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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Need Electrical help
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krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 14:58
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I have a pel pro 130 pellet stove that runs great as long as the Gen is running. as soon as I shut off the gen and try to run it on solar power it shuts down. Even with a full charge and no other items on it will not run. I run an aims 300 watt inverter for my 120 loads and all other items like my 14cf refrigerator, 120 volt outlets all are fine. any suggestions on how to trouble shoot this.

krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 14:59
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I run a Aims 3000 watt inverter pure sign wave

jhp
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 15:04
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Have you ever tried to do a cold start on the stove on the inverter? It may be detecting the voltage drop when the genrator turns off and interrupting the burn cycle.

So start with the generator off and on solar only, then plug in the stove, does it go through its normal startup and fire then? If not does it have any power at all - blinkey lights or the auger turning or anything?

krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 15:30
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jhp, Thanks for the reply. I have tried that. it attempts to start, auger sends pellets down to fire box, the igniter heats up and even lights but the fan will not come on , I then get the fail to ignite blinking yellow light. I've replaced the main modal and trim control . Have not replaced the motor due to the fact that it works with the Gen. Pel Pro says its a wiring problem but I disagree as it runs great when the gen is running. my gen is hooked to my inverter for charging of my batteries.

krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 15:34
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Is it possible that I am not creating enough amperage to run the motor? 900 w did 120 v = 7.5 amps ?

ICC
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 15:40
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Do you have access to a different inverter you can try?

krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 15:49
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I do not have one but could always get one and try that. problem should have a back up. That's why I love this site. Thank you ICC

jhp
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 16:21
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I would try another high draw heavy startup load appliance on the inverter and battery - like a vaccum cleaner or a large miter saw. Any issues running those?

Do you have the same thing happen with the generator side of things completely disconnected - to rule out any of the failover sensing circuits in the inverter?

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2019 23:49
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I would say it's not a pellet stove problem. Have you checked the voltage with gen on and off? If this is a new inverter I would say give them a call and return it.

SCSJeff
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 07:33
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My two cents:

My pellet stove manual specifically states it must run off of a pure sine wave.

I assume your Generator is a pure sine wave? (If not, then discard everything else I'm saying

I do agree the size of your inverter should be big enough to handle the pellet stove...

So that makes me wonder if the AIMS is really putting out a clean sine wave???

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 08:18
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Yes, I think Jeff is right, it may be seeing AC, but more of a square wave or modified sine wave but inverter, especially the lower cost ones may not. Need a true sine wave unit, comes at a cost.

I have always wondered why these are not low voltage (pellet stove) and one can use a 12V battery and have it on a trickle charger when power is available keeping battery fully charged for power outages.

Is there a 12V system available?

krstrout1
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 08:38
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Thanks to all comments, The Aims inverter is a 3000 watt Pure sign wave. My gen is the old reliable champion 4800 6 years old NON INVERTER type. all other loads work great on the solar, Refrig, Vacuum , the ol dreaded hair dryer. I have 12v outlets in each room so I will try ICC's advice and get a different inverter and make a cord to plug it in to a 12v outlet and plug the stove directly into that, any thoughts.

SCSJeff
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 10:09
Reply 


In that case...

Maybe a grounding issue? IE: Neutral/Ground Bound

Probably doesn't exist on the generator, but N/G may be bonded on inverter...

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 19:56
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I'd bet the neutral ground bond doesnt exist on the inverter either. In fact, its like the generator. Its only a ground if you hook it to a ground rod.

SCSJeff
Member
# Posted: 20 Dec 2019 22:21
Reply 


Hmm...

Well, I know my GFCI Receptacles wouldn't trip (with the GFCI Tester) until I bonded the N/G on my generator (I do not have my generator directly grounded to earth. Although, I do have the panel it connects to grounded to earth)

My Xantrex ProWatt Pure Sine Wave Inverter is N/G Bonded from the factory (and I do have it grounded to earth) and the GFCI's test correctly on that. It has GFCI receptacles built in and I suspect that is why the N/G is bonded.

Looks like the AIMS does not have GFCI receptacles and is therefore probably NOT N/G Bonded.

Most Champion Generators have floating Neutrals as well. But, according to their website, some models do come with the N/G bonded.

At any rate, goofy things happen with grounds and bonding with some electronics... Worth it for the OP to check that on both the generator and the Inverter.

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