Conext SW4048 4,000W 48V Installation

Inverter Applications
975-0638-01-03 5–3
Inverter Applications
The Conext SW performs differently depending on the AC loads connected to it.
If you are having problems with any of your loads, read this section.
Resistive Loads Resistive loads are the easiest and most efficient to drive. Voltage and current
are in phase, which means they are in step with one another. Resistive loads
generate heat in order to accomplish their tasks. Toasters, coffee pots, and
incandescent lights are typical resistive loads. It is usually impractical to run
larger resistive loads—such as electric stoves and water heaters—from an
inverter due to their high current requirements. Even though the inverter may be
able to accommodate the load, the size of battery bank will limit inverter run time.
Motor Loads Induction motors (AC motors without brushes) require up to six times their
running current on startup. The most demanding are those that start under load
(for example, compressors and pumps). Of the capacitor start motors (typical in
drill presses and band saws, for example), the largest you can expect to run is
1 horsepower. Universal motors are generally easier to start. Check that the
Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) rating of the motor load does not exceed the
maximum surge current rating of the inverter. Since motor characteristics vary,
only testing will determine whether a specific load can be started and how long it
can be run.
If a motor does not start within a few seconds or loses power after running for a
time, it should be turned off. When the inverter attempts to start a load that is
greater than it can handle, the inverter may shut down from an AC overload fault.
Problem Loads Very Small Loads If the power consumed by a device is less than the threshold
of the search mode circuitry, and search mode is enabled, the inverter will not
run. Most likely the solution will be to disable Search Mode or lower the sense
threshold.
Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Power Supplies Some devices cannot be
detected when scanned by search mode circuitry. Small fluorescent lights are
the most common example. Some computers and sophisticated electronics have
power supplies that do not present a load until line voltage is available. When this
occurs, each unit waits for the other to begin. To drive these loads, either a small
companion load like a light bulb rated for more than the Search Watts setting
must be used to bring the inverter out of search mode, or the inverter may be
programmed to remain on by disabling Search Mode. (See “Using Search Mode”
on page 4–12.)
Clocks You may notice that your clocks are not accurate. Some of the clocks on
your appliances may reset when the Conext SW is in search mode.
Searching When the inverter is in search mode, it may not start some loads
even though the rated wattage on the load is more than the Search Watts
setting. Disable Search or apply an additional load (companion load) to make the
inverter exit search mode.