Inverter question
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:09
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Member - William B (The Shire)
Hello,
Further to my previous questions around batteries and solar panels.
I have now 2 x 100 ah deep cycle gel batteries.
150w fixed panel, 180w portable panels through the 30 amp controller.
I am in the process of buying a 2000w pure sign wave inverter, (that size to run the English Rose,s hair drier, [don,t go there]).
So the question, finally, is, does a large output inverter running low powered equipment use more power to run then a smaller inverter running the same low power load.
I hope that makes sense.
William
Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:27
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:27
Yes it will
AnswerID:
613874
Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:41
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:41
.....
Yes.
AnswerID:
613875
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 19:21
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 19:21
.
Well, the quiz answer is "Yes" William, but it's no big deal. It won't make a huge difference.
FollowupID:
884448
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 14:55
Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 14:55
.
Mind you, there is a further consideration to using a 2000W inverter.
If the inverter is operated near to its maximum capacity it will be drawing more than 150 Amps from your "deep cycle gel batteries". That is one hell-of-a-lot of discharge on those batteries.
There is no way that I would subject my AGM batteries to that sort of use (or misuse!!)
FollowupID:
884459
Follow Up By: Member - William B (The Shire) - Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 20:41
Saturday, Sep 23, 2017 at 20:41
Thanks for the follow up Allan,
I have rushed into all this a bit quickly because of holidays now being upon us.
I would probably do a lot of things differently, but it is what it is.
I will always carry a generator because of built in safety that,it will give us for our Daughters VPAP machine, so the gennie will get a run just after the English Rose has a shower.
I brought the 2nd battery through a mate who is a auto electrician so I had a discount which helped.
William
FollowupID:
884466
Reply By: Member - William B (The Shire) - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:48
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 19:48
Bugga.
I should have asked this question before I brought the inverter.
I could have got away with a cheaper unit.
Oh
well, life is about learning, a pity the learning also costs me money.
William
AnswerID:
613876
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 20:14
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 20:14
We carry a 150w inverter for charging camera and cordless drill batteries.
FollowupID:
884434
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 20:35
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 20:35
Depends very much on the specific inverter.
Typically there is a "no load" power consumption (which can vary dramatically between types) plus a conversion efficiency (that might be under 90% to over 95%).
The "no load" power usage is the difference for small loads.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
613878
Reply By: RMD - Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 22:51
Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at 22:51
If the ROSE has her hair cut shorter, then a less wattage drier can be used and subsequent saving of battery charge and at the end of "hair drying" the Charge/Voltage levels will be more favourable.
This can be discussed diplomatically, I am sure it will be
well received. Emphasize the fact the fridges also need the reserve to keep items cool.
I see you can call the Flying Doctor if a medical emergency arises.
AnswerID:
613882
Follow Up By: Member - William B (The Shire) - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 18:58
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 18:58
RMD,
Mate, your a braver man than me.
I think the Flying Doctor radio might be used if I suggest that.
William
FollowupID:
884447
Reply By: Bushranger1 - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 06:48
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 06:48
G'day, William,
If you buy another smaller inverter it's best to pay more & buy a Pure Sine wave rather than a cheaper Modified Sine wave as some items can be sensitive to using the Modified wave
inverters.
You do realise that your 2000W inverter will draw more than 150 amps at 12 volts when near full load meaning your batteries will go flat fast!
Cheers
Stu
AnswerID:
613884
Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 09:04
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 09:04
My Alberta Rose's (she's Canadian) hair dryer pulls about 170 amps out of our lithium batteries on full power. The inverter is a Xantrex 1800 watt PSW. Its idle current is about an amp or a bit less but if you want to leave it on continuously it has a power saving mode that puts it to sleep until there is a demand.
Small loads like small plug packs (non USB) won't pull it out of idle, so we still need a small portable inverter for those.
AnswerID:
613888
Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 19:25
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 19:25
.
What is this big deal about mobile hair dryers?
The 'Fair Maidens' among us should be doing it this way................lol
..
AnswerID:
613904
Reply By: Genny - Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 23:48
Friday, Sep 22, 2017 at 23:48
Maaaaaaaate. You have solar panels, just use the solar hair-dryer too!
Assert yourself! Are you man or mouse? C'mon squeak up!
:) :) :)
I can speak boldly like this 'cos my missus isn't on the
forum!
AnswerID:
613910