Power - 12volt to 240 volt via Inverter
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:54
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Boeing
Hello All, As per post 12187..... I am trying to work out if it is better (more efficent) to run an inverter in the back of the vehicle which charges a battery in the camper via a battery charger which obviously while driving does not present a problem but and sounds like a pretty good idea.
However whilst camped, and running a 75 watt solar panel to charge the second battery is it better to just run the accessories (fridge, lights etc) straight from the vehicle or keep the inverter running and run the accessories off the battery in the camper. My simple mind says it is line ball as whilst parked/camped run straight from vehicle as the solar panel will be putting in an average 20 amps per day and the accessories around 30amps. The same thing will apply if the camper battery is used as although the charger is putting in 8amps it is only doing this whilst the battery requires it. Where I am not sure is the conversion from the 12 volt to the 240 volt via the inverter is this using more amps per hour than the charger which is being run fromn the inverter is putting to the camper battery.
Does this make sense?
Technical
feedback much appreciated...
Regards
Mark
Reply By: Rosscoe - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 12:01
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 12:01
My simple approach is that the more devices in the line the more losses. The inverter has losses so to does battery charger.
Also I assume you will have the charger in the vehicle as
well as the inverter. I wouldn't be keen on 240V AC between moving car and trailer.
If you have a reasonable solar controller it is the best way to fully charge your battery. If sized correctly you can put more in in a day than you take out.
For charging while driving I am looking at the ARRID twin Charge unit supplied by the 12 Volt
shop in
Sydney. Cost about $300.00 though.
This device can take as low as about 8Volts and is smart enough to do multi stage charging. Also uses pulse technology to help prevent sulphation.
Have yet to make up my mind on which way to go. Just Solar. Just the Arrid unit or both. $$$$$$$$
AnswerID:
55483
Follow Up By: Member - Eskimo - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 14:15
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 14:15
yep you dead right Rosscoe
more electrical stuff leads to more losses not to mention losses from all the extra electrical connections as
well.
Ant thing that consumes power to operate is an additional load
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Reply By: Member - Nigel (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 22:27
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 22:27
Each device (inverter, charger, etc) will have an efficiency rating (usually somewhere between 80% - 95%).
What that means is that only 80% - 95% of the input wattage makes it to the output, the rest is consumed by the device or wasted as heat.
Cable also losses power as heat, especially when the cable size is too small for the length of the run and the current it needs to carry.
AnswerID:
55601