Electrical Fault- Loud Crackling Noise

[Broadway]

I’m currently in France travelling back to the UK from a trip to Spain.

Recently I’ve been experiencing an intermittent loud crackling noise when on hook up or using the inverter.

I’ve traced it to the C-Lin component in the photo.

Can anybody tell me what this is/does and if I should be concerned?

Thanks.

 

[Lenny HB]

Having trouble tracing that but I think it is a high power relay.
Noise could be the contacts arcing.
Might be best to disconnect it and see what function you lose.

 

[ivorantony]

And being covered in insulation tape wouldn’t give any confidence in the unit in the first place,

 

[Broadway]

Having trouble tracing that but I think it is a high power relay.
Noise could be the contacts arcing.
Might be best to disconnect it and see what function you lose.

Thanks Lenny, appreciated.

 

[berni109]

Looks very like one of these.
As Lenny HB said probably arcing.
Best not to use until you can be sure it's that.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

View attachment 1041205
Looks very like one of these.
As Lenny HB said probably arcing.
Best not to use until you can be sure it's that.

Your Googling better than mine.
Out at the mo so on my phone.

 

[Broadway]

I’ve emailed Offgrid Power Solutions to ascertain if it’s something Nigel fitted when installing the inverter or whether it’s an original Carthago build component. The van’s a C Tourer a year old now.

 

[Raul]

It can also be a relay engaging and disengaging very fast, making a crackling noise. The disengaging could be due to a fault, or faulty relay.

 

[dunnah01]

I’ve emailed Offgrid Power Solutions to ascertain if it’s something Nigel fitted when installing the inverter or whether it’s an original Carthago build component. The van’s a C Tourer a year old now.

That's a pro fit

 

[Cush]

Does your inverter feed your 240v sockets in the mo, or just the sockets on the inverter? Does it automatically disengage the inverter if you have ehu?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[RandallC]

Hi, if some form of DC or AC arcing then there would be a fair amount of visual indiction and signs of burning. So as picture shows neither suggest further investigation and Qs to installer

 

[Raul]

Hi, if some form of DC or AC arcing then there would be a fair amount of visual indiction and signs of burning. So as picture shows neither suggest further investigation and Qs to installer

And I may add to this: and it WILL smell;

Two immediate of the four senses are used to identify arcing: smell and visual sense.
Third will be touch, to sense heat.
I kid you not these are used in professional electric engineering curriculum.

 

[Jev88]

The wonders of AI......... Sometimes helpful.



Normal operation:
Relays can produce a small arc when they switch, especially when handling high currents or inductive loads. This is a normal part of their operation, but it should not be excessive or continuous.
Contact wear or damage:
Over time, the contacts inside the relay can become worn, pitted, or contaminated. This increases the gap between them, making it easier for arcing to occur. This can be exacerbated by frequent switching or overloading the relay.
Loose connections:
If the connections to the relay are loose or corroded, it can cause increased resistance and heat, leading to arcing.
Overload:
Exceeding the relay's rated current or voltage can cause excessive arcing and damage the contacts. The JQX-12F 2Z is rated for 30A at 250V AC or 28V DC.
Moisture or contamination:
Moisture, dust, or other contaminants inside the relay can also facilitate arcing.
If the relay is crackling, especially if the sound is loud or continuous, it is best to stop using it

 

[pappajohn]

https://www.clin-ele.com/

 

[pappajohn]

Only way to trace what it controls is to follow the wires.......a hell of a job.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Broadway]

Does your inverter feed your 240v sockets in the mo, or just the sockets on the inverter? Does it automatically disengage the inverter if you have ehu?

Yes the inerter feeds the 240v sockets. It is supposed to disengage as you say. Its been working fine for months so not sure what is causing it.

 

[Broadway]

Only way to trace what it controls is to follow the wires.......a hell of a job.

Indeed, not sure I’m up for that!!

 

[stevewagner]

That’s not a Carthago item

 

[Broadway]

https://www.clin-ele.com/

Thanks papajohn, that’s the supplier. It looks like a relay as Lenny HB replied.

 

[Broadway]

That’s not a Carthago item

Thanks, yes I think it’s related to the subsequent inverter installation.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Broadway]

And I may add to this: and it WILL smell;

Two immediate of the four senses are used to identify arcing: smell and visual sense.
Third will be touch, to sense heat.
I kid you not these are used in professional electric engineering curriculum.

There is definitely no smell an no heat. It’s very random and intermittent.

 

[bigtwin]

Two immediate of the four senses are used to identify arcing: smell and visual sense.
Third will be touch, to sense heat.
I kid you not these are used in professional electric engineering curriculum.

Yes, never ignore any symptom, they all give a clue.

Ian

 

[Cush]

Yes the inerter feeds the 240v sockets. It is supposed to disengage as you say. It’s been working fine for months so not sure what is causing it.

Were you on ehu at the time? Edit, I see you were. All good at the 240 v sockets? I’d just replace it.

 

[Broadway]

Thanks all for replies. It’s now confirmed this is the automatic change over relay for the inverter. Will now be replaced.

 

[slowdriver]

who installed it?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chrish]

It could be a fault with the EHU source or EHU lead causing the relay to switch between inverter or EHU. Could be worth checking the wiring in the EHU lead plug and socket in case there are any loose connections.

 

[Broadway]

Offgrid Power Solutions. They responded immediately and are going to sort it. They're a very capable professional outfit.

 

[Adeydub]

Thanks all for replies. It’s now confirmed this is the automatic change over relay for the inverter. Will now be replaced.

If it is changeover, just check the rating (voltage and current) not sure if the scale in your photo but that looks quite small

 

[Apacheman]

Some very electrical knowledgeable people on this site. Today is a beautiful sunny day. With a 100w solar panel my board is reading 0.5A. Does this seem right?:

 

[Miggs]

Some very electrical knowledgeable people on this site. Today is a beautiful sunny day. With a 100w solar panel my board is reading 0.5A. Does this seem right?:

Depends on battery state as to whether it needs any charge or not, if it's full then it won't be drawing much.

PS. Some people liken the usefulness of Sargent panel indicators to an ashtray on a motorbike!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}