A few yrs back a combination circuit breaker that could effectively protect a normal house type neutral/earth tied system and protect a floating inveter type or generator type power supply.A few of these have been fitted and I'm wondering if there is any feed back on these.
I have been told of a unit that is giving a few hassles, it will run the air cond via the inverter but on start up connected to the mains the combo unit trips but the RCD on the mains inlet doesn't trip at either the supply or in the motorhome. If the air con is started up on the inverter and then the mains switched in the UPS section of the inverter switches over seamlessly and the air con continues to run. Has anyone else had issues with false drop outs?
T1 Terry
RCD/RVD combo switch
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T1 Terry
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RCD/RVD combo switch
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
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PandJ R away
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Terry
I believe I have one of these in the Coaster and it was fitted approx 2 years ago.
To this time we have not used 240v very often and so our experience is limited.
Mostly the 240v is supplied through the inverter and used for small appliances ie charging etc and sometimes the Birko.
The most common use of mains supply 240v was for periodic charging of the AGM batteries before we increased the size of the solar array. Now with 800w on the roof and the Li batteries I don't have to do this.
When the bigger inverter is fitted we intend to use excess solar capacity to heat the water in the calorifier when we are parked up and then our 240v system will be used more. I have used mains 240v a number of times recently to test the element in the calorifier and charge some hand tools.
With our current usage we have had not any issue with the RCD/RVD.
There was a fellow on the old CMCA forum who was a strong advocate and presented as being knowledgable about this sort of device. i found the information persuasive. I have no reference or copies for any of that info but I think he came from Jimboomba in QLD and could have been Jim. Others may have a better recollections
John
I believe I have one of these in the Coaster and it was fitted approx 2 years ago.
To this time we have not used 240v very often and so our experience is limited.
Mostly the 240v is supplied through the inverter and used for small appliances ie charging etc and sometimes the Birko.
The most common use of mains supply 240v was for periodic charging of the AGM batteries before we increased the size of the solar array. Now with 800w on the roof and the Li batteries I don't have to do this.
When the bigger inverter is fitted we intend to use excess solar capacity to heat the water in the calorifier when we are parked up and then our 240v system will be used more. I have used mains 240v a number of times recently to test the element in the calorifier and charge some hand tools.
With our current usage we have had not any issue with the RCD/RVD.
There was a fellow on the old CMCA forum who was a strong advocate and presented as being knowledgable about this sort of device. i found the information persuasive. I have no reference or copies for any of that info but I think he came from Jimboomba in QLD and could have been Jim. Others may have a better recollections
John
Based on Sunshine Coast QLD with a '92 Toyota Coaster LWB and a 1990 Hilux fitted with an Aussie Traveller Deluxe rooftop.
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T1 Terry
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Thanks for your reply John. I believe that would be Peter (Oldtrack on the CF) you were thinking of from he old CMCA forum and I think he drops in here every so often. I believe he was involved with the original concept and it was his information that also persuaded me to invest in a few as I could see the benefits, much easier than trying to switch between an earth neutral linked and non linked system when a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) type inverter was used.
I'm trying to determine if this is a common fault with inductive loads like an air compressor or if this unit is just a bit touchy or if indeed there is a fault in the air con that the other 2 RCD’s don’t detect. this is the only one so far that has given trouble that I know of but I'd like to determine just what the problem is before I recommend them to anyone else.
T1 Terry
I'm trying to determine if this is a common fault with inductive loads like an air compressor or if this unit is just a bit touchy or if indeed there is a fault in the air con that the other 2 RCD’s don’t detect. this is the only one so far that has given trouble that I know of but I'd like to determine just what the problem is before I recommend them to anyone else.
T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
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PandJ R away
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
I have a small Stanley 240v compressor with holding tank that I have used a few times(I love the air rivet gun)from the inverter without problems. I have a removable cable that goes from the inverter to the power in socket.
Eric was asking about my RCD/RVD switch the other day.
Lets see what others experiences are.
John
Eric was asking about my RCD/RVD switch the other day.
Lets see what others experiences are.
John
Based on Sunshine Coast QLD with a '92 Toyota Coaster LWB and a 1990 Hilux fitted with an Aussie Traveller Deluxe rooftop.
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T1 Terry
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
That might be enough load, is your inverter a UPS type? If the mains are connected does it feed the power straight through the inverter to the combo RCD/RVD and then to the 240vac pwer circuit?
T1 Terry
T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
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PandJ R away
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
No Trevor, The inverter is just an inverter.
The 240v power in socket is a control point. 240v either comes from the mains or from the inverter to the same inlet. There is no opportunity for 2 supplies It then goes directly to RCD/RVD switch and is then distributed to switched points.
John
The 240v power in socket is a control point. 240v either comes from the mains or from the inverter to the same inlet. There is no opportunity for 2 supplies It then goes directly to RCD/RVD switch and is then distributed to switched points.
John
Based on Sunshine Coast QLD with a '92 Toyota Coaster LWB and a 1990 Hilux fitted with an Aussie Traveller Deluxe rooftop.
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oldtrack123
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Hi
The early Protex RVD/ did have unexpected problems , with some inverters & generators, due to wave form.
And they were a little too sensitive.
They have now been modified , successfully ,I believe'.
They are polarity sensitive & this can lead to false tripping IF the correct polarity is not maintained into the van etc,
from the mains supply
The original Co has been taken over.
I would suggest that anyone having problems contact:
info@powerstream.com.au
Peter
The early Protex RVD/ did have unexpected problems , with some inverters & generators, due to wave form.
And they were a little too sensitive.
They have now been modified , successfully ,I believe'.
They are polarity sensitive & this can lead to false tripping IF the correct polarity is not maintained into the van etc,
from the mains supply
The original Co has been taken over.
I would suggest that anyone having problems contact:
info@powerstream.com.au
Peter
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oldtrack123
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Hi TerryT1 Terry wrote:A few yrs back a combination circuit breaker that could effectively protect a normal house type neutral/earth tied system and protect a floating inveter type or generator type power supply.A few of these have been fitted and I'm wondering if there is any feed back on these.
I have been told of a unit that is giving a few hassles, it will run the air cond via the inverter but on start up connected to the mains the combo unit trips but the RCD on the mains inlet doesn't trip at either the supply or in the motorhome. If the air con is started up on the inverter and then the mains switched in the UPS section of the inverter switches over seamlessly and the air con continues to run. Has anyone else had issues with false drop outs?
T1 Terry
Is the inverter an automatic transfer unit?
Creating an internal neutral??
Does the problem only occur with the Air con & not other HEAVY loads??
Brand & model of inverter may help
Sterling Sal on Caravanners had a problem with an early unit which has been corrected & I believe she is now very happy
Peter
Last edited by oldtrack123 on Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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supersparky
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Terry, I have one of those units on the test bench at the moment. It was supposed to be fitted by now, but you know how it is sometimes. I have access to a 2Kw full sine wave inverter and a 10A UPS, and a bit of other stuff. I will see if I can replicate anything like that. What size airco unit is it?
Cheers
David
David and Terrie
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David
David and Terrie
2006 Winnebago Alpine
Not all who wander are lost.
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T1 Terry
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Re: RCD/RVD combo switch
Hi Peter,
The inverter is a 2500w 24v UPS type inverter/charger similar to this unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/4000w-8000w-pur ... 20c3c934bf it doesn't make an internal earth/neutral link like the Victron or Rich units do. This is a the very early models and unfortunately I have a few more that I bought for my conversion as well. might need to contact Ian @ powerstream and I'll see how I go, i don't think I'm still on his christmas card list some how
Hi Dave,
The aircon unit is a Dometic roof top unit, it pulls about 45 amps@26v when running on the inverter. It does seem to only be the air cond that has the problem, the hot water system doesn't nor does the induction cook top I believe.
T1 Terry
The inverter is a 2500w 24v UPS type inverter/charger similar to this unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/4000w-8000w-pur ... 20c3c934bf it doesn't make an internal earth/neutral link like the Victron or Rich units do. This is a the very early models and unfortunately I have a few more that I bought for my conversion as well. might need to contact Ian @ powerstream and I'll see how I go, i don't think I'm still on his christmas card list some how
Hi Dave,
The aircon unit is a Dometic roof top unit, it pulls about 45 amps@26v when running on the inverter. It does seem to only be the air cond that has the problem, the hot water system doesn't nor does the induction cook top I believe.
T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves