Member - Troll 81 (QLD) replied:

I only have a little 300w inverter and run it while we are moving along.
We plug the camera batteries in to charge or charge the air pump for the bed back up. Have done my handheld UHF's and also the laptop runs off the inverter while we are driving.

Robin Miller replied:

Absolutely , It can be used whilst charging with alternator running Ranger 1

No extra problems on second issue either, however you do have the normal issue of drawing a lot of current and having to low a voltage at the inverter.
And that inverter can draw 100 plus amps, requiring at least 16mm sq cables if cables are to be more than a meter or 2 long.

Hence it is advisable to run seperate cables back to the battery for each of those uses , as the battery becomes the reference voltage and not the inverter terminals for the caravan charging.
This approach will also lessen "noise" on the charging cables.

ExplorOz - David & Michelle replied:

Yes it can we use our inverter all day when the car is running and when it is on Solar panels. There is no reason not to use it.

As for running a line from the inverter to another plug to charge other batteries - you could but it is not the optimum setup, it really depends on how good a cable you have running to the inverter and how this is terminated (ie: are the connections suitably large enough to make a new/added connection without sacrificing connection quality). You mention that the cable is thick but I am more concerned about the switch you have inline (what sort of switch is this - as this could become a problem).

Good luck and invert away when charging!
David

MrBitchi (QLD) replied:

Only question I'd add is what are you using it for? It's a pretty big inverter and will draw a lot of current just to keep it running. If you only have a small load on it you could be better off fitting a smaller inverter which will waste less battery power.

Tenpounder (SA) replied:

Hi everyone. I just wonder if the original argument that started this thread was about running an inverter direct from an alternator rather than via a battery? It seems possible that someone had suggested direct connection, to which the reply was never connect an inverter during charging? Just a thought (Obviously you should never connect an inverter direct to an alternator).

DIO replied:

It is difficult to ascertain from the wording of your question, however I am inclined to think you might be suggesting that you run the inverter whilst driving . If so, consider this - your vehicle, in which you have the inverter active (poroducing 240 volts) is involved in an accident, it catches fire, occupants are trapped, emergency service workers are quickly on the scene and realise you have a vehicle containing active 240 volts. They consider the risk to their lives as too great to intervene. Everbody is horrified at what happend and soon start to raise the issue of the driver and the stupidity of having an inverter operating producing 240 volts. Not necessary. Use 12 volt DC. A lot safer and not likely to create an issue regarding risks to safety of emergency workers. Think about it !!!!

Member - Pesty (SA) replied:

I nearly always run the 25 amp ctek charger from the genny, with the 1000w inverter going, to save heavy discharge of the batteries, and on our last trip we were cooking bread in the car as we were going along, as my wife requires special bread, so I cooked mine as well.
The only down fall of this is sitting in the same car as fresh baking bread for 40 minutes while it goes through the bake cycle!!!
Got some looks taking out a fresh hot loaf right outside the pub at William Creek at 9 am !!! LOL
When not baking bread we have the 300w inverter going to charge batteries etc and run the laptop, while we are moving.

Cheers Pesty

Maîneÿ . . . replied:

ranger1,
You say: "After using it this way found that the inverter runs out of power too quickly"
That indicates the 'battery' runs out of power too quickly, this will be in it's attempt to power the Inverter and it's load ?
I would remove the "simple on/off switch" and have the Inverter wired direct to the battery (fused)

You ask: "Can an inveter be used whilst the batteries are being charged/vehicle is running"
Yes, as it's just another 'device' connected to a battery when wired up correctly

You ask: "Is there any dramas breaking into the battery cables at the inverter to run off a line for an anderson plug for charging an aux battery on a caravan"
I would not do this, I would run an independent fused charging cable to the caravan

Maîneÿ . . .