Battery Source - Inverter too

Tikvah · June 29, 2015, 11:10:55 AM

I'm getting close to ordering a new inverter and a battery pack. But I'm currently very rural, so I'm wondering where to get my 6v golf cart batteries. I'm assuming I can't get them local?

Also, I don't know anything except that I want 6v golf cart batteries... what else should I know?

luvrbus · June 29, 2015, 11:19:34 AM

Sams Club or Costco their prices are good on golf cart batteries and always fresh

Tikvah · June 29, 2015, 11:29:12 AM

Thanks, I see Sam's carries Duracell GC2 that has a 20 amp hour of 215 for $84.52 each

Seangie · June 29, 2015, 02:35:22 PM

Dave - That's spot on for batteries. You won't find them much cheaper than that.

Tikvah · June 29, 2015, 03:39:01 PM

And I think this is my inverter....
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

RickB · June 29, 2015, 03:48:15 PM

Tikvah,

Holy Moly! where'd you find that inverter. That is one heck of a deal on a pure sine wave 3000 watt. Nice sleuthing around for deals. The battery price is great too.

RB

Tikvah · June 29, 2015, 04:02:21 PM

Thanks Rick, but somebody is going to tell me I should spend a lot more money. But unless I can see a really good reason, I think I'll keep my money.
Some of the fancy inverters will share external and inverter power to make up for power shortage, but that's a luxury I can live without.
I haven't figured out yet how to automatically switch from pole to inverter without shutting off my power, but again, I'd be cautions spending extra cash for that feature too.

I'm really happy with simple. I like quality, but someplace there's a line we must all draw.

Dave

luvrbus · June 29, 2015, 06:38:18 PM

If you don't have core batteries they will charge you a extra 12 bucks for each of the batteries. I usually pay 5 bucks ea from the local wrecking yard and trade them in they don't care about the size lol I have traded the small lawn mower batteries in before they never said a word

Iceni John · June 29, 2015, 07:11:59 PM

Quote from: Tikvah on June 29, 2015, 03:39:01 PM
And I think this is my inverter....
http://www.theinverterstore.com/3000-watt-pure-sine-inverter-charger-24-volt.html

You may want to research other users' experiences with AIMS inverters. For around that same price range you should also look at inverters made by Cotek in Taiwan, such as Samlex and other brands - Cotek-made inverters have a good reputation, and they are repairable just in case the magic smoke escapes.

Another idea is a factory-refurbished Magnum inverter - for $1,000 I got a Magnum MS2000 inverter/charger from Wholesale Solar, complete with built-in transfer switch (which I won't need) and an efficient 100A charger, made in USA, completely repairable and field-serviceable, and built to a very high standard of design and quality. I was originally thinking of getting a Cotek inverter and Samlex charger, but the Magnum was less money overall. Brand new they're $1700-ish, so a factory-refurb is a good value. For my modest AC needs I think it will work well for me.

Just a thought.

John

Brett G · June 29, 2015, 07:16:21 PM

I just put together an entire new system. Got the Sam's Club 6 volts. SO far so good but it's brand new.

https://goo.gl/photos/Xmi9eaaHQDcdCFVP9

Tikvah · June 30, 2015, 05:00:51 AM

The primary reason I've ignored the Cotek brand is they are inverters without chargers. My current system has a 2000 MSW unit without a charger. And my experience has proven that external chargers seem to loose interest when significant DC loads are present. So, when I need DC power the most, the chargers fail.

My chargers (I have one smart charger on my 24v and one smart charger on my 12v) work wonderfully when there is little or no load on the DC. But when I run my fans, lights, pump, etc... they go into some kind of pause mode.

So, I'm figuring that the inverter/charger will be smart enough to keep charging and providing DC voltage even when I'm on the pole.

Let me know if I'm not right about this ? ? ?

Tikvah · June 30, 2015, 06:34:02 AM

Brett, What are these?

eagle19952 · June 30, 2015, 10:40:58 AM

I would seek more info regarding the item in red...(pasted from the cited URL)

Is that switchable, adjustable, a dual output unit ? 50Hz. and /or 60Hz. ?

Inverter Output Specifications:
Continuous Output Power: 3000 Watts
Surge Rating: 9000 Watts (20 Seconds)
Output Waveform: Pure Sine/Same as input (Bypass Mode)
Output Voltage: 100-110-120Vac
Nominal Efficiency: >88% (Peak)
Line Mode Efficiency: >95%
Out Frequency: 50Hz +/- 0.3Hz / 60Hz +/- 0.3Hzutp
Typical Transfer Time: 10ms (Max)
THD: < 10% DC

Tikvah · June 30, 2015, 11:51:08 AM

QuoteI would seek more info regarding the item in red...(pasted from the cited URL)

Is that switchable, adjustable, a dual output unit ? 50Hz. and /or 60Hz. ?

Donald,
I called them and they say there is a DIP switch to choose between 50Hz and 60Hz. Default obviously is 60Hz.

Debo · June 30, 2015, 12:33:23 PM

Just as a data point, I have the 6v Duracell golf cart batteries from Sam's like you're talking about and they're working great. I've had them about a year with no problems. Clifford makes a good point about the core charge though. Take something with you or they'll charge you the extra fee.