Inverter issue

[howson]

So last night, I turned on my inverter, and immediately the inverter GFI tripped. This is the first time this happened. So I shut off all the breakers and turned the inverter back on. Then, I started turning on breakers and the when I got to the living room outlet breaker, the inverter's GFI tripped again. I thought there must be a problem with that circuit. But no... I repeated the test and then it tripped on a different breaker. When all the breakers were on, it tripped every time within a couple of seconds. It was getting late, and I decided to just leave everything alone and work on it this morning.

This morning, I went to start trouble-shooting and now, the only way I can get the inverter gfi to trip is to push the test button. I changed nothing between last night and this morning. Last night, the gfi wouldn't stay on at all. This morning it won't trip at all. .

Ugh.

From the reading I've done, the inverters with built-in GFCIs are good for single device connections. In other words, plugging a device directly into them (refrigerator, microwave, etc). Inserting the output of a GFCI-enabled inverter into a circuit (or distribution panel) apparently causes ghost GFCI faults.

I'm a shadetree electrician (at best), but my .02 for those considering a new system (or a replacement inverter) is to stay away from GFCI protected devices. Typically these are the inverters with female outlets vs lug connections. (Not always true but a general rule.)

[TucsonJim]

Ugh.

From the reading I've done, the inverters with built-in GFCIs are good for single device connections. In other words, plugging a device directly into them (refrigerator, microwave, etc). Inserting the output of a GFCI-enabled inverter into a circuit (or distribution panel) apparently causes ghost GFCI faults.

I'm a shadetree electrician (at best), but my .02 for those considering a new system (or a replacement inverter) is to stay away from GFCI protected devices. Typically these are the inverters with female outlets vs lug connections. (Not always true but a general rule.)

That sounds like good advice to me. It's funny that I've never had an issue with it for two years.

Jim

[KamFlyer]

Is it just me or do those battery cable look a bit small for 3000W? Should be 2/0 minimum and preferably 4/0. 3000W at 13V = ~230A
-Rob-

[Glamping4two]

Is it just me or do those battery cable look a bit small for 3000W? Should be 2/0 minimum and preferably 4/0. 3000W at 13V = ~230A
-Rob-

Thanks rob, I’m running 2/0. Plenty good.