trappers
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hi
Leisure
Leisure
VeeDub
Guest
VeeDub
Guest
Hi Tony ... and thanks for the added concern. Only sensible I suppose. The reason for the original question was because the 'book of destructions' that accompanied the inverter stated that I should connect it to the 'Vehicle - not the Leisure' battery which, to me, seemed a bit odd (unless I intended running the engine during use to avoid the obvious flat battery scenario).
The Leisure battery is 110ah - and we were looking to be running (short-duration use) small electricals, such as a low-wattage kettle, toaster et al through the Inverter (as an alternative to using the gas cooker options).
:beer:
peanut
Guest
ac/dc inverters are inefficient and even using so-called low wattage appliances its going to take you a long time to boil your kettle but more importantly its going to severely drain your battery. If the leisure battery is a deep cycle one then it could take 4-6 hours of driving to fully recharge it especially if your split charger needs to give priority to charging the van battery first.
The only things worth running off the leisure battery are 12v lighting, laptops, TV's DVD players and low current drawing things. I would advise using an inverter strictly for 230v items that you cannot get a 12v equivalent for and that are very low current draw like recharging your laptop etc.
If you have gas its much cheaper and more efficient to use that
The only things worth running off the leisure battery are 12v lighting, laptops, TV's DVD players and low current drawing things. I would advise using an inverter strictly for 230v items that you cannot get a 12v equivalent for and that are very low current draw like recharging your laptop etc.
If you have gas its much cheaper and more efficient to use that
DTDog
Guest
Sorry to disagree. I have used a 1500w inverter in my van for several years to run a toaster for my morning breakfast, microwave, for me dinner and then the misses would use it to dry her hair. It's a German van and doesn't have the luxury of an oven or grill.
I do have two 110ah batteries and keep them topped up them with a 150w solar panel. The batteries would still have enough power to run the TV and Sat dish as well as all the other stuff used in a modern van. The batteries are VARTA and I purchased them as a pair. These are over three years old now and still going strong. Okay, so watch now. I will get to the van and the batteries will have died on me !!
Firefox
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If you intend to use a 1000W inverter for things like 500-700W appliances, low wattage kettles, grills etc I would not connect it to only one leisure battery.
Recommended would be at least two 110A batteries wired in parallel (my set up) or officially they recommend 3 or 4 batteries but that is more suitable for boats due to the weight.
You can draw a high current with 700W and it can deep discharge your battery limiting its life or the inverter will trip out due to low voltage on the source battery after a short while.
Recommended would be at least two 110A batteries wired in parallel (my set up) or officially they recommend 3 or 4 batteries but that is more suitable for boats due to the weight.
You can draw a high current with 700W and it can deep discharge your battery limiting its life or the inverter will trip out due to low voltage on the source battery after a short while.
Deleted member 3011
Guest
We sometimes forget to get all pertinent facts before dispensing free advice - hence the reason for my question.
Any kettle or toaster that will actually do the job is going to be around 1kW and to run that off 12V through an inverter will drag around 100 Amps from the battery. Probably a little more.
This means about 30 minutes to completely flatten the battery and maybe 15 minutes to drag it down to the point where the inverter will trip out on low voltage.
Problem is that 100 Amps out of a 100Ah battery is about 5 times what is sensible and while you can do it for short periods, constantly battering the battery will eventually cause damage.
Yes, adding a second battery does reduce the battering considerably, but also at a cost - the need to get some charge into the battery after overusing it. Those of us who do run big stuff off multiple batteries generally also have significant amount of solar to make sure they are recharged ASAP.
As in all things RV, there are always compromises to be made - especially concerning weight of equipment and space required, as well as how deep our pockets are and how much free camping we actually do. In this case, the convenience of being able to use mains appliances may offset other limitations that will eventuate.
Regardless, gas is readily obtainable, cheap, has far higher energy-density than batteries and is nearly always the smartest way to heat food, water or living space.
As for hair drying! The Mia Farrow look is back in style, so hair drying is a breeze - literally - and the shower drain doesn't get clogged up either.
Any kettle or toaster that will actually do the job is going to be around 1kW and to run that off 12V through an inverter will drag around 100 Amps from the battery. Probably a little more.
This means about 30 minutes to completely flatten the battery and maybe 15 minutes to drag it down to the point where the inverter will trip out on low voltage.
Problem is that 100 Amps out of a 100Ah battery is about 5 times what is sensible and while you can do it for short periods, constantly battering the battery will eventually cause damage.
Yes, adding a second battery does reduce the battering considerably, but also at a cost - the need to get some charge into the battery after overusing it. Those of us who do run big stuff off multiple batteries generally also have significant amount of solar to make sure they are recharged ASAP.
As in all things RV, there are always compromises to be made - especially concerning weight of equipment and space required, as well as how deep our pockets are and how much free camping we actually do. In this case, the convenience of being able to use mains appliances may offset other limitations that will eventuate.
Regardless, gas is readily obtainable, cheap, has far higher energy-density than batteries and is nearly always the smartest way to heat food, water or living space.
As for hair drying! The Mia Farrow look is back in style, so hair drying is a breeze - literally - and the shower drain doesn't get clogged up either.
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VeeDub
Guest
Thanks for that one Tony. Following your tip I casually suggested to the Memsahib that I had always quite liked the 'Yul Bryner' look and, with a growing sense of mis-placed bravado, also remarked upon the savings to be had on the various Tints, Lotions and Potions which seem to outweigh my humble toothbrush and razor in the grand scheme of 'all things Bathroom'...
Judging by the reaction - I think that Nuptials are now off the menu for a while... but at least the silence will allow me to get on with my crossword in peace!!
:beer: