Inverter and reverse polarity issue

[Alex 2740]

We have installed a very basic 1000 watt inverter on Nepenthe (1992 Legend 35.5) for the very rare AC requirements we may have while away.I wired the inverter from the house batteries with specified guauge cable, included a breaker bar in line and mounted the unit next to the shore power input socket on the boat. I was originally going to install an AC input breaker panel that would allow me to toggle between shore power or Inverter however since it trully is not going to be used that often, I opted to use a AC cable (Marinco) that plugs into the Shore power input on the the boat at one end and plugs into the inverter on the other end. It's about a 18 inch tail.Even though I dont expect to use it often I would like to power the boats outlets versus connecting an extension cord each time I want to use an AC device.When I go below I get a reverse polarity indicated on the panel. I tried using one of those three prong to two prong adapters that eliminates the ground wire just to see if I could eliminate the reverse polarity indicator however it remains solidly lit regardless of how I orient the connection to the inverter. I have read the archives about how a small amount of voltage can cause the same effect but this seams to be different.Can someone give me some advice or direction on what I am missing?Thanks,Alex

 

[Honeyman]

Alex...

you'll have better luck posting on "Ask all Sailors" and/or "Ask a Hunter owner" rather than here on Peggie's forum dedicated to heads and plumbing. She's good, but that may be expecting too much!

 

[Reudi Ross]

inverter polarity

Alex, first, is the polarity correct? AC has a hot leg, a neutral leg and a ground. The reverse polarity light lights when there is a voltage potential between neutral and ground. Some of the cheaper inverters don't bond the neutral and ground together, this could be your problem.