Sykes
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2019
- Messages
- 55
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Godspeed
- Vessel Make
- Bruno Stillman 42
Here's the story. I have a 5kw NL and a Xantrex freedom 458. This is a 30 amp / 120 system. It has been flawless till now.
Took the boat out the other day. Did my normal check list, started the gen and let it warm up for 10 min. Turned off the A/C, went to the switch and changed it to generator. Waited a minute and put a load to the generator by turning on the A/C (1600 BTU). The load meter went up to high (close to30 amps) and I flipped the switch off before it could start to strain the generator. This happens sometimes when the capacitor did not have time to load. Waited about 5 min and tried again, nothing.
At this point I have no AC power and the generator is running.
Returned to the dock, plugged in the shore power and still nothing.
The Investigation - I checked the following -
1. Starting from the shore power cord to the panel, no issues. I took the cord ends apart and checked with meter, no issue. Checked on all connections and no issue.
2 From the panel switch to the inverter no issue. The inverter and charging was still working on the Xantrex.
3 From the inverter out - No shore power
4 By-passed the inverter and connected the wires together. The reverse polarity light comes on at the panel. After a few minutes of playing with the 50 amp breaker the light goes off and everything works fine. A/C is blowing and fridge and freezer are running.
5 After running for 20 minutes the breaker pops and the Reverse Polarity light is on.
At this point I have no power coming from the generator, the shore power will not work. The Reverse Polarity light is on, the 50 amp breaker will hold but any load and it pops.
I think I have narrowed it down to the breaker now, but that is to be determined.
Has anyone experienced something like this?
Took the boat out the other day. Did my normal check list, started the gen and let it warm up for 10 min. Turned off the A/C, went to the switch and changed it to generator. Waited a minute and put a load to the generator by turning on the A/C (1600 BTU). The load meter went up to high (close to30 amps) and I flipped the switch off before it could start to strain the generator. This happens sometimes when the capacitor did not have time to load. Waited about 5 min and tried again, nothing.
At this point I have no AC power and the generator is running.
Returned to the dock, plugged in the shore power and still nothing.
The Investigation - I checked the following -
1. Starting from the shore power cord to the panel, no issues. I took the cord ends apart and checked with meter, no issue. Checked on all connections and no issue.
2 From the panel switch to the inverter no issue. The inverter and charging was still working on the Xantrex.
3 From the inverter out - No shore power
4 By-passed the inverter and connected the wires together. The reverse polarity light comes on at the panel. After a few minutes of playing with the 50 amp breaker the light goes off and everything works fine. A/C is blowing and fridge and freezer are running.
5 After running for 20 minutes the breaker pops and the Reverse Polarity light is on.
At this point I have no power coming from the generator, the shore power will not work. The Reverse Polarity light is on, the 50 amp breaker will hold but any load and it pops.
I think I have narrowed it down to the breaker now, but that is to be determined.
Has anyone experienced something like this?