Problem Inverter question

[lostinfla]

While on the way to our short trip (about 170 miles one way) destination, the wife went to the refrigerator to get some tea for me, and she said "the light's off". Stopped at a rest area and saw the Magnum panel had a fault which I believe said "FET overload". I reset the inverter with the power button and it acted normal again. Now, when we got back home the fridge was off again and the inverter panel had a fault marked "internal NTC." I reset it again and it's back to normal for now. I didn't have any extreme load on the system when this happened. Any ideas as to what's happening would be appreciated.

 

[Richpatty]

This is what the rectangle of knowledge found…. Hope it helps. Keep us posted.

Looks like a temp issue….or the inverter is on the fritz…

Fault Code Troubleshooting for ME-RC, ME-MR, ME-ARC, and ME-ARTR Remotes | Magnum Dimensions

Fault code troubleshooting guide for Magnum Energy ME-RC, ME-MR, ME-ARC, and ME-ARTR remotes.

www.magnum-dimensions.com

 

[lostinfla]

Thanks Rich, I did see that. I'm trying to avoid the "take it to an authorized service center" part as the nearest one, according to their website, is over 800 miles away.

 

[Richpatty]

I figured you might have searched…maybe the inverter has collected a lot of dust? Or the cooling fans are not working well?

 

[lostinfla]

That's a good idea, I'll check it out.

 

[Neal]

I have a Magnum 2812 I could sell if needed, it's just a heavy monster. I use Victron inverters now and didn't want to leave it with SES on consignment. But if someone needs a spare 2812 I have one.

 

[lostinfla]

I have a Magnum 2812 I could sell if needed, it's just a heavy monster. I use Victron inverters now and didn't want to leave it with SES on consignment. But if someone needs a spare 2812 I have one.

I may be needing it. Thx

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I wouldn't replace the inverter yet! My search would be a loose connection on the fridge circuit.

The inverter safety features seem to be working as designed.

I'll explain.

The FET (field effect transistors) is being overloaded. This shows up as a general overload.

Further down the road rather than shut the inverter down, those overloaded transistors heated up the heatsink they are mounted to.

What can make the transistors overheat, or overload? Well a fridge that has been interrupted on a cycle, then immediately trying to restart it before the head pressure has had time to equalize. . The result is a locked rotor condition of the compressor motor. That can be 10 times the run current, so overload of the inverter is likely.

My assumption is this only happens while on the road, so bad connection is the conclusion.

 

[Jim]

I'm inclined to go along with Kevin. I had something similar last year and it turned out to be a bad ground. Check the battery compartment and you'll see where the neg side of the battery bank grounds to the coach. I believe the inverter is also grounded to that same spot. Mine was finger tight, or finger loose, however you want to view it. No idea how it got so loose, but it was. Tightened it up and haven't had a problem since.