Post by madmacks on May 31, 2016 12:09:40 GMT -8
I have an RNG-1000INV-P inverter that just started emitting a constant tone with the Alm indicator LED on whenever I switch the unit on. I would like to understand what the problem is, in case I can resolve it.
Background...
I've got a Renogy 400w 12v solar complete kit set up that has been installed at an off grid cabin for about a year. We generally run everything using the 12v side, but on occasion we'll switch on the inverter for some reason; usually to charge small hand tool batteries or run a circular saw for a quick cut. If I need significant 110v power for long periods of time I fire up a separate generator. The system is all connected to a bank of Trojan T105-RE 6v batteries (4 batteries in parallel/serial). This has worked fine since we installed it with one exception. About a month ago the MPPT controller failed, but Renogy replaced it under warrantee with no problems.
Memorial Day weekend we were at the cabin and I needed to do a couple of quick cuts with the circular saw, so I flipped the inverter switch on and made the first cut, no problem. When I went to make a second cut I lost power. I went inside to check the external fuse between the battery back and the inverter, but it was fine. I switched the inverter to off, and checked out the 15amp power strip I had plugged into the inverter (better location for usability and a bit of extra amp protection for the inverter). It appeared to be fine and hadn't tripped. So, I waited a few minutes and turned the inverter power switch back on, and got the fault LED and a constant tone. I switched off, unplugged the power strip thinking there may be a short or fault with it. I waited a bit, and then switched the inverter back on again. Same fault light and constant tone.
In looking at the owners manual trouble shooting section there were several suggestions; low voltage, high voltage, short, temperate, etc. But, none of them seemed to apply. My MT5 meters was showing 13.7v coming into the batteries when this happened. The batteries were not low from being discharged (early that morning prior to the sun coming up my battery meter showed a constant 12.7v battery state). My other 12v loads were all working fine (small fan, small car radio). The ambient temperate in the room was about 65 degrees, and the inverter fans had never come on.
I waited about 15-20 minutes and switched the inverter back on again with nothing plugged in at all (no loads, no power switch, nothing) and got the same alert tone (constant) and fault LED.
If you have any ideas please share them. I am hoping I don't have another failed piece of equipment from the complete kit I bought. Even with the, so far, decent warrentee support it's a real PITA to have these things fail when you need them. The cabin is remote and it's not a simple thing to keep fixing equipment that should last longer than a year, especially when I've probably only used the inverter a dozen times or so.
Background...
I've got a Renogy 400w 12v solar complete kit set up that has been installed at an off grid cabin for about a year. We generally run everything using the 12v side, but on occasion we'll switch on the inverter for some reason; usually to charge small hand tool batteries or run a circular saw for a quick cut. If I need significant 110v power for long periods of time I fire up a separate generator. The system is all connected to a bank of Trojan T105-RE 6v batteries (4 batteries in parallel/serial). This has worked fine since we installed it with one exception. About a month ago the MPPT controller failed, but Renogy replaced it under warrantee with no problems.
Memorial Day weekend we were at the cabin and I needed to do a couple of quick cuts with the circular saw, so I flipped the inverter switch on and made the first cut, no problem. When I went to make a second cut I lost power. I went inside to check the external fuse between the battery back and the inverter, but it was fine. I switched the inverter to off, and checked out the 15amp power strip I had plugged into the inverter (better location for usability and a bit of extra amp protection for the inverter). It appeared to be fine and hadn't tripped. So, I waited a few minutes and turned the inverter power switch back on, and got the fault LED and a constant tone. I switched off, unplugged the power strip thinking there may be a short or fault with it. I waited a bit, and then switched the inverter back on again. Same fault light and constant tone.
In looking at the owners manual trouble shooting section there were several suggestions; low voltage, high voltage, short, temperate, etc. But, none of them seemed to apply. My MT5 meters was showing 13.7v coming into the batteries when this happened. The batteries were not low from being discharged (early that morning prior to the sun coming up my battery meter showed a constant 12.7v battery state). My other 12v loads were all working fine (small fan, small car radio). The ambient temperate in the room was about 65 degrees, and the inverter fans had never come on.
I waited about 15-20 minutes and switched the inverter back on again with nothing plugged in at all (no loads, no power switch, nothing) and got the same alert tone (constant) and fault LED.
If you have any ideas please share them. I am hoping I don't have another failed piece of equipment from the complete kit I bought. Even with the, so far, decent warrentee support it's a real PITA to have these things fail when you need them. The cabin is remote and it's not a simple thing to keep fixing equipment that should last longer than a year, especially when I've probably only used the inverter a dozen times or so.
