Help wanted with digitor AC power inverter. M-5211w

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Hi all,


I have just bought a Digitor power inverter for mobile use. The model I have is the m5211, which according to the manual says this "This M52 series inverter is identical to the M51series model described in this manual except that it does not have the ouput neutral and earth contacts linked together."

Does this mean I need to run a seperate Earth lead in the car? The unit has a butterfly nut for the connection of an earth. Or can I just loop the negative terminaland earth since they goto the same place? Body of car is earthed negative.

Help appreciated...

[acropolite (Phil)]

Earthing is can be a tricky thing with inverters. Some do not take kindly to being earthed, especially cheaper ones. The comment about not having the output neutral and earth connected means just that. In a normal mains situation neutral and earth are connected together, so when any active connection touches earth the fuse blows or the circuit breaker is tripped. As long as there is no potential from the inverter case to your car body it should be reasonably safe, but you should always remember that the voltage output from these inverters is every bit as lethal as your 240V mains at home, so make sure the inverter is kept dry. For effective earthing you would have to connect your car body to an earth stake, not that easy to achieve in some situations.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

especially since I will be moving in the car when it is operational

[RAJAH235]

FWIW, For car use, an inverter is considered to be 'Above Earth' & as such, there is no 'return path' for the current to follow. They can be earthed, 'along with ALL your appliances', but I would not advise this, as this introduces the return path. Just don't get across the 240 volt, Active & Neutral. As Phil has stated, consider it LETHAL. L.