Can't get outlets/inverter working

[Bluenose]

On our B331, I am not able to get the inverter running properly. It seems to cycle on and off.

Then I did get it going (and I can't remember what combination of switches I used). While it was humming, I could not get any of the switches to work, or at least the ones I tried.

It has a Heart Interface with a remote black panel.

What am I doing wrong??

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

My ouiji board is out for repair so will need a bit more information such as, but not limited to:

What's the input voltage?
What control settings?
Any loads on inverter when tested?
How old is inverter?
What's the output voltage?
Last time all connections removed, cleaned and tightened?

 

[Benny17441]

Cutting in and out might be an input voltage problem. You need to figure out the switches first as not to blow an internal fuse. Like Don says make sure all connections are clean and tight. Google the unit online and see what manuals and diagnostics may be available.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Then I did get it going (and I can't remember what combination of switches I used)

What am I doing wrong??

What you are doing wrong, it appears, is failing to understand how the equipment and wiring work together.
Most folks, at first, at least, simply don't understand that an inverter is a separate source of A.C. power to their boats, and the source of that power is the battery bank. The other source, of course, is shorepower. Either/or, but never both.
You, Bluenose, need to understand, first, how it works. If you do already, that's great.
Next step is for you to understand how it works on YOUR particular boat. Your AC Master switch must be ON for it to work, and you must be unplugged/disconnected from shorepower.

Just so you don't think I'm playing "know-it-all," when I installed my I/C in 1999, I was sure I did everything right. It didn't work. Then I took a breather, thought about it, made sure shorepower was disconnected (it was). AHA! Turn the AC master switch on. It worked.

You MUST figure it out yourself by understanding the wiring, or have a competent person show it to you.

I wouldn't fiddle with any wiring connections until you learn this stuff first. Why? You may not know which wires. Not kidding.

And just flipping switches and not remembering...??? Really?

In any event, good luck.

 

[Mechone]

20180915_171420

• Mechone
• Sep 18, 2018

I installed one on my boat, as per original beneteau wiring. On the A/C panel there are 2 master switches one is for shore , the other for ship with an interlock bar between them ,so its either one or the other. So I turn on ship, turn on inverter by remote panel at nav table. Now all my a/c outlets are powered up to 20amps pure sine wave, often run Keurig while sailing.Make sure to shut off battery charger breaker & A/C

 

[jlp0217]

Bluenose,
As others have stated, you need to figure out how your system is wired and how it is supposed to work. Of the commenters above, only Mechone has the same boat, and he installed his own inverter, so may not work like yours.
On mine, the shore power goes through the main breaker at the nav station, then goes to the inverter/charger. It also goes directly to the water heater and refrigerator breakers. AC comes out of the inverter/charger back to the nav station AC Plugs breaker. So the water heater and refrigerator won't run on the inverter. In the inverter, if AC input is available, it is passed through. If the inverter is turned on, and the input voltage is low, the inverter will sinc with the ac and raise the voltage. If there is no input AC and the inverter is on, it checks for a load, and if none goes into standby, if there is a load the inverter produces power. I have a clock/lamp in my stateroom that is able to run on the standby power, but doesn't create enough load to be able kick the invertor out of standby to lite the lamp.
I use the invertor to run the microwave or toaster (the 20 amp breaker wont run both) while under way or at anchor, otherwise it's turned off.