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electrical:inverter [2022/10/10 13:28] frater_secessus [understanding the specs] |
electrical:inverter [2024/04/05 21:22] frater_secessus [special case: tiny loads] |
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AC-only items will require an inverter. | AC-only items will require an inverter. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== efficiency ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Inverting from DC to your local shore power spec will necessarily incur losses. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 50w * 0.8 efficiency = 60w demanded from the system | ||
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* 433MHz remote radio controlled plugs((https:// | * 433MHz remote radio controlled plugs((https:// | ||
* asynchronous motors with a capacitor to build up the 90° phase do not run well on MSW((https:// | * asynchronous motors with a capacitor to build up the 90° phase do not run well on MSW((https:// | ||
+ | * hair clippers | ||
+ | * In [[https:// | ||
+ | Also see [[https:// | ||
===== Pure Sine Wave ===== | ===== Pure Sine Wave ===== | ||
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Not all PSW are prohibitively expensive. | Not all PSW are prohibitively expensive. | ||
===== inverter chargers ===== | ===== inverter chargers ===== | ||
+ | |||
{{ https:// | {{ https:// | ||
- | An //inverter charger// performs | + | |
+ | //Inverter/chargers// are most often found on rigs that are on shore power much of the time and run heavy AC loads | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | It provides | ||
- invert 12v battery power to 120vac | - invert 12v battery power to 120vac | ||
- | - pass-through shore power when available | + | - pass-through shore power when available, with auto-switching |
- some can bond shore and battery power to support heavy 120vac loads | - some can bond shore and battery power to support heavy 120vac loads | ||
- charge battery banks like a [[electrical: | - charge battery banks like a [[electrical: | ||
+ | - some also handle solar charging | ||
They tend to be [[https:// | They tend to be [[https:// | ||
+ | Note: the Victron Multiplus line has outputs for maintaining the starter battery: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | >> The main DC terminal can supply the full output current. The second output, intended for charging | ||
===== Sizing your inverter ===== | ===== Sizing your inverter ===== | ||
Once you have made your MSW vs. PSW decision the next step is **sizing the inverter** (picking the right capacity). | Once you have made your MSW vs. PSW decision the next step is **sizing the inverter** (picking the right capacity). | ||
- | Note that to **actually power the inverter** you will need something like a 1:1 ratio of panel:inverter on flooded lead and 1:2 on AGM or lithium.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/solar-living/15554-how-to-increase-solar-panel-output-amps? | + | ==== special case: tiny loads ==== |
+ | [[https://amzn.to/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | For ~120w loads you can use [[https://amzn.to/43RbueW|a small inverter intended for the cigarette lighter port]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note: Ciggy ports are already delicate so having an inverter that sticks out of the socket will cause poor connections and often failure of the inverter | ||
==== estimating your needs ==== | ==== estimating your needs ==== | ||
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You will need to know the largest draws you will need to meet **at the same time**. | You will need to know the largest draws you will need to meet **at the same time**. | ||
- | Note that motorized | + | Motorized |
+ | |||
+ | Note that to **actually power the inverter** without voltage sag or dipping so much into battery capacity you may want need something like a 1:1 ratio of panel: | ||
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==== understanding the specs ==== | ==== understanding the specs ==== | ||
- | Inverters are generally **rated in watts** in terms of continuous resistive loads. | + | Inverters are generally **rated in watts** in terms of continuous resistive loads (heatihg elements, etc). Inductive loads (things with motors, some electric blankets, etc) can draw more than their rated wattage and overpower the inverter. |
While there are both **peak** and **continuous duty** ratings it is common for marketers to advertize only the peak rating.((http:// | While there are both **peak** and **continuous duty** ratings it is common for marketers to advertize only the peak rating.((http:// | ||
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Most inverters will shut off if they get too hot, or if the input voltage is beyond certain points. | Most inverters will shut off if they get too hot, or if the input voltage is beyond certain points. | ||
- | The low voltage cutoff is to protect your batteries from [[electrical: | + | The low voltage cutoff is to protect your batteries from [[electrical: |
+ | |||
+ | HandyBob((https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== cooling ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Most inverters have fans to pull cooler air through them. Some do this only when they are too warm, or at a given power output regardless of temp, and some run 100% of the time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If your fan runs only when hot, do not turn off the inverter until the fan has cooled the insides and stopped running. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== running big loads at lower power ===== | ||
- | HandyBob((https:// | + | see [[electrical:triac|this experimental article]] |
===== sharing power ===== | ===== sharing power ===== | ||
- | Because higher voltage power has less losses over long wires, it may be most efficient to share power between RVs as 120v. The donor vehicle would invert to 120v, plug in an extension cord to their inverter and run it to the recipient. | + | Because higher voltage power has less losses over long wires, it may be most efficient to share power between RVs as 120v. The donor vehicle would invert to 120v, plug in an extension cord((outdoor rated and approprate gauge)) |
===== differences from shore power 120vac ===== | ===== differences from shore power 120vac ===== |