Nikkai 1000w inverter - continuous alarm when turned on

[langtoftnick]

I am a real noob to all this.

My bongo has a nikkai 1000w inverter in the back and when I turn it on there is a continuous alarm sounding. I have no manual for it so don't know what it's complaining about, low voltage from the leisure battery (which reads 12.2v), or some fault condition in the output circuit?

Getting some really good support from you guys, I seem to have bought a bit of a clunker but am determined to work through all the problems and get it going happy.


Edit: just tried it again and got two longish beeps, then the continuous beep... Must be a fault code for something.

[jimmo62]

Is that with a load connected to the output or just when it's not connected?

[langtoftnick]

Connected but nothing drawing current. It isn't a sealed battery but has electrolyte in it, which I haven't tested. By the state of the rest of the van I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's had it. I know they are designed for lower power, longer drain, compared to a starter battery so can a garage test it in the same way as they can a starter battery?

[jimmo62]

If it only gets to 12.2v after charging then it sounds dead to me. You could confirm by connecting a headlight bulb across the battery and seeing how long it lights for - you should get 10 hours + of full brightness.

If the inverter is in the back then you will need some pretty hefty wiring to the leisure battery assuming that's in the normal position in the front. You will be drawing up to 100 amps at full load.....

Anyway sounds like the battery is the first thing to check out

[langtoftnick]

Ok thanks, the wiring is really thick - like starter cable so should cope with the current.

[langtoftnick]

Leisure battery was flat. Hence my new post about split chargers... There was no charging mechanism in place that I can see!