Bay Marine Supply—San Diego

[SoakedUp]

I had a 2 year old Victron Phoenix 12/1200 inverter that I purchased on Amazon through Bay Marine Supply. I noticed I wasn’t getting any power out of the inverter but it was turning on and everything seemed fine. I was using this inverter in a stationary bench top location. I tried to remove the extension cord that was plugged into the Victron inverter and it was stuck. I could hear the plug shorting out inside the unit. Small little crackling noises. It appeared the plug had melted to the outlet. After some effort I was able to free the plug and immediately reached out to Bay Marine Supply.

After some questions they promptly issued a RMA but made clear that Victron doesn’t typically cover melted plugs and in 10 years of selling this unit they have never seen this be an issue with Victron stuff. They said they would look for any evidence that there was something faulty inside the unit that caused this and push it through the Victron. It appears the internal receptacle heated up enough to melt. This inverter was used in an air controlled room kept at 70F with an oscillating fan blowing over it.

Within days of dropping the unit off at their storefront in San Diego I got notice of a replacement unit being shipped out. The next day a brand new inverter arrived at my door step. Now THAT is customer service. I just wanted to shout out Bay Marine Supply for their quick and professional support. It seems like this kind of response is rare these days especially with solar electronics. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase from them again.

Anyways here’s some pictures of the damage. I’m just glad I caught it before anything burned down!

 

[chrisski]

I appreciate the pics.

I wish I knew more about the way the wires connected to the inside of the plug and if it was installed correctly.

 

[grebaba]

Used to buy from them for many year's when I lived in San Diego all ways a stand up company.
Greg

 

[HarryN]

Great supplier - I use them and buy on line from their web site.

Phoenix inverters - not impressed.

Same DC wire terminal issues as their chargers.

I won't buy an inverter that doesn't use ring lugs on the DC side.

Keep in mind, that thing is for powering a drill - not any kind of real power tools or a microwave oven. It is only ~ 800 watts.

Blowing a fan over it does not increase the outlet rating or internal wiring capabilities substantially.

 

[SoakedUp]

Great supplier - I use them and buy on line from their web site.

Phoenix inverters - not impressed.

Same DC wire terminal issues as their chargers.

I won't buy an inverter that doesn't use ring lugs on the DC side.

Keep in mind, that thing is for powering a drill - not any kind of real power tools or a microwave oven. It is only ~ 800 watts.

Blowing a fan over it does not increase the outlet rating or internal wiring capabilities substantially.

Victron rates the 1200 at 1000w continuous at 77F.

A fan will help dissipate any heat but more so it directs the cooler air coming from the AC onto all of my electronics. It’s not just moving air around but actively helping cool my equipment. I was just acknowledging the fact that the inverter wasn’t in a tight location with no air flow that could have caused overheating.

 

[HarryN]

Victron rates the 1200 at 1000w continuous at 77F.

A fan will help dissipate any heat but more so it directs the cooler air coming from the AC onto all of my electronics. It’s not just moving air around but actively helping cool my equipment. I was just acknowledging the fact that the inverter wasn’t in a tight location with no air flow that could have caused overheating.

That rating depends on if the load is inductive, resistive or switching power supplies.

I do get what you are saying though.

One way to reduce heat at the connector is to use a larger wire on your 120 vac load side. For instance 12 or 10 awg vs thinner wires. The connector dissipates heat by conducting it through the copper wire out into insulation and the heat comes out to the air there.

 

[featherlite]

I won't buy an inverter that doesn't use ring lugs on the DC side.

Thanks for mentioning that. I never thought about the potential repercussions due to the fact that the Phoenix Inverter uses a "clamp" type terminal rather than a ring lug on the DC input side.

 

[outboard1196]

Good to know , I have bought victron stuff from them .
I was looking at getting the 1200w inverter but when you look at the specs it's a 800-1000w really . bummer

 

[grebaba]

Check the specs an all of them as they advertise volts and do not use VA which is the true rating. its like with a home generator when they rate ir at 5000 watts but the running watts are 4200 or so.
Greg

 

[SoakedUp]

Good to know , I have bought victron stuff from them .
I was looking at getting the 1200w inverter but when you look at the specs it's a 800-1000w really . bummer

When you think about it. You really should be considering a higher voltage like 24v or 48v if running continuous loads over 1000w. The 12/1200 was a workhorse for me for years running my entire cabin before I got a multiplus. Had no issues with hot terminals or overloading at 1,000w for hours at a time.