Extension Cord length for inverter?

[Lupus]

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

Wait do you have any surge protectors on anything plugged into the inverter?

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

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

Yes, Ive been running these puppies in all my wall sockets for donkeys years
Touch wood

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT INSTALL THESE AFTER THE MECER INVERTER, THE MODIFIED SINEWAVE HATES IT AND KA-BOOOOOM

 

[Soulcode]

Wait do you have any surge protectors on anything plugged into the inverter?

No, nothing before or after the inverter.

 

[Soulcode]

Yes, Ive been running these puppies in all my wall sockets for donkeys years
Touch wood

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT INSTALL THESE AFTER THE MECER INVERTER, THE MODIFIED SINEWAVE HATES IT AND KA-BOOOOOM


View attachment 1221222

Thanks, I'll get one

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Thanks, I'll get one

Put them everywhere
Especially fridges and freezers etc
Those compressors HATE surges

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

But saying that there are surge protectors designed for fridges that have a delay before switching on again, cant remember where I saw them now
But, I am using a standard Ellies and both my fridges are fine

 

[Geoff.D]

Yup as already stated surge arrestors on all major appliances is not a bad idea, at the wall sockets.

 

[pinball wizard]

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.

Go through the pain of running through the ceiling, but don't go the slight bit extra and use proper cabtyre?

People are weird.

 

[itareanlnotani]

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.

Some of my immediate concerns -

You're going to get losses over distance, and the voltage is going to drop. Some equipment won't like that.
Won't be much of a drop over 40m, but it will be some.

If you're using 1mm cable, this is around 28v on 40m. If you used 2.5mm cable, that would be 5v or so, cable size matters!



I would recommend a 2.5mm minimum cable for your "extension" 1mm cable is going to be a fire hazard.
I'd even go so far as to say use 4mm as you'll inevitably add more things and eventually the 2.5mm won't be sufficient either.

I also would steer FAR clear of cheap extension cables, as they often don't use copper, and instead use cca (copper clad aluminium). They're ****. I would suggest rather buy the cable and run it yourself.

I would suggest get a multimeter, and check the extension cables you have now for shorts. Unplug, and buzz out both ends with a cheap multimeter, you should be able to see if there is a short or not.

If there is, cut off the plug, and throw both the cord and the plug extension away. (Do this so other people don't reuse something dangerous.)


Calculator here if you want to compare - https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/voltage-drop-calculator.html

 

[mojoman]

I use a 30m extenson cable on my Meccer inverter. my core diameter is 4mm though...

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Thicker the better, even @ShaunSA will agree

But Gents, this still doesnt explain why everything was running fine over 40 metres or whatever distance just fine whilst on ESKOM, and then on powerfailure there was an explosion. The thickness of the cable did not cause this bang inside the Inverter. Something else is the cause of it

 

[itareanlnotani]

Thicker the better, even @ShaunSA will agree

But Gents, this still doesnt explain why everything was running fine over 40 metres or whatever distance just fine whilst on ESKOM, and then on powerfailure there was an explosion. The thickness of the cable did not cause this bang inside the Inverter. Something else is the cause of it

It could have done if it was 1mm and shitty cca, and he's drawing too much current, could have melted, and a short created, then the inverter went into unhappy fun mode.

Hence my suggestion to buzz out the extension cable with a multimeter. Them's my reasons!

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

It could have done if it was 1mm and shitty cca, and he's drawing too much current, could have melted, and a short created, then the inverter went into unhappy fun mode.

Hence my suggestion to buzz out the extension cable with a multimeter. Them's my reasons!

From running a laptop and telly on the other end
I highly doubt this would have happened

Will need more conclusive proof

 

[itareanlnotani]

From running a laptop and telly on the other end
I highly doubt this would have happened

Will need more conclusive proof

Buzzing out the cable with a multimeter would provide conclusive proof if there was a short or not

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Buzzing out the cable with a multimeter would provide conclusive proof if there was a short or not

True, good to check out, even though he was consuming a measly 1 amp of power. But still a good test
I always start from the begining never assuming the smallest things
Anyways, its 4pm, home time

 

[DuracellBunny]

Had a similar issue happen to me. Grid went down and inverter went Poof. Was at home thank fully as it was almost nearly up in flames. Took the units apart and saw the switching relays completely shot. Came to the conclusion that when it was switching from Grid to battery the relay might of got stuck. Im no electrician but came to that decision after some research on components in the inverter.

 

[PsyWulf]

But saying that there are surge protectors designed for fridges that have a delay before switching on again, cant remember where I saw them now
But, I am using a standard Ellies and both my fridges are fine

I use these

Can switch this to various modes too for Compressor/other tech

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

I use these

Can switch this to various modes too for Compressor/other tech

Now that's awesome Adding to my wishlist, thank you

 

[TheChamp]

Buzzing out the cable with a multimeter would provide conclusive proof if there was a short or not

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

No idea why the poor extension is linked to the failure of the inverter.

 

[Gnome]

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

If you have the option buy a better inverter, the one you bought is pretty low quality.
Cheapest one I could find:

Axpert Type Pure Sine 3000VA Inverter Trolley + 2x 100Ah Battery (8 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 3000W (50A PWM SOLAR) (150-200 cycles) - GeeWiz

Axpert Type Pure Sine 3000VA Inverter Trolley + 2x 100Ah Battery (8 HOUR BATTERY LIFE) KIT - 3000W (50A PWM SOLAR) (150-200 cycles) for sale online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery

www.geewiz.co.za

These Axpert inverters are pretty robust. I have one install running with an Axpert since 2015 and still going strong and plenty of people on PowerForum running them too.

Re the long lead. It isn't a problem unless it has nicks and it is shorted. I assume when you plug it into power you have no problems.