[Archived]

Gil,

Actually, they can both be turned on at the same time. I guess the folks at Vulcan hoped people would be smart enough not to do it. This is all 1992 vintage stuff. I plan to so some updates as I go along. I have never plugged in to shore power, so my experience is all generator so far. When I push the button to turn the inverter on, it starts to flash and then my two 120v gauges come to life. If the generator is on, the light on the inverter button flashes. I was told this shows that batteries are being charged. If I shut the generator off, the light on the inverter button stays on solid. This means all power comes from inverter. That is what I was told anyway. Odd thing is that even with batteries showing at 100%, if I turn off the generator the two 120v gauges drop down to about 40-50v. House batteries are new. Don’t know if this is inverter issues, wiring, or some other component. Still learning and trying to figure this thing out.

[Archived]

Dale,

What is the make and model of your inverter? When the gauges are reading 40-50 volts what is the voltage at an inverter powered outlet when reading between nuetral and hot and ground and hot?

[Dale]

I’m really of good with this electrical stuff. I have never done any testing. I know that even though the gauges show only 40-50v, everything still works. They are old needle type gauges so I don’t know if they are accurate. I’ll see if I can find someone who can come test it.

The inverter is a very early Trace. Nothing like the modern stuff. Lots of push buttons on it that I don’t understand, but it works well… I think. It looks similar to this. I’m sure I need to upgrade it to run my LED TVs and computers anyway.

[Greg]

Dale,

I looked up the manual for your inverter. When the light is solid then the inverter is supplying 120V inverted power. When it’s flashing it is in Search Mode. This means there’s not enough demand for AC for the inverter to be on. Based on what you said, I assume the generator was supplying needed AC.

Don’t get to concerned with low voltage readings if everything is working. It could be the way the meters are wired. With a voltmeter you can confirm the right voltage. I assume you don’t have the inverter’s remote panel.

I really hope there is an automatic transfer switch or relay between the shore and generator power. If not, being able to select both with the breakers is dangerous. Don’t touch the blades on the shore power plug with the generator on and both generator and shore power breakers on. You will be electrocuted if there isn’t a relay or transfer switch somewhere.