Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:46:36 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Pure Sine Wave Inverter
In-Reply-To: <E1LAdBV-0003Lt-3D@garm.runbox.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Obviously I meant to type 2kw. I guess the 000 was habit.
You really size the batteries for the full load rating of the inverter. The
surge rating is really for motor starting or other short term bursts. Some
inverters can only support that surge for a second, minute tops.
Ideally you want to size your batteries for supporting a load over a 6 hour
rate. 4 hours can still be acceptable.
2 group 31 batteries will support a 1,000 watt inverter.
2 golf cart batteries (225 A/H) in series will work much better and last
longer. They are available in AGM also.
You also need to consider charging the batteries. From experience the stock
Subaru alternators do not like large battery banks. As soon as they heat up
they go into current limiting and watch the voltage drop. There are high
performance alternators out there for the Subie. The problem with them is
low output at idle.
The battery you're looking at appears to be an absorbed glass mat, (AGM).
These require some special charging cycles so an addition to alternator
charging, you need a good smart charger to maintain these things. Plan on
short life. This is an over stated technology.
Unless you really like to be bothered with battery use, forget the selector
switch and consider automation. Chassis battery, house batteries, and a
charge control relay.
Are you planning to hard wire the 110v into outlets installed in the van? If
so the inverter needs to be designed and rated for that.
Keep the stock group 41 battery for the chassis. Run a separate charge line
from the alternator.
Consider getting an inverter/charger with pass through/auto changeover of
the 110v side. Now you can really get rid of money.
For charging battery operated devices, almost all rechargeable devices have
12 volt car cords available. This is the best way to go.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
M'obeechi
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 11:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Pure Sine Wave Inverter
Thats a good question. Let me ask my accountant.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P?vName=Automotive&cName
=Batteries+%26+Chargers&sName=Marine+Batteries
I want three of these (dig those handles:)! Though I can combine all three,
most usually only two will act as than house bank, or house battery.
Honestly, not sure how you determine how much is needed to support a surge
to 2000kw, and I've got this book next to me, Electricity and Electronics by
G. Randy Slone. I've glad you asked though, because I was getting carried
away lusting at even bigger units. Now that I'm grounded can you help me
understand how to calculate this?
You know those Exeltech's are said to be in every US Embassy in the world.
So if I get one those, I might have an "in" with an overseas assignment.
Pure sine wave, because my XM 1000 Xantrex states that it doesn't mix well
with rechargeable devices, and I've already had a problem with batteries
dying right after using with the Xantrex. Rather than debating and
empirically determining the cause, I'd rather eliminate the possibility,
which could actually end up saving me money. The inverter (pure sine wave)
will be in the 500 dollar range.
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
To: "'M'obeechi'" <obeechi@RUNBOX.COM>,
<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: RE: Pure Sine Wave Inverter
> Why pure sine wave and do you know how many batteries are needed to
support
> 2kw?
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> M'obeechi
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 7:49 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Pure Sine Wave Inverter
>
> I looked at the archives, but its not working right now.
>
> There aren't any reviews online that I can find regarding pure sine wave
> inverters.
>
> For now it looks like Exeltech, Samlex, and Cotek might be good. But there
> are others too. I'm wanting 1000 watt range with 2000 watt surges.
>
> Anyone have any leads? Thanks.
>
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