- This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 8 months ago by
Anonymous.
Anonymous.- Topic
Anonymous- Topics - 33
- Replies - 117
- Total - 150
I just made a 4 hour trip on Monday with ambient air temps in the lower to mid 90’s. The Samsung ran beautifully, as usual, with the 2 (6 month old) Trojan batteries powered by the GoPower inverter. I, also, have a 160 watt solar panel on the roof. This set-up has been 100% reliable in the last 5 years on every trip even those at 9 hours a day.
On the way back, I stopped after about an hour and checked the refrigerator and it was off. I turned the inverter off and back on the refrigerator came back on. I stopped again in about another hour and it was off again. I turned it back on and continued about another hour, stopped to check it and it was off again. Turned it back on and got home to find it off again.
The inverter has 3 various color indicator lights: input level, load level and status. Unfortunately, (my bad here) I did not make note of which of the 2 lights in particular were red. Part of that is the inverter location and I can’t see close thing over my head due to progressive lens in my glasses!!!
After I parked the fiver and unhitched, I turned on the refrigerator and level the rig with the Big Foot jacks. All was fine and the inverter continued to function with the jack use and for about an hour without issued before I shut it down.
I’m going to check all the wiring connections this weekend and I’m hoping that is what it is. However, if all the wires are tight I don’t know what else if could be. Worked flawlessly on the 4 hour drive there but not on the way back.
If it turns out to be a loose wire I will update the post.
Finally, If it is NOT a loose wire, I guess the inverter needs to re placed. I’m considering a Xantrex but am open to suggestion for quality brands. I only need 800-1000K as it is solely for the fridge. The GoPower has been fine until now, however, the current models by GoPower have poor reviews. Thanks.
- Replies
- Anonymous
- Topics - 33
- Replies - 117
- Total - 150
UPDATE: I found all the wires and connections to be good. My inverter is mounted in an out of the way place which makes it difficult to see the status lights, etc. Also, the refrigerator has a dedicated 110 volt line which plugs into the GFCI plug on the inverter.
Guess what? The GFCI is tripped and will not reset. Not an electrician here, but I suspect it has gone bad considering the exposure to the elements is experiences. I have had them go bad in my garage and bathrooms in our home for no apparent reason so I’m suspecting this is my problem.
I have removed the inverter and have the GFCI removed and will go out later to get a new one and reinstall. Hopefully this is the issue. I will update once I’ve done so.
Anonymous- Topics - 33
- Replies - 117
- Total - 150
UPDATE #2: Its NOT the GFCI. I took swapped the one from the inverter with one in the house. Its OK. Back to square one.
Anonymous- Topics - 33
- Replies - 117
- Total - 150
UPDATE #3. Just ordered a Xantrex SW1000 from Amazon and it will arrive on Wednesday. I will install it immediately as we are leaving on a trip on Thursday morning. I suspect the issue is the inverter so I figured replace it. Also, with the GoPower cover removed I could see 4 40 watt blade type fuses. All were good. I was pretty impressed with the inside of the GoPower with all its isolation against vibration. Too bad it failed in five years but I suspect heat is hard on them.
I will update after the new one is installed and how it performs on the trip next week. Thanks.
expired-member- Topics - 86
- Replies - 191
- Total - 277
JohnD222- Topics - 8
- Replies - 518
- Total - 526
Phil,
Did the new inverter solve the issue or was it so cloudy that solar could not stay ahead of the battery draw down on new batteries?? If the frig gets into defrost mode it can draw 1600 watts versus the 80-90 run watts.
John
UPDATE #3. Just ordered a Xantrex SW1000 from Amazon and it will arrive on Wednesday. I will install it immediately as we are leaving on a trip on Thursday morning. I suspect the issue is the inverter so I figured replace it. Also, with the GoPower cover removed I could see 4 40 watt blade type fuses. All were good. I was pretty impressed with the inside of the GoPower with all its isolation against vibration. Too bad it failed in five years but I suspect heat is hard on them. I will update after the new one is installed and how it performs on the trip next week. Thanks.
JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)JohnD222- Topics - 8
- Replies - 518
- Total - 526
It sounds like your direct wire setup has the inverter running all the time, even when on shore power. If you don’t manually swap the plug when on shore power that results in a lot more work hours than a normal inverter setup gets in 5 years. Probably 3+ times as much. So if it wasn’t clouds, you guessed right – inverter reached the end of expected life cycle.
JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)Anonymous- Topics - 33
- Replies - 117
- Total - 150
It was the inverter. Been perfect since replacement. I have to manually switch the inverter on and off. There is a remote switch with light inside. I also have an auto switch over feature behind the fridge. No problem to manually power up anf off the inverter.
expired-member
JohnD222- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.