Extension Cord length for inverter?

[Soulcode]

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.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

It shouldn't of gone bang, you were only running a small load on that extension lead

 

[Lupus]

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.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Yeah sounds like a weird surge or something.
The fact that it smells is a bit worrying
Ive never smelt a blown fuse

 

[Lupus]

Yeah sounds like a weird surge or something.
The fact that it smells is a bit worrying
Ive never smelt a blown fuse

Generally a strong plasticy burnt smell .

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Generally a strong plasticy burnt smell .

A blade fuse maybe
But not a glass fuse

Unless, there are blade fuses inside the Mecer, I havent even looked inside mine

 

[marbro]

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

 

[Lupus]

A blade fuse maybe
But not a glass fuse

Unless, there are blade fuses inside the Mecer, I havent even looked inside mine

Ok not sure on a glass fuse smell . Burnt uhhmmm sand??

 

[Lupus]

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

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.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

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.

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

 

[Lupus]

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

That's why something popped on the switch over?

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

That's why something popped on the switch over?

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

 

[B-1]

On AC the long extension cords shouldnt cause any issues.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

On AC the long extension cords shouldnt cause any issues.

Exactly
In most cases

 

[Lupus]

On AC the long extension cords shouldnt cause any issues.

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?

 

[Soulcode]

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

The extension cords are all still 100%. Everything that was connected to the inverter is still fine.

 

[Soulcode]

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?

The extension cords are brand new. No kinks, damage, soldering, exposed wires, or anything.

 

[Geoff.D]

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.

A Voltage and possibly, a frequency surge --- popped a capacitor or two. Nothing to do with the loads you describe.

 

[Soulcode]

Thank you for all the advice, lads. I guess I'm sending it back when geewiz opens up next week.

 

[Soulcode]

A Voltage and possibly, a frequency surge --- popped a capacitor or two. Nothing to do with the loads you describe.

Would you suggest I install something between the AC and the inverter? Like a surge plug?