While dealing with the issue on the inverter that I just posted about I happened to notice this copper wire at the back of the inverter. It isn't connected to the inverter and doesn't appear that it ever has been. I am assuming it is coming up from the battery box but I'm not sure as I can't actually see in there.
Jim
Jim,
Have you tried using your multimeter to see if the copper wire is a ground wire to the frame or the negative post on the battery? Bare copper wires are often used for ground wires.
HD
Jim,
Have you tried using your multimeter to see if the copper wire is a ground wire to the frame or the negative post on the battery? Bare copper wires are often used for ground wires.
HD
I haven't and not sure how to test for that. However, even if it were, shouldn't it be connected at both ends?
Jim
Jim that wire should connect the inverter chasis to the Truck chassis. It maybe the cause of your GFCI problem.
It should go into Item 6 in Figure 1-2 in the document below.
http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Power-Inverters/XS400/XS400_Owner_Guide(975-0054-01-01_Rev-B).pdf
Item 6 is that silver square thing with a hole in it in your first two pictures.
Jim
I concur with Rodney... if there is no wire connected to that ground lug (#6, Fig 1-2)' which in the diagram indicates is a 'ground' connection, it needs one. Connect your DVM between that loose wire of yours and a known ground point and you should read Zero or a very low ohms reading. If it reads zero connect it to lug #6. ;)
Thanks Rodney & Steve. When I look at my photos I believe you can see the chassis lug and nothing is connected.
Steve, I'm don't know where I can find a ground near the inverter to test that wire. Maybe I should just try hooking it up?
Jim
Thanks Rodney & Steve. When I look at my photos I believe you can see the chassis lug and nothing is connected.
Steve, I'm don't know where I can find a ground near the inverter to test that wire. Maybe I should just try hooking it up?
Jim
Jim, I pulled out the drawer and looked at mine but have a different brand inverter from yours. However, I did notice a copper ground cable running from the edge of the inverter into the wire harness going to the bat compartment. As for your photos, it looks like that copper wire just popped out of the silver lug.
Chris
Jim
You said your inverter is located below the fridge... just behind you is the power panel where the fuses are located. In the upper right-hand corner you should see two or three silver colored lugs. These are 'ground' points. Take you DVM and make a continuity (Ohms) check between those power points and your mystery wire. If you get a low reading that tells you that the mystery wire is also a ground wire. Go ahead and connect it to the ground connector on the inverter.
Update, I took a closer look at the ground lug with a mirror and the wire in question. Given the angle of the wire when pushed down it lined up perfectly with the lug. I put the wire there and secured it, fired up the generator and the GFCI didn't trip and all works normally. I assume it had to be connected at some point in the past but saw no sign on the wire that it had been clamped before, however, if it hadn't wouldn't the GFCI been tripping all along?
I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I spent a good part of yesterday checking on replacement inverters and installers and none of the options were ideal. The space under the frig is limited for the new stuff that is out there and the ones that would easily fit don't have the AC transfer switch built in or the remote switch that would have been a match.
Jim
Just when you think you have a handle on basic electronics something like a floating ground will come along and blow your theory into the wind. ;D
Murphy's Law strikes again!
Just when you think you have a handle on basic electronics something like a floating ground will come along and blow your theory into the wind. ;D
Murphy's Law strikes again!
If only I had a basic handle on electronics. :)
Update, I took a closer look at the ground lug with a mirror and the wire in question. Given the angle of the wire when pushed down it lined up perfectly with the lug. I put the wire there and secured it, fired up the generator and the GFCI didn't trip and all works normally. I assume it had to be connected at some point in the past but saw no sign on the wire that it had been clamped before, however, if it hadn't wouldn't the GFCI been tripping all along?
I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I spent a good part of yesterday checking on replacement inverters and installers and none of the options were ideal. The space under the frig is limited for the new stuff that is out there and the ones that would easily fit don't have the AC transfer switch built in or the remote switch that would have been a match.
Jim
Good show, Jim. And thanks for keeping us posted. I bookmark some of your issues for future reference in case needed in my 30'.
Regarding "clamping", if there was nothing you could see that clamped or held the wire in the lug, perhaps it was just forced in without something to hold it and it just popped out? Looking at the photos of the wire again, the end of the wire is jagged as if it had broken off. Or, as Don mentioned, maybe the GFCI is faulty. BTW, did you check with the factory to see what kind of an inverter they are installing in that confined space?
Chris
Good show, Jim. And thanks for keeping us posted. I bookmark some of your issues for future reference in case needed in my 30'.
Regarding "clamping", if there was nothing you could see that clamped or held the wire in the lug, perhaps it was just forced in without something to hold it and it just popped out? Looking at the photos of the wire again, the end of the wire is jagged as if it had broken off. Or, as Don mentioned, maybe the GFCI is faulty. BTW, did you check with the factory to see what kind of an inverter they are installing in that confined space?
Chris
The lug has a set screw which is what I used to secure it. Starting the genny with the inverter plugged into power again did not result in the GFCI tripping so hopefully, that was the cause. I asked Vince a few months ago what inverter they were using in the 30' and he said they weren't installing inverters any longer but I don't recall if he told me when they quit using them.
Jim
" Looking at the photos of the wire again, the end of the wire is jagged as if it had broken off."
Chris
Take a closer look and you will see that the tip of that wire is 'beveled', indicating that it was cut with a heavy duty wire cutter. Seen dozens of them and made a few myself! ;)
Speaking of loose connections everyone should tighten the 12v connections in the power distribution panel every year. All you need is a screwdriver. If you have never tightened them they are loose.
Don,
That is a very good point.
I just keep fogetting to put it in my comments.
Speaking of loose connections everyone should tighten the 12v connections in the power distribution panel every year. All you need is a screwdriver. If you have never tightened them they are loose.
Do the 120V-AC side too, once the shore power, generator and any inverter are disconnected or turned off.
I hae seen burnt breakers and buss bars, the result of when the wiring become loose.
Larry