Statpower Explosion

[blank]

>
> Eric, are you sure that is a 20 amp fuse on the AC side? That
> means the Statpower would have to draw 2400 watts to blow the
> fuse. I wouldn't want to be around.

Doesn't sound quite right, but I've got some Trace literature here that
shows their Legend Mod. L1412 inverter charger(50amp charger) has an AC draw
of 12amps(Also shows Mod. L612 with 25amp charger at 5amp AC and Mod. 1112
with 50amp charger at 9amp AC - the first two digits are AC output in KW and
the second two are input voltage). Must be making a lot of heat there
somewhere.

Patrick

 

[john wright]

Patrick & Egar
You can debate on supposed fuse size. The fuse that moved was a 20 amp
fast blow.
Came with the statpower.
J.R. Wright

>

> >
> > Eric, are you sure that is a 20 amp fuse on the AC side? That
> > means the Statpower would have to draw 2400 watts to blow the
> > fuse. I wouldn't want to be around.
>
> Doesn't sound quite right, but I've got some Trace literature here that
> shows their Legend Mod. L1412 inverter charger(50amp charger) has an AC draw
> of 12amps(Also shows Mod. L612 with 25amp charger at 5amp AC and Mod. 1112
> with 50amp charger at 9amp AC - the first two digits are AC output in KW and
> the second two are input voltage). Must be making a lot of heat there
> somewhere.
>
> Patrick

 

[edgar t. kremer]

Debate closed.

An observation: the 20 amp fuse, as mentioned previously by another member, is
there to protect against a massive short. Many of the parts in today's electronic
gear are designed to carry micro amps, others carry milliamps, a few carry amps.
When one of these low power rated parts fails, it will usually "open" (which is
great - generally causes little trouble), partially short (sometimes smoldering &
"taking out" other parts w/it), or completely short (w/similar effects as the
partial short). Rarely, if ever, will any of the defects cause a fire. Generally,
they just destroy themselves, and at times, other parts, including the printed
circuit wiring which cannot pass excessive current. The large fuse, in the
Statpower case 20 amps, will just sit there & "smile."

I have serviced more than 20,000 pieces of mobile electronics equipment from
microphones to ship radar, and have found that the large fuse generally used makes
for great decoration. It will usually not blow. It might make you feel better, but
I can almost guarantee you it will not protect the equipment.

As for moving the fuse in the Statpower to the outside, if it blows, you'll still
have to open the unit to make repairs. One might argue that if the output is
shorted, this could blow the fuse. I don't have the specs w/me, but if it were
designed correctly, the output would be current limited, negating a blown fuse.

I have used a 12v power supply to service equipment. I set the amount of current
the unit should furnish to the defective gear, and it shuts down if that spec is
exceeded. It not only protects the power supply, it doesn't do more damage to the
defective gear. Hopefully, the Statpower works similarly.

> Patrick & Egar
> You can debate on supposed fuse size. The fuse that moved was a 20 amp
> fast blow.
> Came with the statpower.
> J.R. Wright

 

[edgar t. kremer]

Arch, someone else arlready answered that question for you. I don't recall if I
operated under similar circumstances.

> In a message dated 8/23/99 7:58:23 PM Central Daylight Time,

>
> >
> > I used my Statpower 40 on a 5 week jaunt w/every possible combination of
> > batteries, &/or input power, & accessory load. Never had a problem. In
> fact,
> > I am
> > very satisfied w/its operation.
> >
> Edgar
>
> Could I please ask if you ever had the Statpower hooked up with the key
> on but the engine not running? I only ask this because this is the only thing
> that was different this time. I had never had the key on with the Statpower
> hooked up. I have no idea if this has anything to do with this problem or not.
> Would like to reduce the number of variables.
>
> Being a designer I know all about flukes BTDT to many times. Thanks.
>
> Take Care
> Arch

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