Inverter/charger Q?

Kevinmc5 · December 01, 2011, 03:58:29 PM

I have our GM 4106 parked and ready for the long cold winter. Right now the inverter is plugged in to 110 outlet keeping house battery's charged. My question, is it better to leave it plugged in all winter and running or unplug it and turn it off. Has not yet dropped below o but winter is coming. What is the best way to make the inverter last as long as possible
Kevin

eagle19952 · December 01, 2011, 05:37:18 PM

My 3000w Xantrex Marine has been primarily invert/charge/pass through, via shore, gen, alternator almost continuously since 2007...my cost, (of ownership) $200.00 per year,
By my standard thats "almost" free.

Kevinmc5 · December 01, 2011, 06:04:08 PM

My inverter/charger is a Trace model# RV2512 2500 Watts. So what I thank you are saying is run the inverter to save the battery's. Is a better way wont hurt anything. It was installed in 1998. I will call Trace and see what they recommend.

Thank Kevin

eagle19952 · December 01, 2011, 06:22:20 PM

I had a 2512. agood one.
My inverter guy says to equalize once a month.

buswarrior · December 01, 2011, 06:41:44 PM

I'll plug mine in and use it to maintain the batteries for a weekend or a week, every month or so.

And when shut off, everything is shut off, batteries isolated from everything including the inverter.

Disconnected, the health of your batteries becomes obvious. Put the digital volt meter to them in a couple of weeks and see what you've got, before putting the charger to them.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Kevinmc5 · December 01, 2011, 07:09:20 PM

Thanks for the info especially from you up north as it gets cold here but not as cold as you are. I will give it a try.
Thanks Kevin

Kevinmc5 · December 01, 2011, 07:11:27 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on December 01, 2011, 06:22:20 PM
I had a 2512. agood one.
My inverter guy says to equalize once a month.

equalize. do not know what that is
kevin

Lin · December 01, 2011, 08:53:08 PM

I have been leaving my inverter/charger off, but added a 1/2 amp smart charger to keep the batteries up. I also turn that on and off periodically if I remember.

thomasinnv · December 02, 2011, 08:43:50 AM

Quote from: Kevinmc5 on December 01, 2011, 07:11:27 PM
Quote from: eagle19952 on December 01, 2011, 06:22:20 PM
I had a 2512. agood one.
My inverter guy says to equalize once a month.

equalize. do not know what that is
kevin

I'll give kind of a general explanation, someone will no doubt come along with a much more technical (translation=see how smart I am) explanation.

To equalize means that the charger or solar controller, or what ever the device is that is doing the equalizing, increases the charge voltage by a specific amount for a specific time period. (as an example, my MPPT solar charge controller is set to a bulk rate of 14.4v, and pressing the equalize button raises the voltage to 15.4). this accomplishes a few things...it attempts to "equalize" the state of charge across all cells in a battery, and all batteries in the bank. second, and maybe more importantly, it will actually "boil" or "gas" the battery. normal usage of a battery bank for many people while dry camping would be to discharge to 50% and then recharge to about 80%. over prolonged periods of this type of usage the plates can begin to get a "build up" on them that can eventually kill the battery by shorting out the plates, killing a cell. the "boiling" causes these deposites to break down and come loose from the plates, kind of renewing the battery.

buswarrior · December 02, 2011, 03:27:07 PM

Sounds like a pretty good explanation to me.

Is it much the same as the dentist's demand for flossing?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Kevinmc5 · December 02, 2011, 03:46:12 PM

Great info Thanks to all of you for your help. Reading all my manuals and checking out all my equipment is going to make this winter a fun one. I hate the cold!
Thanks Kevin

Oonrahnjay · December 02, 2011, 04:37:10 PM

Hey, Derrick. Thanks for that info (I asked a similar question a few weeks ago and got good info then too) but I wanted to ask. How does your system "equalize"? I mean, is there a button on a control panel? Is it auto or do you have to shut it down manually? Thanks, BH

bobofthenorth · December 02, 2011, 04:51:20 PM

On my Heart its some weird combination of buttons and you have to do everything inside some time limit or it doesn't happen. I always have to find the operators manual to refresh my memory on what to do. I have my Trimetric set to remind me to do it every 6 months.

Lin · December 02, 2011, 05:45:58 PM

I was told not to equalize gel or AGM batteries. Is there any truth to that?

Brassman · December 02, 2011, 06:08:55 PM

From what I've read an equalization charge, by gassing the electrolyte, eliminates stratifcation of the electrolyte, i.e. mixes it. So a gel or AGM battery won't need it for that reason. But, as always, do what the battery manufacturer says.