Initial power surge..

[minime]

I have an air conditioning machine (less than 1000w) which I have put into my van which is to be ran off an inverter (1500w), the problem is when the air con starts up it pulls too much power and causes the inverter to go into protect mode (even though its supposed to be 3000w surge)

I know it will run the air con as if you keep trying it will eventually start and run, its just the initial spike thats the problem. Does anyone know of a way I can get around this?

Any help much appreciated!

 

[(*steve*)]

Get a larger inverter.

The compressor takes longer to start up than your inverter can supply it's "surge power"

 

[Raven Luni]

Wouldnt a choke coil fix the problem?

 

[twister]

Also, is your inverter a sine wave type? Induction motors don't run well on the cheap inverters. They tend to get hot. After it has been running, don't try to start it immediately. Wait about 5 minutes till the pressure bleeds off. It will start much easier, then.

 

[Rleo6965]

I forgot the multiple of starting current against normal running current. More than 10 times? this due counter emf, torgue and load of motor. I work as Industrial Technician before in Knitting company and my supervisor mentioned it to me. That's very long time ago.

 

[minime]

(*Steve*): You have it spot on, I just need some sort of work around

Raven Luni: I have looked up choke coils and they are used for blocking AC and allowing DC, how would that help?

Twister: Unfortunatly it is only a modified sine wave inverter. I do have a really cheap 700w inverter aswell (also modified sine) which will start (most of the time) and run the aircon for a while before overheating as it working above its capable power output

 

[twister]

(*Steve*): You have it spot on, I just need some sort of work around

Raven Luni: I have looked up choke coils and they are used for blocking AC and allowing DC, how would that help?

Twister: Unfortunatly it is only a modified sine wave inverter. I do have a really cheap 700w inverter aswell (also modified sine) which will start (most of the time) and run the aircon for a while before overheating as it working above its capable power output

It's wierd that the 700w will start it but the big one won't. Isn't electronics fun? ha

 

[twister]

Sometimes the start capacitor goes bad. Check and see if it starts good on regular AC power.