I’ve purchased an “open box” unit. It appears to be in new condition, in the original packaging. Allegedly “tested and operational.” However, there were some bits of broken black plastic rattling around inside. In the accessories bag, I found what appears to be an intact part that matches the broken pieces. However, I see no obvious place in the unit that this could have come from.
Peering down through the top, I can see that the inner end of the large bolt that supports the transformer coil appears to be unsupported. Difficult to photograph through the grating, but the end just floats within an opening in the middle plate. I wonder if this could potentially be where the plastic part belongs? To support the end of this bolt? Or is it supposed to be like that?
Can’t seem to find a parts diagram on line, so I’m a bit mystified. I could also see how two of these parts might lock together - one on either side of the aluminum plate. In which case I’m missing one.
This unit is to be installed on my sailboat, so it will experience some rocking and shaking. If that bolt is supposed to be supported, it really needs to be taken care of - or I need to return this unit and get a replacement ASAP. I’m leaving for Mexico in a couple of weeks.
Yes, they are part of the transformer fixings.
Try to improvise a fixing thing, just be careful to not damage the transformer windings or any part of the transformer, in fact.
Use electrical non conductive materials.
Have fun!
Do not power the transformer up before you’ve isolated the bolt from the case!!!
The plastic part is an isolated mount for the bolt. If you energize the transformer without insulation, it’s basically a shorted single turn winding. There will be a huge current flowing through the case and bolt. It will be with a very low voltage though.
The other end of the bolt does not appear to be isolated from the case. It’s fastened directly to the back panel. Although I cannot see what may be between the transformer and the back of the case. It’s a bit of a puzzle.
Well, I opened up the case and had a look. Can’t see any damage to the windings or the plastic covering. There is what feels like a plastic spacer between the transformer and the back of the case. I couldn’t lift the xfmr from the case - the central bolt has been bent slightly.
I was able to bend it back to nearly straight. I didn’t want to keep flexing it for fear that it would break. Presumably whatever bent the bolt also broke the bushing? I installed the intact half of the bushing and gently tightened it down with the free nut and washer.
Can’t quite imagine what happened here. Was the unit dropped? But why was half of the bushing broken and not the other half? (If indeed these are two halves.) Why was half of the bushing removed to the accessory bag? Also somewhat remarkable that none of the screws on the case were even finger-tight. I guess someone has been in here before.
I think I will move forward to test the unit, once I scrounge up some suitable plugs and wiring. The boat where this goes (and most of my tools) are currently 2000 miles away.
For sure the unit had a some shock on a certain direction.
Nevertheless, the transformer is quite/too heavy to be hold in position by just only one bolt… Or of that (small) size.
Maybe just on a stationary case, but on a vibrating environment, as on a boat…
I tested the unit with a 10 amp load. 120V in 126V out. Didn’t make any noise. No energy to the case. Don’t currently have any way to test other voltages. I guess it’s good to go.
I’m sure it was never installed or tested before. At least not with the included jumpers. They are quite stiff and it would be obvious if they had ever been bent to fit before.
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Bit of a discrepancy between the manual and the unit. Page 7:
“If the boat is floating, connect the PE wire coming from the input PE terminal to male push-on connector J34A…” It shows a wire coming from the ground terminal, but there is none in the device.
“If the boat is on shore… connect the PE wire coming from the input PE terminal to male push-on connector J34…” Again, it shows a wire that isn’t there.
Printing on the circuit board indicates that for operation on shore, J34A should be connected to J34, and there is a green jumper in the box for that purpose. Tracing the solder on the board, J34A connects to the input PE terminal and neither is connected to anything else. The manual is wrong.
Of course, this exercise defeats the whole purpose of the unit, but I suppose galvanic corrosion isn’t a big issue in the boat yard and there are some unlikely scenarios in which it could be protective. Just have to remember to take that jumper out of there before launch.
