Hello All - First post!
Considering the available info on the interwebs (including some posts here) and given the price point, I decided to have a crack at a 24v Power Jack LF 5000W inverter for use on a rural property (if anything to get started without sinking too much into big brand names just yet). Details of my set-up/issue are below, but in-short, my problem is that this inverter appears to be performing like a 3000W unit not a 5000W unit.
I don't think it's voltage drop. The inverter is relatively cool. The fan in it works. My only conclusion is they put the wrong sticker on the box!?
Thus far I've only had the typical (almost to be expected
) fob-off response from the manufacturer.
I certainly didn't expect to be running the unit anywhere near 5000W regularly or for prolonged durations, but I do expect it to perform at the rated value... or are my expectations a bit off-kilter?
So - any thoughts, advice, or experiences from the anotherpower community would be much appreciated!
DETAILS
Batteries - 2 x 12V 230AH Gel Batteries connected in series to make 24V. Brand New - fully charged (the Solar Charge Controller shows it usually around the 27V mark).
Cable - 4 AWG Power Cable (Current Capacity: 100A, Resist. @ 20oC: 0.00112Ohms) – 2 x 115cm lengths for the + & - connections with 1 x 8cm length joining the two batteries. 1.5mm thick Gold Plated Crimp Eye Terminals are used on all connections.
Test - I tested it with a variety of appliances and found that with loads under 3000W the inverter performed without error/alarm, however over 3000W it alarms. For example with a 1220W Pop Corn Machine and Hair Dryer set to a lower power of 1200W the inverter would run at 2500W/11A without issue. Add a 580W Grinder to the Inverter and it then runs at 3080W/13A and continues running with the “Slight Overload Alarm” on (this is just the red alarm light coming on, but the Inv light stays on, and power output continues). However then switching the Hair Dryer to the full 2000W the inverter reads out 3800W/14A and the “Moderate Overload Alarm” immediately kicks in, and 1min later all lights went off and power output stopped, with a constant beep ("Buzzer") tone - until I power the inverter off. The same alarm happens with just the Pop Corn machine and Hair Dryer running at 3450W/14A. So basically, anywhere above 3000W and the unit alarms, as I would expect it to do at the 5000W mark.