AIMS Inverter Fail

MischiefBrewing

On the final trip of the season, we pushed our luck and ran a hair dryer on high for a bit (boondocking of course). We got the dreaded beeping then solid tone and then completely lost the AIMS.  I checked the breaker while we were still at the campsite, but that wasn't it.  Did a bit of digging once home after winterizing and still couldn't identify the problem.  I absolutely hate that the unit's fuse is covered in paper since I can't find my tester, and hated even more that those fuses go for $13 or so and while it would be good to have a backup, I couldn't be sure it would solve the problem.  After some back and forth with Andrew from AIMS Power via email, I started following the lines to and from the unit.  I knew there was a secondary breaker, but totally missed the 150A Stinger fuse:

Yep, completely burned.  $8 and a week later, we're back up and fully functional!

Have to remind ourselves to keep the hair dryer on low from now on

pthomas745

So....the AIMS is your inverter, I take it.  How many watts is "high" on your hair dryer?  Where is this secondary breaker?

Thank you for advancing Tab Science!

MischiefBrewing

I've got the AIMS 1200W that has 2400W surge capability.  Not sure what the GF's hair dryer hits on maximum, but most average 1500W on high, which means we were holding in the surge range of the inverter.

The factory hooked the AIMS up with a 150A stinger circuit breaker, and a 150A Stinger fuse, which are both right next to the inverter.  The unit has a built in fuse and I believe my fuse panel for the trailer has a breaker for the inverter but I'm not sure since I didn't look too closely, just eyed for anything that was tripped.

Denny16

Our AIMS inverter will not continue to run in Surge Mode, it shuts down after 30-seconds with a oversized load, in our case the small microwave oven.  

Cheers

rh5555

Looking at the AIMS datasheet:

you can see that the Surge mode is only rated for 0.04 seconds.  At rated output power of 1200W, and with 90% efficiency, you should expect a current draw from your battery of 110 Amps.  So a 150 Amp Stinger fuse seems appropriate.  I'd agree with @MischiefBrewing that your hair dryer was probably drawing 1500W, so be glad that all you destroyed was an $8 fuse!

Kamate

@MischiefBrewing Trying to follow up with you as we had the same issue (except it was a space heater). We had the fuses changed by the dealer (it was blown). Got back home and now the AIMS does not turn on. Any ideas? (Nothing has been plugged in the RV and we are. It in shore power)

Tabnero

you can also run 12 volt appliances off the 7 way plug on your tow vehicle using this. easy way to blow dry hair in the boondocks. 
https://www.amazon.com/POLLAK-11-896-7-Way-Outlet-Adapter/dp/B002UC8U7G/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Tow+Ready+118019+7-Way+Cigarette+Lighter+Plug+Adapter&qid=1615036849&sr=8-5

Kamate

Tabnero said:

you can also run 12 volt appliances off the 7 way plug on your tow vehicle using this. easy way to blow dry hair in the boondocks. 
https://www.amazon.com/POLLAK-11-896-7-Way-Outlet-Adapter/dp/B002UC8U7G/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Tow+Ready+118019+7-Way+Cigarette+Lighter+Plug+Adapter&qid=1615036849&sr=8-5

R@d! Thanks for the tip (didn't know that).  So if I got it straight...If I am plugged into my TV the inverter should/would be on?

MischiefBrewing

Haven’t been on the site while the tab is buried in snow, sorry. 

The only other issue I had was that the outlet itself needed to be reset.  

Denny16

The AMIS Inverter is connected directly to the TaB’s battery via the fuse and circuit breaker shown.  It does not have a 12VDC fuse in the power converter.

The TV will not power the Inverter, but may charge the TaB battery, depending on the TV.
cheers