Inverter help

[emtp82]

We are on vacation and it seems like our inverter may have taken a crap. When we disconnect from the shore line we drop from 12 down to 5.5 immediately. We tested the batteries and got 6.** on all four.
If we have to replace the inverter, can we upgrade from 1000w to 2000 or 3000, without any big work?
The inverter is the original "Cheng USA WF5110H Pure Sine Wave Inverter"

[IsleDog]

it kind of sounds like your batteries are dead or dying. are they 12v batteries or 6v ones? you will need to take a look at the wire gauge feeding the inverter to see if you can go to a larger unit. you also need to look at how long your cable run is from inverter to battery.

[emtp82]

Sorry, the batteries are 1 yo 6v Super Start

[nvs4602]

Assuming the batteries are good and are full of water. I would check the dc side breaker and the ac breaker on the inverter.

To replace the inverter with a larger one you will have to change dc wire size and the size of the circuit breaker. You will also need to make sure the new inverter has a built-in transfer switch or you need to install one. Here's a link to the manual.

https://forestriverinc.com/files/Component-Manuals/Electrical/WFCO%20-%20Inverter%20Model%20WF-5100%20Series%20User's%20Manual.pdf

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by emtp82

We are on vacation and it seems like our inverter may have taken a crap. When we disconnect from the shore line we drop from 12 down to 5.5 immediately. We tested the batteries and got 6.** on all four.
If we have to replace the inverter, can we upgrade from 1000w to 2000 or 3000, without any big work?
The inverter is the original "Cheng USA WF5110H Pure Sine Wave Inverter"

This to me says the CONVERTER is not working. I would check the battery connections, and the position of the battery switch if installed. As to 6V batteries wired in series, and measuring 5.5 volts, this says to me they are not charged. New or old, still one or more could be defective.

Check the electrolyte level in each of the battery cells. Should be at the bottom of the fill tube in each cell. Check the voltage on each battery with shore power connected. Should be about 6.5 volts or so. Then check the voltage with shore power disconnected. Should be about 6.0 volts or so. If much below 6.0 volts, I would suspect a defective battery or one which is not fully charged.

I would solve this issue before thinking about upgrading to a larger capacity inverter.

Bob

[emtp82]

This is what I'm getting

[nvs4602]

So your getting 126.0 vac when connected to shore power but only 55.0vac when running off batteries. So what is your dc input voltage when trying to run off of batteries?

[emtp82]

Correct 12.6 connected and 5.5 disconnected. As far as DC input, I have no clue.

[nvs4602]

Originally Posted by emtp82

Correct 12.6 connected and 5.5 disconnected. As far as DC input, I have no clue.

What is displayed on the screen is the AC voltage, not DC.

[emtp82]

Yeah, I don't know about the DC. I'm ignorant to this stuff somewhat, lol. How do I find that?

[emtp82]

Batteries were confirmed good at O'Reilly. Sooooo I'm guessing it's got to be the inverter then?

[5picker]

There is an inconspicuous push button to the right of the display. (Not the power button) Push the button and release and cycle through the readings... output voltage on shore power (pass through)... inverter input voltage (DC).... and amps being drawn.

I'm confused at your comments about your battery condition. How did you test them?

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by emtp82

Correct 12.6 connected and 5.5 disconnected. As far as DC input, I have no clue.

The display shows 55 volts AC. And the yellow light is ON plus the battery symbol is displayed. This indicates a LOW BATTERY condition.

Whereas at 126 volts AC the green light is on and no battery symbol being displayed.

Batteries may be good, but there is not enough DC to run the system. Check your battery wiring.

Bob

[emtp82]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I'm confused at your comments about your battery condition. How did you test them?

I took them to O'Reilly auto parts and they checked them.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by emtp82

I took them to O'Reilly auto parts and they checked them.

Did they use a hydrometer to test each cell?

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Aussieguy]

the top picture show a portion of battery bank ... looks like there is some good oxidation going on at one cable

you really need someone to show you how to maintain the batteries .... adding water and how to read their voltage etc

your system more than likely has a converter to charge the batteries
you also need to learn how that works and how to trouble shoot it.
otherwise you will be replacing batteries way too soon $$$$$$



if you are still at a campground ....
find the host / manager or even a nearby camper... and ask their advise.
they may look at your batteries for you and see if they are watered and getting a charge voltage while connected to shore power.



your batteries if drained need to be connected to a charger before any damage sets in ... even a car charger would do to protect the batteries until you sort out your Converter (charger) and inverter.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

The display shows 55 volts AC. And the yellow light is ON plus the battery symbol is displayed. This indicates a LOW BATTERY condition.

Whereas at 126 volts AC the green light is on and no battery symbol being displayed.

Batteries may be good, but there is not enough DC to run the system. Check your battery wiring.

Bob

Not correct.. The green light means he is on “Shore Power” and a sine wave is showing. The display of 126 volts is a measure of the shore power level.

A yellow light means he is on battery power thus it shows a battery. The 55 volts is the AC output from the inverter.

I have the same inverter. I wish the op would measure the dc voltage when the inverter is on battery power. I think the inverter will shut down if the dc level drops below a certain level. If the 55 volts is the correct output then the inverter is bad.

Has the op confirmed the AC at the output is really 55 volts or is the display circuit defective

If it is 55 volts don’t use any appliances as damage mat occur.

Watch this video.. https://youtu.be/pf7NhvBu3U0

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

The display shows 55 volts AC. And the yellow light is ON plus the battery symbol is displayed. This indicates a LOW BATTERY condition.

Whereas at 126 volts AC the green light is on and no battery symbol being displayed.

Batteries may be good, but there is not enough DC to run the system. Check your battery wiring.

Bob

Not on this particular inverter.

The amber light means the inverter is operating on DC power. The battery symbol means it is getting DC power. The 55v AC is suspicious though and there seems to be an inverter issue as R/V forums have had posts about this scenario and why I eluded to it in my earlier post.

If DC power is low the RED indicator comes on, the word "low" appears in the battery symbol and the unit shuts down.

You are partially correct though about the green light. It means the inverter is passing 120v AC (via the internal transfer switch) and on shore power. (no battery symbol)

[dalford]

OP. As 5picker said there is an inconspicuous button next to your display on the inverter. Look at your pic in your op and you will see it just to the right of the display. Press it until it reads the battery voltage and you can see if it is loading down the batteries. I doubt it…

[5picker]

Again, cycling the inconspicuous button to the right of the display with the unit on shows AC voltage, DC in voltage and amps being drawn.