Author Topic: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave  (Read 4993 times)

Offline richardkillmon

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Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« on: December 11, 2020, 12:54:19 PM »
Hello to all,

I have an year old Onan 10K generator and a MasterVolt inverter issue.
On shore power the inverter works perfectly but on generator power the inverter start a 2 minute cycle over and over again. It starts out Bulk charging for 2 minutes (normal) and the charger shuts off for 2 minutes and then back to normal for 2 minutes.

MasterVolt states that my generator frequency wave is close but not perfectly clean and I need to filter the power.
Generator company has checked unit twice and all is normal.

Has anyone heard of this before?
What kind of filter do I add? UPS??
Is it the inverter or my generator?
What can I do?

Thanks

Rick
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline Utahclaimjumper

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2020, 01:09:45 PM »

 It looks like your talking about a CONVERTER,, or possibly an inverter/ converter.. An inverter changes 12VDC to 120 V AC .>>>Dan
Utclmjmpr  (rufcmpn)
 EX 4106 (presently SOB)
Cedar City, Ut.
 72 VW Baja towed

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2020, 01:17:32 PM »
Yes, I have a 4 AGM batteries that supply my outlets with 120 outlets once the inverter does it magic.

1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2020, 01:23:13 PM »
Does it have a battery temperature sensor? my Magnum went crazy and Magnum sent me a new battery sensor to solve the problem     
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2020, 01:27:28 PM »
Yes has battery sensor.
The Inverter tech checked all settings and wires for any errors - none.
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline buswarrior

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2020, 04:40:58 PM »
Get a "kill-o-watt" off Amazon, and check the hertz of your generator.

Generators don't make "dirty" power, that phrase is reserved for old, choppy, modified wave inverters.

Curious what the generator voltage is doing when the device in question is getting messed up?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Frozen North, Greater Toronto Area
new project: 1995 MCI 102D3, Cat 3176b, Eaton Autoshift

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2020, 04:46:44 PM »
thanks
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2020, 06:43:18 PM »
60 Hertz
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline Utahclaimjumper

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2020, 06:55:32 PM »
It don't get any better than that,, does the generator bogg down a bit when under load ?? >>>Dan
Utclmjmpr  (rufcmpn)
 EX 4106 (presently SOB)
Cedar City, Ut.
 72 VW Baja towed

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2020, 07:07:23 PM »
The RPMs never change on it
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline Utahclaimjumper

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2020, 08:49:24 AM »

 That means your frequency never changes and that's a good thing.>>>Dan
Utclmjmpr  (rufcmpn)
 EX 4106 (presently SOB)
Cedar City, Ut.
 72 VW Baja towed

Offline RichardEntrekin

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2020, 04:37:27 PM »
Is it possible that the transfer switch is flaky, and not passing clean power to the inverter/charger?  Can you temporarily wire around the xfer switch?
Richard Entrekin
2007 Marathon XL II
Ford Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, Fl

Often wrong, but seldom in doubt

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2020, 04:41:54 PM »
I have a manual transfer box that I turn to left for shore power or right to generator power.
Should I bypass this? Could the contacts be corroded?

Thanks

Rick
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

Offline richard5933

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2020, 05:32:17 PM »
I have a manual transfer box that I turn to left for shore power or right to generator power.
Should I bypass this? Could the contacts be corroded?

Thanks

Rick

Rather than bypass, you might confirm that all the terminals are fully seated and tight, even the ones on the bottom. There will likely be 9 terminals in all (L1, L2, and Neutral for each Generator, Shore Power, Line Out to Breakers).

The terminals can get loose over time and the result is often what you're describing. When you test them for being tight, be sure to give them a good crank - they can stick in place after a few years and you'll think they're tight, but another 1/4 or 1/2 turn might be possible once they break free.
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

Offline richardkillmon

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Re: Inverter issue -- they say generator dirty wave
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2020, 05:37:45 PM »
thank you for that help.
1976 MCI 5B challenger MT-644

 

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