Date:         Tue, 9 Apr 2013 17:48:19 -0700
Reply-To:     neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon Electrical Work and DC - AC Inverter
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hey folks.

Since some people's Vanagons may have large inverters, just beware
that your inverter may hold a charge even if it hasn't been powered up
in a while.

Though I knew an inverter could hold a charge after being used, it
seems that an inverter may constantly draw enough power, even when
OFF, to allow it to store a charge.

My 400 Watt inverter is wired into the aux. battery circuit. With the
Aux. battery negative clamp disconnected, while disconnecting the
positive clamp and accidentally allowing my wrench to contact the
vehicle frame, I saw a sizeable spark. (my inverter was likely last
used over a year ago) Even after that, when turning my inverter on to
discharge it, it "beeped" and the LED light up. Using my multi meter,
I could watch as the inverter voltage slowly dropped while holding
down the "On" button.

It's likely that all this is NOTHING to worry about, but at the very
least, seeing a spark *after battery ground disconnected*, is slightly
unnerving.

Neil.

--
Neil n

Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca

'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:

http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej