inverting the inverter

[wobbly ollie]

I want to move our inverter to a new position. I plan to move it from its prominent position on the cabin fore/aft bulkhead through 90 degrees to the rear bulkhead where it will be less unsightly and can be boxed in. However I intend to keep everything connected and because of the limited length of the cables I'll need to 'invert the inverter' in its new location. l just wanted to check this is okay re mount it effectively upside-down?

[Robbo]

This depends on the inverter.  It may not also like been boxed in as they generate some heat and this will degrade its be performance if it can't cool itself down.

[Chewbacka]

No idea, mine (Studer) can be mounted any way up, best you check on the manual.  However - depending on how powerful it is - they can have a lot of heat to shift and so will usually require adequate ventilation which it wont get in a little box.  Electronics do not like to get hot.

[wobbly ollie]

Good point...i never realised they get warm....

[WotEver]

21 minutes ago, wobbly ollie said:

Good point...i never realised they get warm....

And the vent slots and internal components are usually designed for the airflow to cool everything down when it's the normal way up. I suggest asking the manufacturer/supplier. 

If it doesn't have any ventilation slots then I can't see any reason not to mount it upside down, it's not like the electrons will fall out

[MtB]

The definitive answer can be found by reading the installation instructions....

Edited April 3, 2017 by Mike the Boilerman

[Chewbacka]

16 hours ago, wobbly ollie said:

Good point...i never realised they get warm....

A few assumptions -  The inverter is 95% efficient and is a 2500W inverter.  So at full output of 2500W it will consume about 2635W.  The difference between in and out being the heat lost inside the inverter.  So about 135W at full output.  Some older inverters from memory were more like 90% efficient so maybe 200W or so at full output.  Which is a fair amount of heat to get rid of. 

[WotEver]

28 minutes ago, Chewbacka said:

Some older inverters from memory were more like 90% efficient so maybe 200W or so

Many older ones were 80% efficient. 

[Chewbacka]

35 minutes ago, WotEver said:

Many older ones were 80% efficient. 

In that case it a 3kW inverter would be more like 600W - about the same as some small low power hair dryers.  Can't see that lasting long in an unventilated box

[WotEver]

16 minutes ago, Chewbacka said:

In that case it a 3kW inverter would be more like 600W - about the same as some small low power hair dryers.  Can't see that lasting long in an unventilated box

Whichever way up it is

[wobbly ollie]

Okay folks....thanks for that. Ill not box it in. I'll check with the manufacturer about mounting it upside down. Its only 1000w by the way....

[WotEver]

You'll probably be fine with it upside down but the mfr's word is gospel. 

[Keeping Up]

4 minutes ago, WotEver said:

You'll probably be fine with it upside down but the mfr's word is gospel. 

Unless of course it's a Sterling

[Richard10002]

Is the make and model a secret?

[tree monkey]

I've no idea why that tickled me so much but the idea of the electrons falling out has made me giggle.

What sort of container could be used to catch any accidental spill?

[rusty69]

4 minutes ago, tree monkey said:

What sort of container could be used to catch any accidental spill?

A satellite dish? 

[Chewbacka]

15 minutes ago, tree monkey said:

I've no idea why that tickled me so much but the idea of the electrons falling out has made me giggle.

What sort of container could be used to catch any accidental spill?

A flux capacitor of course............

[MoominPapa]

2 hours ago, tree monkey said:

I've no idea why that tickled me so much but the idea of the electrons falling out has made me giggle.

What sort of container could be used to catch any accidental spill?

A Leyden jar?

 

MP.