AIMS Inverter/Charger Problems

[sovocoolp]

I have the AIMS 4000w inverter charger (PICOGLF40W12V230V ). While I was on a trip, I heard the inverter beeping like it was getting low voltage. I turned it off for the evening. The next morning I started the bus and powered up the DC-DC Charger. When I went to power on the inverter in Power Saver Off mode, the switch would not turn on. While hooked up to shore power I was able to turn on the power saver mode and it charged my batteries. Even after the batteries were at a full charge, the inverter will not turn on using the Power Saver Off mode. I seen somewhere, where they say check the fuse. Is that an easy thing to do, or does the inverter have to be taken apart to do so?

 

[rffffffff]

I really know nothing about AIMS inverters but it sounds like the voltage to the inverter is low. It could be wiring to the inverter or really dead batteries but you need to check the incoming voltage with a meter so you know what kind of incoming voltage it is seeing before you do anything else. The power saving mode may pull less current so the problem isn’t as bad but when that’s off it may pull the voltage down too low.

Wire size, bad connections and dead batteries all seem likely problems.

 

[sovocoolp]

Thanks for the reply. I thought that too at first, but I charged the batteries. When connected to shore power, the inverter will charge the batteries and run all of the equipment. It just doesn't work in normal operation mode.

 

[rffffffff]

That kinda sucks, it does sound like a bad inverter.

It's off topic but I have to say my experience with the Chinese inverters like aims had me send them all back and I ended up with a victron that cost 4x as much and I don't regret it. Hopefully someone else can chime in with some better help. diysolarforum may be a good place to ask too.

 

[Doktari]

I’m suspicious of those batteries. Keep a meter on them and see what they do. I have a Sterling Power 2100 watt inverter Charger that I’m wondering how long it will last. Made in China. It gets warm and the fan runs. Never a good sign for efficiency. Ive run my 1200 watt hot water heater and it hums loud. My Victron didnt do that. Luckily I got this inverter Charger cheap on eBay so if it quits it’s not a big loss. But that must be very inconvenient without your inverter. Have you diagnosed it now?.

 

[bus-bro]

Pray tell, but how did you cable a 12 volt 4000 watt inverter to your batteries, and what is your battery bank?

 

[rffffffff]

Pray tell, but how did you cable a 12 volt 4000 watt inverter to your batteries, and what is your battery bank?

I had a 3500w 5000 peak inverter at 12v and I used 4/0 welding cable and a 400a fuse. It’s beefy but doable. Second setup was 24v for a lot of reasons and that cable is of them.

 

[bus-bro]

My 12 volt 2800 watt inverter recommends 4/0 cables at less than a 5 foot one-way cable run, and double 4/0 cables at more than 5 feet. Some of that copper is probably to lessen voltage drop, at least I assume.

At high amps the voltage drop adds up.