Inverters Feedback

Hi Nikkilinks

What are the specs on the fridge and air conditioner ?

What are the specs on the inverters ?

What size is the wire you are using ?

Start up current on these appliances can be very high and some modified sine wave inverters are not the best quality so won't run some compressors. Also see if you can get a tong tester to test what these appliances pull when they start up.

Regards

Derek.

Also can your batteries handle that sort of load. I have found this with boats where people want all the luxuries of home and wonder why their mnicrowave or coffee machine will not work and all they are using is a small piddle a***d battery that is really only suitable for lights and radio.

If you are looking at a 2500w from 12V battery, you will be looking at drawing 200+ amps from your 12V batteries so you will need decent sized batteries to cope with that load, not to mention the extra required for start up current which the inverter may not be able to handle.

The guy with the boat bought a gen-set to solve his problems, we just don't bother with our boat

Stevesub

Wow, that 48hr hold was torture! Thanks guys for answering me. Here are the specs: Fridge 120V 60hz 15A, Freezer 115A 60hz 54A, Air Conditioner Input 620w 115V 60hz 5.8A. Battery M12V155ft 155amp hrs 8hr rate to 1.75VPC nominal flat voltage 13.5-13.8VC. Terminal wire torque 11.3ov-n 100m-lbs. The batteries are connected to the inverter via TA YA 600V KIV 14mm2. I know zilch about electronics so I wrote all of the numbers I could see.Also, I tried connecting the freezer to the 2500W inverter it started, but I plugged in a small lamp and power for the inverter quit,even though the inverter's engine seemed to still be running. Trying to convert to solar via an inverter is confusing.

I think that you really need to get someone who knows about batteries, solar, inverters etc to come visit you as trying to educate someone over the net via posts is not that easy.

Also you now have me confused as to the inverter - you said in your last post

"but I plugged in a small lamp and power for the inverter quit,even though the inverter's engine seemed to still be running."

Normally you cannot hear an inverter - are you trying to run things from a generator with an inverter?

As for cables, for the sort of power you are trying to draw from your batteries, you will need cables the size of the ones for your starter motor on a vehicle or arc welder cables as a minimum size.

If you are running 4 x 155amp hr batteries, you will not run fridges, air con, etc for long without charging them somehow.

Where do you live as you have US spec'ed fridge, freezer and air-con?.

Stevesub

I suggest you get some local help. It is too difficult to give you accurate information over the net without actually seeing your set-up.

I have traveled to many small islands around the world and there is always someone who can help.

If you have to pay for advice, also do that as it is cheaper than destroying expensive inverters and batteries by connecting them the wrong way. If you want to connect the whole house, you will need expert advise on the number and size of batteries as well as the size of your solar panels - they will have to be big and will be expensive if you plan to run air con, fridges, etc.

If you go too small, the batteries may go flat which is not good for them and you will destroy them, too small solar panels will mean that the batteries will not charge properly, too small cable diameter on the 12V side can cause a fire, etc, etc.


Stevesub

Thanks guys!!! I got 12hrs out of my inverter just using the basics (lights,TV,computer),even got my water pump to work. I will try to find additional help locally.But... now I know that it can work and I can build the system slowly so it won't seem so expensive.

Can't wait to vacation in the Outback! You all seem so friendly. This site must contribute greatly to your tourism.