Inverter Failures - Page 3

 



I'm using an autotransformer right now with one OB 3600 watt inverter to run
my well pump because the other inverter is now just a battery charger
(temporarily, I hope).  There was a discussion on this NG a month or two ago
with a lot of suggestions on more effecient, cheaper transformers.  I can't
seem to recall the heading.  Perhaps Neon John may remember.

 

On Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:30:48 GMT, Ecnerwal


Not a bad idea -- and I've thought of it.  I do have a spare inverter, but
it's been sitting for seven years.  Will it work?  Who knows? :-)
--ron

 



     You have a pressure tank right?  Assuming that you are only going to lost
one inverter at a time, your backup plan could look like this: Conserve, and run
your 110 V. loads off of one inverter.  Start up the genny to run the well pump
at shower time and briefly at other times of high water demand.

It should not take you more than two or three weeks to either get your inverter
repaired or buy a new one.

Vaughn

 

On Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:12:57 GMT, "Vaughn Simon"


run

That is my present plan.  But out of necessity rather than conscious
thought :-)  Hence this post.

Thanks.
--ron

 

On Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:40:32 -0400, Ron Rosenfeld


No data, just anecdotes - mine are nearly 13 years old. I know of
several other SWs about the same age.
  

A lightning strike could take out both inverters at once - you could
stock say, the biggest Samlex you're willing to invest in to keep you
going.


I had some problems early on. With the factory's approval I removed
all the circuit boards and sent only those parts in. That made the
shipping easier and saved some money, but it didn't reduce the
down-time at all. It was a couple weeks as I recall.


(Assuming you have a single-pump setup) Running the well pump off the
backup generator might be bearable if your pressure tank is large
enough. If not, here's what I recommended to a friend who's worried
about grid failure rendering his fire sprinkler system inoperable (he
already has multiple pressure tanks) - a storage tank as big as you
can fit in the basement or whatever, along with a DC pressure pump. It
could have manual valves and switches, or be online ready to take over
whenever the normal pressure system fails. An additional benefit is
that such a setup could provide backup in case of submersible failure,
something that could easily take a week to fix. You could even put it
online full-time which might save some energy and extend the life of
your submersible. For backup you could use relatively inexpensive
diaphragm pump(s), for full-time use something like this might be
worthwhile http://store.solar-electric.com/water-dankoffsp-2900.html .

Wayne