PLEASE NOTE: If you had an account with the previous forum, it has been ported to the new Genetry website!
You will need to reset the password to access the new forum. Click Log In → Forgot Password → enter your username or forum email address → click Email Reset Link.

Notifications
Clear all

Just got my new PJ LFPSW-8000 Inverter

94 Posts
8 Users
0 Likes
1,377 Views
dochubert
(@dochubert)
Estimable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 187
 

Keep in mind that powerjack inverters in 2014-15 came with 6 caps on the mainboard.  My 24v 8kw from late 2014 would run my whole house and start all loads (didn't have a well pump then) but would not start my central air conditioner (understandably).  Was running on  340ah of agm batteries then.

Then pj started getting cheap(er) and only put 5 caps in each mainboard, then went to 4.  Some came with less.  Today there is no telling what you will get in a powerjack or upower box.  No two are the same.

So restoring the original design of 6 caps should be safe in most every case.  The first purpose of those caps is to stop the 24khz ripple, but stabilizing the dc voltage under varying demand is also an important function of them.


   
ReplyQuote
(@dickson)
Noble Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1058
 

My  LFPSW-8000 only has 2 caps on the main board.

Two capacitors  is not enough for inductive load .     Plug  something in the  120vac outlet of the inverter and  see if the voltage  drop  to  100 vac when you switch on  a  load  like a  1/2 hp  circular saw .   The  output voltage should not drop .


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
Posted by: @dickson
My LFPSW-8000 only has 2 caps on the main board.

I'll try that. 


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  

I just found a number of YouTube videos on building super capacitor banks to assist inverters with inductive loads.


   
ReplyQuote
(@dickson)
Noble Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1058
 

I just found a number of YouTube videos on building super capacitor banks to assist inverters with inductive loads.

I use  500 f  2.7v  supercapacitors  parallel with the car battery  and it works .   I  will get more on ebay and try parallel the supercapacitors with the battery to the PJ inverter  and it should  work  to start inductive load .     


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
Posted by: @dickson
I just found a number of YouTube videos on building super capacitor banks to assist inverters with inductive loads.

Yes, I believe that's my solution, thanks.


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
10 hours ago, dickson said:

I just found a number of YouTube videos on building super capacitor banks to assist inverters with inductive loads.

I use  500 f  2.7v  supercapacitors  parallel with the car battery  and it works .   I  will get more on ebay and try parallel the supercapacitors with the battery to the PJ inverter  and it should  work  to start inductive load .     

I just ordered quantity 2 16V 500F Capacitor banks. Each has 6 caps, and is ~$50 US on Amazon. I think people use them for car audio. My plan is to remove 1 or 2 caps (depending on voltage), then connect them in series for a 24V power bank that connects to the inverter like a supplemental battery.


   
ReplyQuote
dochubert
(@dochubert)
Estimable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 187
 
6 hours ago, RobertM said:

My plan is to remove 1 or 2 caps (depending on voltage),

First let me say I have no experience with these.  If these work like normal caps, you will not want to exceed the caps voltage rating with your battery that is connected in parallel.  A Lifepo4 24v bank can get to 28-29v depending on your system settings. 

Could be wrong but I'm assuming the cap setup is 16v to make sure it is rated higher than the battery you are connecting to.  So two cap banks in series for 32v keeps it safely higher (rated) than your 28-29v batteries.  The idea being, It will charge up to whatever your batteries are at and help hold that voltage.

If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will straighten me out.


   
ReplyQuote
dochubert
(@dochubert)
Estimable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 187
 

Might also want to use a resistor or light bulb in series for initial connection to charge them up without the large arc and spark.  (I use a 100 watt incandescent bulb when connecting up a powerjack.)


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
Posted by: @dochubert
Might also want to use a resistor or light bulb in series for initial connection to charge them up without the large arc and spark. (I use a 100 watt incandescent bulb when connecting up a powerjack.)

Yeah, the vendor instructs you to charge and discharge the capacitor bank a few times before you use it. I plan to have two easily to separate 12V banks, and I have a couple of 12V led lights that I could use to discharge. From what I understand, I'll store something like 80 amps at 24 V that would discharge in 15 seconds.


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
53 minutes ago, dochubert said:

First let me say I have no experience with these.  If these work like normal caps, you will not want to exceed the caps voltage rating with your battery that is connected in parallel.  A Lifepo4 24v bank can get to 28-29v depending on your system settings. 

Could be wrong but I'm assuming the cap setup is 16v to make sure it is rated higher than the battery you are connecting to.  So two cap banks in series for 32v keeps it safely higher (rated) than your 28-29v batteries.  The idea being, It will charge up to whatever your batteries are at and help hold that voltage.

If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will straighten me out.

That would be great if I could leave all the caps on the boards,  if the 32V dc input, reduced by the ~27 dc input of the parallel LiFePO4 battery bank is OK for the inverter.


   
ReplyQuote
dochubert
(@dochubert)
Estimable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 187
 
8 minutes ago, RobertM said:

That would be great if I could leave all the caps on the boards,  if the 32V dc input, reduced by the ~27 dc input of the parallel LiFePO4 battery bank is OK for the inverter.

I try to keep my lifepo4 24v bank between 26 and 28v.  My 24v powerjack runs great in that range.  In fact you really don't want to drop to below 24v because the sine wave starts to flatten out below 24v (using a powerjack - other inverters may vary)  Only important if your loads are picky about the sinewave quality.  If you are just running a pump or a waterheater it probably doesn't matter.  Flatscreen tvs, microwaves or other electronics might not like a poor sinewave.  Keeping your batteries between 25 and 28v should give you a good sinewave and your inverter should stay happy.


   
ReplyQuote
(@robertm)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 205
Topic starter  
Posted by: @dochubert
I try to keep my lifepo4 24v bank between 26 and 28v. My 24v powerjack runs great in that range. In fact you really don't want to drop to below 24v because the sine wave starts to flatten out below 24v (using a powerjack - other inverters may vary) Only important if your loads are picky about the sinewave quality. If you are just running a pump or a waterheater it probably doesn't matter. Flatscreen tvs, microwaves or other electronics might not like a poor sinewave. Keeping your batteries between 25 and 28v should give you a good sinewave and your inverter should stay happy.

I think my inverter has a high input limit of 30V, so combined with 2 banks of conventional batteries, a 32V capacitor bank should be balanced out. That makes the 16V cap banks that I ordered good as they are. I hope that theystart the well pump motor. That's the whole point of my project.


   
ReplyQuote
pilgrimvalley
(@pilgrimvalley)
Prominent Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 826
 

i bought one and received it yesterday. it had a warning label about a choke on the ac side for heavy loads. 

20220222_040534_HDR.thumb.jpg.88aea2f041fefd9e0f9dfd94108099d7.jpg

20220222_040558_HDR.jpg

20220222_040616_HDR.jpg

20220222_040627_HDR.jpg

20220222_040651_HDR.jpg


   
ReplyQuote
pilgrimvalley
(@pilgrimvalley)
Prominent Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 826
 

I ordered on the PowerJack 8000 Watt PSW LF SP AMG version on January 5th, 2022 via auction (only $272.21 including tax and delivery)and received it via UPS February 19th, 2022 so 46 days to be delivered via the slow boat ride. I will hook up later, but just unboxed it in the middle of the night ,,,snowstorm outside here...

seems the sticker if you dont use the choke they will not warranty it. like the warranty is worth a hill of beans...would you pay to ship it anywhere to be repaired? If it needs repair you will have to do it yourself or buy a replacement....that is the reality of china delivered products. i don't think they pay for any shipping past maybe the 1st 30 days or so....

18.70kg = 41.14 pounds approximately.

shipping prices are killer in USA, let alone when they suggest you ship it back to them....they know this....

hope you can get a good result in your test with the supercapacitor idea to run the well pump, but have you put a choke on the ac output???


   
ReplyQuote
Page 5 / 7