Date: Sun, 31 May 2020 03:58:21 +0000
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: A very basic Inverter/Charger to consider
In-Reply-To: <MN2PR08MB62394CC6DD322D61CF94B104A0AE0@MN2PR08MB6239.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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Seeing how the Soyond I recommended below is no longer available I went looking for another reasonable cost inverter/charger. My son took the Soyond and installed it in his van.
So I found this one on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/323546743096
I ordered one and received it today. Did some testing:
Yes, it is an inverter/charger combination. The charger tested out between 14-15 amps and tops out between 14.2 to 14.3 volts. I did see it drop into any type float or maintenance mode. Appears to be fixed voltage like the Soyond.
When connected to shore power it feeds through to the receptacles. When power is disconnected the inverter turn on and carries the load quickly, very short glitch.
During inverter mode the output is completely isolated from chassis ground. I can't tell if there is a relay or other switch over device but the ground and neutral is not switched to a ground reference. As such the output should not be connected to an installed system and only isolated, double insulated appliances should be used or a GFCI should be used.
It was able to support the rated 1,200 watt load.
Dennis
From: Dennis Haynes
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: A very basic Inverter/Charger to consider
So for all these years Fun Bus has only had a group 41 house battery under the drivers seat with a simple relay for charging while driving and no means to charge while in storage. Since last April I have been primarily using the 91 van for daily use and the Florida trips. The house battery drained during winter last year and went bad. Did the same this year during the virus thing. So looking for an inexpensive charging solution I also considered a small inverter. I came across this.
https://www.amazon.com/soyond-Inverter-Modified-Converter-Off-Grid/dp/B07W5YTTTF/ref=sr_1_18?crid=OFTR4XABIM5P&dchild=1&keywords=inverter+charger&qid=1587910620&sprefix=inverter%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-18
So I have one here and have set it up in the garage for some testing. So I don't always trust ratings but with 100 A/H battery this thig will support a 1,500 watt heater. For the price, cool. It has a transfer switch for the outlets. Plug it in and the outlets go to the inlet power. Pull the plug and it quickly transfers back and the inverter picks up the load. I need to do more testing but it looks like the transfer switch also connects the outlet neutral to ground in inverter mode. Wow.
For the charger section it does deliver just over 15 A/H and charges to an indicated 14.2 volts. Manual says it should go to a float mode. 2 days and still at 14.2.
This unit does not have UL ETL, CSA listings on it and for RV use it should probably also have a GFCI. I plan to only use for direct plug in of double insulated appliances. It does not seem to be designed for hardwire installation on the 110 volt side. It has an LCD display that offers little information. No load or current information. Just volts in, out, status. There is a port for a remote display but I haven't found one yet. Product is probably very poorly supported.
So my plant is to install this and replace the charge relay with an ACR.
Dennis
