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Topic Title: Do you use a surge protector with your inverter?
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Created On: 09/30/2011 11:17:12 AM
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 09/30/2011 11:17:12 AM
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endurance
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Xantrex just fixed my Freedom Marine 2500 watt inverter under warranty. They sent a letter saying that a power surge had damaged it. They said that power surges aren't covered under warranty but that they fixed it for customer goodwill.

If I really have a surge problem, I ought to get a surge protector. Ones that are surge protection only go for $80 - $100. Ones that have surge protection and over and under voltage protection are more like $200.

On the other hand, I have been around long enough that "power surge" is a pretty handy catch-all excuse when a manufacturer's product fails. Has anyone else had surge issues? How about claimed surge issues by a product manufacturer?

Edited: 10/03/2011 at 04:14:23 PM by endurance
 10/03/2011 09:02:37 PM
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FranticallyRelaxing
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The inverter in our motorhome runs 2 circuits-- the microwave on one, and the TV and coffee pot plug on another. That's ALL the inverter powers. It IS connected to shore power, and when the shore power is hot, the inverter stops inverting and sends the shore power (instead of inverter power) to the breaker box.

Now, I'm not sure why a surge would affect the inverter, since it's just sending the current to the junction box and not actually USING it for anything. Some fragile piece of electronic equipment in the bypass circuit, I guess...

Anyway-- the inverter in our boat will never have that problem, because it's not connected to any outside AC source, just the house batteries. I have a switch on my lower helm, and with it I'm either on shore power, OR genny power, OR inverter power, OR no power. And that's the way I like it, no automatic switch boxes or bypass circuits to malfunction.

As for power surges, the only time I've ever had one was when lighting hit my house...

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1988 SkipperLiner 53x14
1995 Tracker Party Cruiser 32 *for sale*
2003 Chaparral 260 SSI
2000 Allegro Bus 40' DP
 10/04/2011 07:47:17 AM
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endurance
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I forgot to mention that the Freedom Marine 25 is an inverter/charger. Its max charge rate is 130 amps. It consumes close to 15 amps at 110 volts to do that. So in its charge mode, it is a consumer of electricity. If it were going to be susceptible to a surge, a high voltage condition, or a low voltage condition, I'm guessing that would be the time. Or maybe Xantrex is looking for an excuse to avoid another repair if it happens again.
 10/05/2011 01:33:07 PM
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FranticallyRelaxing
Admiral

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Joined: 09/10/2006

I forget that some inverters are also battery chargers-- The one in our boat is, but isn't wired as such, the boat's PO installed a separate Xantrex charger for the house batteries. The inverter only inverts. (and my solar panel does a good enough job I never have to use the charger)

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1988 SkipperLiner 53x14
1995 Tracker Party Cruiser 32 *for sale*
2003 Chaparral 260 SSI
2000 Allegro Bus 40' DP
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