A Few Power Inverter Tips

Power Line Connection - Never leave an inverter connected to a line where other power (Vac) may feed into inverter.  It doesn’t matter if inverter is on or off

Use in Moist or Damp Areas - Using inverters in moist areas is a common cause for their drivers to burn out.  Even an outdoor extension cord that was laying in a puddle a day previously, may have enough moisture to burn out the drivers of the inverter. 

Use in Rain - If using inverter in rain one day, allow cords that may have gotten wet to dry a few days before using in inverter again

Protect the Inverter's Fan - Always prevent foreign objects from entering inverter through the vent or fan openings

Battery and Inverter Cable Connection - Keep cables between inverter and batteries as short as possible.  This will help your batteries perform their best

Nuts - Don’t over tighten nuts to battery or inverter, but do check them occasionally.

Cable Weight - If the cables between your battery and inverter get hot while under heavy load, then you should consider using heavier cables

Neutral Line - Both “hot” and “neutral” lines are hot on inverters.  Do not ground the neutral line.  Do not connect neutral to panels that may have neutral grounded.

12Vdc Inverter High Voltage Protection - Using a 12Vdc inverter, your input Voltage should never exceed 15Vdc or the inverter may shut down with Over Temp and you should hear an audible beep

Continuous Operation Range - When selecting an inverter, try to buy one that will stay in the continuous operating range and do not rely on advertised surges

110Vac Outlets - Standard 110Vac outlets are typically rated at 1500W or 15Amps.  This is for heat dissipation through the outlet and is not a limitation of the inverter

Cable Length - If cables need to be run, it is best to keep inverter as close as possible to batteries.  Use extension cords on the output side (Vac output) rather than extending the Vdc cables. 

Mobile Inverter Use - Contractors often need to mount the inverter in the back of their trucks.  In a case like this it would be best to mount a secondary battery near the inverter and wire it to the primary truck battery

AC Plug Testers - Ac plug testers do not work with inverters.  You would see an open ground

Lightning Storms - Be aware of lighting storms.  If struck, inverter would go to a permanent Over load state and may even smoke

Extension Cord Length - Vac extension cords should not exceed 200 feet or you will have signal loss

Electronics - Inverters emit RF and may cause interference.  This is noticeable in AM radio and often monitors and computer mice