Inverter fan sycling on during storage?

[jkordzi]

We have our 5.0TA in storage for a while and it's plugged in to keep the battery charged. Its under cover and I'm not sure the solar panel gets enough sun to keep the batteries charged. I'm guessing the circuit is pretty low amperage, as it doesn't supply enough power to run the microwave. I've noticed that the inverter seems to continuously cycle on and off every few minutes. Anyone know why this is happening? I have tried to turn it off (the plug icon disappears) but that doesn't seem to help. Thanks.

[cpaharley2008]

Your inverter should be turned off while not in use. Since you are plugged in you converter is charging your batteries. I'd check your battery liquid to insure it is at the correct level. Normally, in storage, your tuen off the master switch and just let the solar keep your battery charged.

[Vermilye]

I'd listen carefully to be sure it is the inverter fan, not the converter fan. If it is the GoPower GP-HS1500 inverter, there is an on/off/remote switch on the front. Mine has never run the fan while the plug icon is off, but switch it off with the manual switch and the fan should stop cycling.

[jkordzi]

Thanks. I didn't turn off the battery switch as I wasn't sure that the batteries would charge, but I'll do that. I'll also check that inverter switch.

[rbryan4]

Joe, I'm pretty sure you're talking about the converter/charger, not the inverter. There's a fan inside that kicks on and off because it gets hot when it's charging your batteries. Also, Jon was not referring to the battery isolator switch, but the inverter switch. That's used to turn the inverter on and off and has nothing to do with charging.

[jkordzi]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Joe, I'm pretty sure you're talking about the converter/charger, not the inverter. There's a fan inside that kicks on and off because it gets hot when it's charging your batteries. Also, Jon was not referring to the battery isolator switch, but the inverter switch. That's used to turn the inverter on and off and has nothing to do with charging.

Thanks. So the battery isolator switch just prevents any current from going out of the battery but doesn't prevent it from being charged either thru the solar or shore power?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by jkordzi

Thanks. So the battery isolator switch just prevents any current from going out of the battery but doesn't prevent it from being charged either thru the solar or shore power?

The battery isolator will isolate the batteries from basically everything except for the inverter, the solar, or the CO2 detector, because they're wired in a way that bypasses the switch. So in order to charge the batteries via shore power, leave the battery isolator switch up.

[cpaharley2008]

The switch is intended to eliminate parasitic draw from the battery during non use. It cuts all power to/from the battery EXCEPT solar which is wired direct to the battery.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by jkordzi

Thanks. So the battery isolator switch just prevents any current from going out of the battery but doesn't prevent it from being charged either thru the solar or shore power?

It's just a switch, so it's not directional. As Robert said, you need it turned on to allow charging of the battery by the converter, which is located in the WFCO Power Center.