Inverter

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denbo
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Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #1
This might sound like a daft question but if I plug my 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter directly into my motorhome form my 2 batteries just so i make the existing 230 sockets live for a short time only just to run something low wattage like a DVD player or similar Will l do any damage
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #2
No. That’s what it’s for.
baguette
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #3
A steamroller to crack a nut.
Such a large inverter will itself used more of you battery power to run itself than the small amount required by the dvd player.
For such small loads a 150watt inverter would be more than enough and use less of the battery reserve.
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #4
I agree with Baguette. It’s inefficient to use such a big inverter on a small load but it shouldn’t cause damage. If you can justify a large inverter because you are running lots of appliances or bigger loads occasionally then fair enough.
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #5
I was thinking of putting my fridge on 230v through the inverter especially when in Spain when the solar panel is charging the batteries with full sunshine it will obviously save gas
Then when the sun goes down switch back to gas
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #6
Quote by denbo

I was thinking of putting my fridge on 230v through the inverter especially when in Spain when the solar panel is charging the batteries with full sunshine it will obviously save gas
Then when the sun goes down switch back to gas


Alot of bother to save a little gas
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #7
A three way fridge, being an absorption fridge, is very inefficient on electricity. I wouldn’t recommend trying to run it on battery, no matter how much sunshine you get. A compressor fridge is a different matter. Better off keeping the three way on gas or EHU, but not on battery.
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 13.02.2020  ·  #8
Quote by denbo

I was thinking of putting my fridge on 230v through the inverter especially when in Spain when the solar panel is charging the batteries with full sunshine it will obviously save gas
Then when the sun goes down switch back to gas


Last June the gas packed up on the fridge while at the LeMans 24 hour. As a stopgap I connected the mains supply to the fridge to the inverter. By the end of day one the battery (2 X 110 amp) was well down even though I have 2 X 100 solar panels and a top of range M.P.P.T charge controller.
I think 300watts in mid summer sunshine in southern France or Spain would be the minimum to run a fridge without wiping out the batteries.
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 14.02.2020  ·  #9
Quote by denbo

This might sound like a daft question but if I plug my 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter directly into my motorhome form my 2 batteries just so i make the existing 230 sockets live for a short time only just to run something low wattage like a DVD player or similar Will l do any damage


If you decide to do this you need to ensure that the battery charger is switched off otherwise you create a circular situation where

The inverter powers the battery charger
The battery charger charges the battery
The battery powers the inverter
The inverter powers the battery charger
Etc
Etc
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Re: Inverter

 ·  Posted: 15.02.2020  ·  #10
Quote by kabundi

If you decide to do this you need to ensure that the battery charger is switched off otherwise you create a circular situation where

The inverter powers the battery charger
The battery charger charges the battery
The battery powers the inverter
The inverter powers the battery charger
Etc
Etc


Yes. Definitely do not have a mains charger powered from the inverter connected back to the battery. You won’t get perpetual motion but some word feedback loop instead.
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Invertor

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2020  ·  #11
Just allow the inverter to power one circuit in the motorhome and fit a mains change over switch. You will save batt power and do no damage. That has worked for me for over 10 years also good if the inverter has a remote switch. The inverter should be fitted as close to the battery as possible to reduce voltage drop. Voltage drop at 12v is high once you leave the inverter 230ac cable distance will not be a issue run that to the change over switch.
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