With most inverters, the power switch does not in any way disconnect the
power from the input circuitry. All the switch does is tell the unit not to
produce any power. The first input stage will usually be some type of
filtering which in DC circuits usually means capacitors. Good inverters will
have circuitry so that when the input is disconnected the capacitors will
automatically bleed down. Cheapie inverters are often not designed to be
permanently installed.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil n
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 8:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanagon Electrical Work and DC - AC Inverter

Hey folks.

Since some people's Vanagons may have large inverters, just beware that your
inverter may hold a charge even if it hasn't been powered up in a while.

Though I knew an inverter could hold a charge after being used, it seems
that an inverter may constantly draw enough power, even when OFF, to allow
it to store a charge.

My 400 Watt inverter is wired into the aux. battery circuit. With the Aux.
battery negative clamp disconnected, while disconnecting the positive clamp
and accidentally allowing my wrench to contact the vehicle frame, I saw a
sizeable spark. (my inverter was likely last used over a year ago) Even
after that, when turning my inverter on to discharge it, it "beeped" and the
LED light up. Using my multi meter, I could watch as the inverter voltage
slowly dropped while holding down the "On" button.

It's likely that all this is NOTHING to worry about, but at the very least,
seeing a spark *after battery ground disconnected*, is slightly unnerving.

Neil.

--
Neil n

Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca

'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:

http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej