Well Battery Question

Well Guys I have some Questions for all your battery guys.
My Truck 80 Series Landcruiser
Power Details.
Under Bonnet
2 crank Batteries in Line with up market Alternator.
IN CABIN
Behind rear seat 4 x 100AH gell Batteries connected in Line. Charged by truck alternator when traveling. When stationery charged by 3 Solar Panels (2x 64Watts 1 x104 Watts) sliding out over bonnet from under roof racks, only connected when camping. Also carry a 2500 Watt Honda Generator for 240 power.
1 x 1000watt Inverter. With 2 x 240 Plugs
1 x Smart Charger.
Accessories
Eva-Cool 47 Litre 12 volt Fridge.
Lap top Commuter with Oz explore moving Maps,7 inch GPS, Uniden uh 095sx UHF Dual Band
12volt Water Pump in Caravan + 3 x 12 volt cabin lights in van.
Questions
1. Can I connect the Smart Charger to the Inverter which will run of the Cabin 4 Batteries all the time. With out draining the Power. All will I have to add extra fuses. Or not possible
2. Can I have solar Panels Connected all the time. As well with the above.
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Reply By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 09:55

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 09:55
CLC50,

so you intend to charge your cabin batteries with the smart charger which is receiving power from the inverter which is connected to the cabin batteries ?

:)

If you could tell us what you're trying to achieve, that would make things easier.

I presume you've got an isolation switch between your starter- and cabin batteries, and also a solar regulator between solar panels and cabin batteries.


Best, Peter
AnswerID: 414948

Follow Up By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 10:00

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 10:00
I think I get it.....

You want to recharge your batteries through the mains or gennie powered smart charger while the inverter is connected to the batteries?

If that's it, the answer is yes, but with reservations.

Best, Peter
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FollowupID: 685142

Follow Up By: CLC50 (QLD ) - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 13:58

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 13:58
Thanks Peter.Battery Value
Your First question you sent to me re Charging Cabin Batteries by inverter connected to same batteries , if this is possible Both inverter & smart Charger are fixed in Truck
But you stated with reservations.Please advise on what problems I will have and are I asking for some think I don't need.

I only use the smart charger to charge batteries when home to house hold Power,The Generator via smart charger if batteries are getting low when camped for some time & the solar panels can"t keep up to my power supply no sun only rain

I have a isolation switch between my starter- and cabin batteries, and also a solar regulator between solar panels and cabin batteries. with Gauges to show charge rate to batteries,& gauge to monitor Batteries 12.5 approx
I am looking for information to improve my system if possible

I wish to charge Cabin batteries with the Inverter is running of cabin batteries when camping .l thought this would drain my cabin batteries not build the power up
When driving all 6 batteries are all been charged by Truck alternator.
Should I connect Solar Panel Permit as I only connect when parked
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FollowupID: 685153

Follow Up By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 15:30

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 15:30
Crackles summed it up pretty well below....

No you definitely can't charge your cabin batteries via inverter connected to them and smart charger plugged into the inverter. If you tried doing this, your batteries will get discharged, as you already assumed correctly.

The 'with reservations' is for mains/generator powered charging the cabin batteries while the inverter draws power from them. Yes, that's possible but your charger might get confused by the inverter current.

Best regards, Peter
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FollowupID: 685164

Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 10:59

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 10:59
"1. Can I connect the Smart Charger to the Inverter which will run off the Cabin 4 Batteries all the time. With out draining the Power."
No. If the charger is plugged into the inverter there will be a continuous power loss. I can't see any point to connecting it this way so you may have explained it wrong.
"2. Can I have solar Panels Connected all the time."
Yes you could wire them up to the 4xGell batts as long as they go through a solar regulator.
Cheers Craig.............
AnswerID: 414954

Follow Up By: CLC50 (QLD ) - Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 18:34

Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 18:34
Thanks Crackles.& Peter.
I myself thought this was true what you both advised,as I use the Inverter only in a urgent situation as I can see the batteries drop fast in power when The Inverter is on
So as most would say what works good leave will alone.
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FollowupID: 685190

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