Inverter problem/question

[sailaway78]

The scenario. Was doing some engine compartment wiring this afternoon. No shore power to the boat. (None there since Gustav.) Battery switch off. Had the inverter on and a Weller sodering gun plugged into it. Leaning across the engine got a slight shock. Turn off the inverter, no shock. The inverter is a Xantrex 1000, which is about two years old. Have never noticed this before, but it isn't enough to notice when touched with one hand. Could have been this way since installation. But when leaning over the engine, the back of both my arms resting on the engine I certainly noticed it. Went over the installation, and it is by the book. Inverter hooked directly to the house bank, with a seperate ground wire to the block, as per instructions. Should this be considered normal, or is there something amiss here. Certainly doesn't seem right. The shock isn't enough to be harmful, and as stated, can't even feel it when touched with my hands. Some of you electrical whizzes chime in on this.

 

[Mike8245]

inveter problem/issue

Is it possible the problem is with the soldering iron itself? Does it have a 3 prong plug? and were you using an extension cord with 3 prongs? Mike

 

[Stu Jackson]

Phil, sounds like a DC leak somewhere, because you probably wouldn't be typing right now if it was AC. that's a start, lemme think some more on this.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I think Stu on the right path. If you have separate grounds anywhere on the boat, AC or DC, and check the potential across them with a VOM, you might have your problem. If this is the case, consider yourself lucky as the problem, if left unchecked, could eventually cause all kinds of electrolysis problems.

 

[sailaway78]

Hhhmmmmmmmmmmm

I hadn't thought about the soldering gun. It does not have a three wire plug on it. Was using a short three wire extension cord. Will have to check that out and see if it does it without anything plugged in. Keep in mind that this was not much more than a tingle. Not enough to be felt through the hands, which are tougher than the underside of the arm. But still enough to be bothersome.

 

[JoeD]

Phil, Sure sounds like DC leak. AC would have gave you a real jolt. Could be wong but have had both and I know the difference. Don't ask how I know.

 

[RAD]

Ac leak maybe

Where was the sodering gun plugged into,the inverter or the ships ac outlets.
I'm thinking sodering gun defective or ac wiring problem and neutral was looking for ground and found it at the engine block

 

[JoeD]

DC

I thnk he stated that no AC due to storm. Had to be pluged into inverter. So DC to inverter to AC to soldering gun. Still sounds like DC leak. maybe bad ground. He was making the ground when he touched the engine?? ,Maybe?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Configuration

1. do you have AC outlets wired or just the plug in the inverter?

2. since it's electrical, check all the connections

 

[Harold]

phil this may be an ac ground (common) problem. check polairty at inverter outlet if your using older two wire plug on gun or ext. cord and it is not polairty protected try to reverse the plug in the outlet i think you will find the problem in the neutral side good luck.

 

[GuyT]

Check some voltages

If you have a meter, measure the neutral to ground voltage on both the ac and dc scale.
If the inverter is not properly bonded (neutral to ground) the neutral may float up to several hundred volts above ground.

Many times the soldering iron tip is tied to ground on a 3 prong plug or on a two prong plug, it may be connected to neutral. Take your ohm meter and measure from the plug neutral to the soldering iron tip.
I am guessing that you did not have a 3 prong plug with ground!

If the inverter was floating(not properly bonded) and your iron was tied to the inverters neutral, you may have experienced the ill effects of DC voltage creep.

If you have a good bond from neutral to ground and you used a 3 prong plug and you experienced this problem, I would immediately toss the iron cause it may get you killed! Its either that or connect a GFI to the iron to save your A**.