Inverter generator

[Jsanford]

Generac inverter generator, inverter board has failed, apparenlty a common issue with these and board costs more then a new unit. Wondering if anyone has ever tried sacrificing a cheap automotive power inverter

 

[dave9]

No I haven't, and I would be looking at trying to find the component(s) on the inverter board that failed and replace those with same if not more robust part(s) so it is less likely to fail again, or is it encased in potting compound so you can't get to it?

I don't know a lot about Generac generators, and you didn't mention the model #, but I doubt the generator in those produces anywhere near as low as 12V on the primary output so "IF" that is the case, it would not be so simple as hooking an automotive power inverter up in its place.

Have you looked for working pulls, used boards pulled from working equipment? I'd check ebay and Amazon in the US, if you can get a part # for the board.

 

[debe]

The boards in Inverter generators are unrepairable. They generate 3phase power for the inverter & 12V ac to power the electronics in it.. Its easier to try & find a second hand board & fit. Probably cheaper to buy a new generator. I have several inverter generator of various sizes with failed Inverter modules.

 

[kellys_eye]

They generate 3phase power for the inverter

So what? This is (presumably) the output of a car alternator-type thing? Simple three-phase rectification and you have DC to feed to an inverter.

Whether or not that DC is of the appropriate level is questionable (but resolvable too) so in principle you can do what the OP requests.

More detail on the original working of the inverter generator is needed though.

 

[Jsanford]

Its an ix1600 series, yes everything is incased in potting compound, there is a small transformer on the board that was very rusty and had deffinalty overheated i tried removing the compound from around it but broke it loose from the board before being able to test it. Im not sure of its rating and was unable yo.test it before it broke loose. Yes it does look like it generates 3 phase power, not sure the output voltage. As far as a used board looks like these things were all junk so a used board doesn't seem likely.

 

[debe]

This is the circuit from Google pictures of a Generac IX1600. Its very typical of most Inverter generators.

 

[Engineer_Paul]

Looks to be little different than a frequency inverter, where it takes 3phase power in and then converts it to another voltage and frequency. My guess without even looking at it, is that all or most of the output transistors are dead, when you can find them. There are three reasons for potting, one is to keep moisture out, and another is hide the circuit and lastly is to make it difficult to repair or copy. Depending on the material you might be able to soak it off, but if the material is the same epoxy that transistor and IC cases are made from or the board is made from it will not help you. Sometimes there is another way and that is to find a similar piece of equipment and buy it and swap parts to make one good working unit. Also seeing that there is the two grey wires that would be the field to the generator, and my guess is the stepper motor is what controls the throttle.

There are ways to get power out of it, but if you are willing it can be a learning experience. Common solvents are diesel fuel, Gasoline, Acetone, xylene, denatured alcohol, and so forth. Out of them Diesel is the safest, and soaking it might make the potting soft enough to break apart.