issues
 
marbro said:
the only way the extension could have caused that is if it failed,
does the extension still work?


I have a 30ish meter long one running on an inverter at my place. no issues
Click to expand...
Yup and I've hooked up a 20m to the 20m already in the roof and no issues, also run a 25m from my inverter to the alarm and no issues.
 
Lupus said:
Yup and I've hooked up a 20m to the 20m already in the roof and no issues, also run a 25m from my inverter to the alarm and no issues.
Click to expand...
Yeah the ones OP bought are only 1mm but that should be fine for his small load
And it ran fine during ESKOM
So very bizarre that things blew up when ESKOM failed
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
Yeah the ones OP bought are only 1mm but that should be fine for his small load
And it ran fine during ESKOM
So very bizarre that things blew up when ESKOM failed
Click to expand...
That's why something popped on the switch over?
 
Lupus said:
That's why something popped on the switch over?
Click to expand...
Yes
Ive heard of Mecers blowing up when ESKOM returns and this is usually due to a spike. But not when ESKOM fails
Very weird
 
On AC the long extension cords shouldnt cause any issues.
 
B-1 said:
On AC the long extension cords shouldnt cause any issues.
Click to expand...
Even on DC 40m should be fine, but yes on AC definitely a small hiccup, unless the extension cord is crimped, damaged in some way?
 
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Reactions: B-1
marbro said:
the only way the extension could have caused that is if it failed,
does the extension still work?


I have a 30ish meter long one running on an inverter at my place. no issues
Click to expand...
The extension cords are all still 100%. Everything that was connected to the inverter is still fine.
 
Lupus said:
Even on DC 40m should be fine, but yes on AC definitely a small hiccup, unless the extension cord is crimped, damaged in some way?
Click to expand...
The extension cords are brand new. No kinks, damage, soldering, exposed wires, or anything.
 
Soulcode said:
Hi there. Here is my scenario:

I have this inverter setup https://www.geewiz.co.za/long-run-u...-batteries-8-hour-battery-life-kit-1440w.html and it powered a TV (32" i think?) and decoder and a laptop through load shedding for a few months really well. Then I decided I want to move the laptop to another room and connect a 42" screen to it, and while it's there I will connect my house alarm system to the inverter as well.

To do this I used 2x of these https://www.takealot.com/maxpower-20m-extension-cord/PLID52617662/description that I connected together and ran through the ceiling. So that's a total of 40m of extension cord.

So now the inverter is running a TV and decoder in one room, and then 40m of extension cord to a laptop with an external 42" screen and a bog standard house alarm system in the other room.
When it all was hooked up and the AC power was on it worked perfectly. Then our municipal power went out, prompting the inverter to kick in, and immediately something in the inverter went bang and it smelled like something inside it burned.
Now the inverter just makes a continuous beep with a steady red LED light, so I assume it's screwed.

My question now is, did the 40m of extension cord somehow cause this? Or was it completely unrelated and the inverter just decided to go poof? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
A Voltage and possibly, a frequency surge --- popped a capacitor or two. Nothing to do with the loads you describe.
 
Geoff.D said:
A Voltage and possibly, a frequency surge --- popped a capacitor or two. Nothing to do with the loads you describe.
Click to expand...
Would you suggest I install something between the AC and the inverter? Like a surge plug?
 
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