Lights get brighter when inverter is plugged in

[moonlitcoyote]

I noticed today when trying to figure out why I am getting the red light on my inverter is that when I plug the inverter in, my lights get brighter. Why would this be?

[ibdilbert01]

The draw from the load on the inverter might be causing your converter to go into full charge mode.   More than likely nothing to worry about. 

[moonlitcoyote]

The lights get brighter as soon as I plug into that 12v socket. I would love it if my lights were that bright all the time. But I am wondering if they get brighter because by plugging into the socket I create a better ground or something? Or do you think that by plugging something in even if that something isnt turned on it is asking for more power so the winny power source automatically puts out more power making the lights brighter?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Or do you think that by plugging something in even if that something isnt turned on it is asking for more power so the winny power source automatically puts out more power making the lights brighter?

Yes MJ, the 12VDC converter that provides the 12VDC power while connected to shore power will automaticly increase it's output based on system voltage.   When a component turns ON it starts drawing current from the converter.  If the current draw causes a system voltage drop the converter responds by outputing more current to to bring the system voltage back up to around 13.6VDC.  However, different converters work dufferent ways.  Do you still have the original 12VDC converter in your rig?

Now you can only push so much current through a wire.  The smaller the wire, the less current you can push through it and the "more" voltage drop that will occur across that wire per foot of distance.  I think in your case, the voltage drop across the smaller gauge wiring you tapped into for your lighter socket is resulting in the "Low Voltage" light on your inverter.  Even so, if your inverter is supposed to automaticl shut down if it senses a low voltage condition it makes it questionable.  Does the inverter operators manual say the light will come on at a certain voltage (warning) and then shut down if a 2nd lower set point is reached?

Dave

[moonlitcoyote]

I dont have the owners manual, I have been using this inverter in my van for quite some time to charge my cell phone. But after plugging in the fan again, it only ran for a minute before the inverter wasnt getting enough power to run it. .. And I thought it was going to be easy to install this 12v socket...haha jokes on me. Installing it WAS easy, but getting it to work is a different story.

[Oz]

Were you using the inverter in a socket in your van that was a factory installed socket?  In the dash?  I don't know the specifics on the supplied power but, if an aftermarket socket is installed into a part of the wiring system which wasn't designed for a higher draw on it than designed, then yes, I can see where there would be complications and a need for upgrading the supply to it.

In addition, the original wiring could have a bad ground or be damaged along the line somewhere.  This is very common in older RVs.

[Oz]

A couple questions:

When adding an additional 12v outlet, is the coach wiring set up for heavier use in some areas as opposed to others?  I.e. the kitchen and bathroom vs the bedroom?

How do you know what gauge wire to use and if a fuse or something is needed depending on what the new outlet is going to be primarily used for or should you just wire it for it's maximum capacity and how would you determine that?

For this specific problem of the lights getting brighter, does this sound like the inverter is causing a power surge in the wiring system somehow?

Most often, isn't it the opposite if there is an overload on an outlet (the lights dim)?

[moonlitcoyote]

Were you using the inverter in a socket in your van that was a factory installed socket?  In the dash? 

Yes, I have always used the inverter in the cigar lighter to my vehicle.

Most often, isn't it the opposite if there is an overload on an outlet (the lights dim)?

Thats what I thought too, thats why hubby and I wondered if it has something to do with the ground. The lights get brighter the moment the inverter plug goes into the 12v socket, even with the inverter shut off and nothing plugged into it.

[ibdilbert01]

If the inverter is off and you plug it in, do they stay bright, or do they dim down after a while?

[moonlitcoyote]

What do you mean by "after a awhile?" I only left it plugged in for maybe 5 minutes as I was a bit worried about all the unexpected things.. ie lights getting brighter, red light on inverter (didnt want to blow my inverter) But they did stay bright the entire 5 minutes that I had it plugged in.

[ibdilbert01]

Some inverters will draw an inital surge of power when you first plug them in even when turned off.  My thought was maybe the surge was triggering the converter to go into charge mode.  But I would think it would settle back down well before 5 mins.   If you plug another device other than the inverter into the outlet will the lights get bright?

[moonlitcoyote]

I dont know, I do not have any other 12v device. Sorry