Empathy List Archives

LC

Larry Cruzen

Sun, Oct 18, 2009 8:27 PM

I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat.

Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me.

I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from. Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6 size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it.

Can anyone tell me what this is doing there?

Larry Cruzen
"Lady Dottie"
42' Heritage East Sundeck
Spring City, TN

I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat. Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me. I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from. Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6 size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it. Can anyone tell me what this is doing there? Larry Cruzen "Lady Dottie" 42' Heritage East Sundeck Spring City, TN

PB

Peter Bennett

Sun, Oct 18, 2009 8:55 PM

How many leads does the toroid have? If two leads, it could be a
current transformer - do you have an ammeter that shows the current in
the red wire? If it has more than two leads, but only two are
connected, it is still likely a current transformer.

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:27:13 PM, Larry wrote:

LC> I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote
LC> control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat.

LC> Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively
LC> modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me.

LC> I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is
LC> not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from.
LC> Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6
LC> size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it.

LC> Can anyone tell me what this is doing there?

LC> Larry Cruzen
LC> "Lady Dottie"
LC> 42' Heritage East Sundeck
LC> Spring City, TN

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

How many leads does the toroid have? If two leads, it could be a current transformer - do you have an ammeter that shows the current in the red wire? If it has more than two leads, but only two are connected, it is still likely a current transformer. Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:27:13 PM, Larry wrote: LC> I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote LC> control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat. LC> Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively LC> modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me. LC> I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is LC> not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from. LC> Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6 LC> size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it. LC> Can anyone tell me what this is doing there? LC> Larry Cruzen LC> "Lady Dottie" LC> 42' Heritage East Sundeck LC> Spring City, TN -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver, B.C., Canada Ennos 31 "Honeycomb" GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

SS

Steve Sipe

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 12:55 AM

Larry Cruzen wrote:

I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat.

Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me.

I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from. Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6 size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it.

Can anyone tell me what this is doing there?

The coil is measuring the amperage on the wire that runs through it...
the red wire creates a magnetic field, when the field passes through the
small wires that make up the coil, it creates a small voltage that
operates your ammeter. The small wires leading from the coil probably
end up at the meter. The coil may have a ratio printed on it as well. A
clamp-on ammeter does the same function but it doesn't have wired coil,
it uses bars like an iron core transformer. Same principle, measures the
field strength around the wire. The more juice flowing through the wire,
the higher the field strength.

That's my understanding of how they work, it's a basic understanding,
there are others on the list who can explain it more eloquently, I'm
sure. YMMV, standard disclaimers if I'm wrong <G>

steve sipe
solo 4303 "Maerin"
Middle River, MD

Larry Cruzen wrote: > I am in the process of wiring a Magnum MS2812 inverter, remote control, battery monitor and combiner into my boat. > > Over the years, the wiring on this boat has been extensively modified from what is shown on the original schematic, which doesn't surprise me. > > I have found a large (about 4" OD) toroidal transformer that is not shown on the schematic. Can't tell where the wires come from. Actually, it looks like a choke and has a large red wire (about #6 size) running thru the center of it, but it says "Power Transformer" on it. > > Can anyone tell me what this is doing there? > > The coil is measuring the amperage on the wire that runs through it... the red wire creates a magnetic field, when the field passes through the small wires that make up the coil, it creates a small voltage that operates your ammeter. The small wires leading from the coil probably end up at the meter. The coil may have a ratio printed on it as well. A clamp-on ammeter does the same function but it doesn't have wired coil, it uses bars like an iron core transformer. Same principle, measures the field strength around the wire. The more juice flowing through the wire, the higher the field strength. That's my understanding of how they work, it's a basic understanding, there are others on the list who can explain it more eloquently, I'm sure. YMMV, standard disclaimers if I'm wrong <G> steve sipe solo 4303 "Maerin" Middle River, MD

SH

Scott H.E. Welch

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 4:06 AM

Peter Bennett peterbb4@interchange.ubc.ca writes:

If two leads, it could be a
current transformer - do you have an ammeter that shows the current in
the red wire?

It could be a CT, although it seems a bit large. One word of caution: Current
transformers can generate LETHAL voltages on their output if there is no load
(meter) attached. Ensure that the wire through the middle (the red #6 wire)
is NOT energized before you poke around.

Scott Welch
Chief Evangelist, Open Text Social Media Group
www.opentext.com
905 762 6101

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn
out." - John Wooden

Peter Bennett <peterbb4@interchange.ubc.ca> writes: >If two leads, it could be a >current transformer - do you have an ammeter that shows the current in >the red wire? It could be a CT, although it seems a bit large. One word of caution: Current transformers can generate LETHAL voltages on their output if there is no load (meter) attached. Ensure that the wire through the middle (the red #6 wire) is NOT energized before you poke around. Scott Welch Chief Evangelist, Open Text Social Media Group www.opentext.com 905 762 6101 "Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out." - John Wooden

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Toroidal transformer question