Exponential Performance of Batteries

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Jon, Im currently not changing anything because of the charger and the fact that it is the correct component and it works well. I understand you get what you pay for but how could this temporary inverter damage things? We have used the same 1200w in previous campers and had flawless operation? Eventually I will upgrade to state of the art and when we do it will be everything all at once, a package of some sorts so for right now we are going to put as little as possible to these things. Well probably end up with something with significant solar capabilities. What about our auto start/stop for the generator how do you check and test this? And do you think that if I can eliminate the source for the false ac input light the inverter might go on? HEART interface 2400

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I'm not sure of all the systems out there and have never had to shop for an inverter so I am surely not qualified to recommend a specific product or talk about the virtues of one over another.

I have followed other discussions on other bus sites and find there are inverters and then there are inverters. Ditto with generators. The key to our comfort is having generators and inverters which supply clean power that does not adversely affect all of the devices we tend to use.

With respect to the self start, I do not have a clue as to how to test your specific one. What we have is one called "Watchdog" and it can auto-start due to low battery voltage or loss of shore power depending on how we set the switches. It also shuts the generator down if there is a cooling problem or oil pressure problem.

[dalej]

Jon can you give me the volts for the charging and the float rate, I have AGM 8D's (4) I put these batteries in back in 1999
and did not change the inverter settings, had acid batts before.

I was looking at my inverter and can set the volts of each.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

These are approximate, but I think a typical charging voltage is around 14.25 for lead / acid. AGM could be damaged at that level so I think the typical voltage there is about 13.8.

It has been a while since I reviewed my inverter book, but it goes into some detail. I think you might be able to do a web search also.

This site is a good starting point, and I think you can link through it to other sites to expand the information.

http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

Charging protocols are part of the inverters and on mine a set of dip switches on the back of the panel are the only things that have to be set for specific batteries. The rest of the regimen is taken care of from that point on so you don't need to know the specifics.

[dalej]

I just went out and looked, the charge rates lowest setting is 14.1 and float rates highest setting is 13.5. The batts are showing 13.5 with a volt meter in the float mode tonight.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

My gut tells me that is OK. Your inverter charger may have been set for AGM batteries.

In my bus I have a single alternator so both the wet cell bus batteries and the AGM house batteries are being charged simultaneously. Based on what I have seen on my voltmeters when running, my voltages are consistent with my understanding of the safe level for AGM. I am presuming that the bus batteries tolerate lower charging voltages.

The charging through your alternators is your other concern.

[dalej]

Yes that is why I will take my house alt. off and take it in to have it checked. I might just see about a new 180+ alt. I bet mine is just a small auto alt.