Inverter question

[MickyP]

We have just picked up our new Campervan a Sunlight 601. It came with a fitted 2500 watt inverter. I know that it will drain the 95 ah battery, which is connected to a 100 watt Solar Panel, the fridge also only runs off 12 volts. Regards the Inverter which never had before.
Is it OK to run a microwave for 7/8 mins to bake jacket potatoes? 2 mins to cook a Bacon etc, run a hairdryer for 5 mins. Occasional use of toaster, or kettle?
Mick

 

[DBK]

Can you actually see the inverter? It may say pure sine on it but if it doesn't I would assume it isn't so don't use it to charge an electric toothbrush as it may damage it.

The best answer to your other questions is to try them in a place you can connect to EHU afterwards as at this time of year your solar isn't going to do much. But you must monitor the battery voltage and I suggest not letting it drop for moment under 12 volts or if you have a battery monitor less than say 60%.

You might just get away with the potatoes as the microwave may not be running on full power all the time. Hairdryer shoulder fine but I would forgot the kettle, just stick to gas. The kettle will work if it isn't full but you will be hammering the batteries unnecessarily.

 

[MickyP]

Can you actually see the inverter? It may say pure sine on it but if it doesn't I would assume it isn't so don't use it to charge an electric toothbrush as it may damage it.

The best answer to your other questions is to try them in a place you can connect to EHU afterwards as at this time of year your solar isn't going to do much. But you must monitor the battery voltage and I suggest not letting it drop for moment under 12 volts or if you have a battery monitor less than say 60%.

You might just get away with the potatoes as the microwave may not be running on full power all the time. Hairdryer shoulder fine but I would forgot the kettle, just stick to gas. The kettle will work if it isn't full but you will be hammering the batteries unnecessarily.

Thanks for reply I will check the type will need a mirror it cost 239€ so hope it’s pure sine?
Reading your reply does it mean electric toothbrush does not like non sine wave investors? What about charging electric bike batteries? ( I would do that whilst driving from a to b)
Good advice to watch the battery monitor.
My toaster and Kettle are only 600 watt and the microwave 900 watt.
Forgot to add I live in Spain so lots of sunshine.

 

[DBK]

Thanks for reply I will check the type will need a mirror it cost 239€ so hope it’s pure sine?
Reading your reply does it mean electric toothbrush does not like non sine wave investors? What about charging electric bike batteries? ( I would do that whilst driving from a to b)
Good advice to watch the battery monitor.
My toaster and Kettle are only 600 watt and the microwave 900 watt.
Forgot to add I live in Spain so lots of sunshine.

There have been a few reports of non-sine wave inverters frying electric toothbrushes. I'm not sure about your bike charger as I have no experience of them but they are not cheap from what I've read. Hopefully, someone who knows more can add something or you could even start a new thread called "Is a non-sine wave inverter safe for my ebike charger?" or something like that.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I wouldn't use any of the high drain equipment mentioned above on a single 95ah battery. Leisure batteries aren't meant to have high current loads on them and they aren't usually the same internally as starter batteries.
Use 230v hook up or gas, and a small efficient pure sine wave inverter for chargers

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[Stealaway]

As above ---- in spades!!

 

[Just smiffy]

Bike charging will be fine whilst driving, put another identical battery on or if leisure battery is unknown age buy an identical pair new pair and it should be ok for your use. Another panel up on the roof would be even better....

 

[two]

A simple rule is not to use battery power to heat anything. There are exceptions, though, and that usually occurs when SWMBO needs to dry hair. I doubt that your inverter is pure sine wave, but it would run a microwave, if you must.

 

[MickyP]

Thanks all for your reply’s, I knew a 2500watt inverter would kill the battery if I plugged a 2000 watt kettle in but did think a 700w microwave or hair dryer toaster would be OK, forgot about toothbrush. Have checked and it is a Modified sine wave 2500 watt inverter. Thanks all for your inputs.

 

[ctc]

700 watts is what the microwave will deliver, not what it consumes. Probably nearer 1500 watts.

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[River gypsys]

You really need to up your battery capacity and your solar panel, we have a 2500 watt inverter, and a 250 watt solar panel and 300 amp hour batteries, we run myhairdryer 2 tvs , the water pump , and only have the fridge on 12 volt when driving,all the lights are led now, we've been out for 3 months again this winter and never had a problem with power

 

[pappajohn]

700 watts is what the microwave will deliver, not what it consumes. Probably nearer 1500 watts.

And half that again on start up.

 

[andy63]

We have just picked up our new Campervan a Sunlight 601. It came with a fitted 2500 watt inverter. I know that it will drain the 95 ah battery, which is connected to a 100 watt Solar Panel

by new I take it to mean brand new, not just new to you, and that is how the manufacture supply the van... ie a 2.5kw inverter one 95ah leisure battery and a 100w panel... ????
nearly beggars belief that they think that's acceptable, and the want us to believe they turn out quality kit...?

sorry just a little rant cause I do wonder sometimes about the mh industry...
Andy

 

[MickyP]

by new I take it to mean brand new, not just new to you, and that is how the manufacture supply the van... ie a 2.5kw inverter one 95ah leisure battery and a 100w panel... ????
nearly beggars belief that they think that's acceptable, and the want us to believe they turn out quality kit...?

sorry just a little rant cause I do wonder sometimes about the mh industry...
Andy

Yes it is a New Sunlight 601, The Inverter was part of a package deal. Hence the questions I knew they eat batteries but wanted to know if i could use the items mentioned, As it is a panel van the letsure battery is under the passenger seat dont think enough space for second battery, Yes i could fit a second solar panel or a larger one bu i will take on board all the comments in this thread and only use to charge Bike batteries whilst driving a to b, or occasionally if i need to and monitor battery, if i find i dont use it then i will remove if i think will be useful i can add another panel. Thanks all for your inputs.

 

[arto stu]

modified sine wave will almost defo kill lecy toothbrush.... cost me two before i worked it out lol.. trusty Honda gennie works fine though

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[Richard n Ann]

Yes it is a New Sunlight 601, The Inverter was part of a package deal. Hence the questions I knew they eat batteries but wanted to know if i could use the items mentioned, As it is a panel van the letsure battery is under the passenger seat dont think enough space for second battery, Yes i could fit a second solar panel or a larger one bu i will take on board all the comments in this thread and only use to charge Bike batteries whilst driving a to b, or occasionally if i need to and monitor battery, if i find i dont use it then i will remove if i think will be useful i can add another panel. Thanks all for your inputs.

I would remove it and fit a small one. The self consumption current of larger ones is something like 2 amps! Our little 250w pure sine wave Studer has a self consumption of 0.2a



Compact and a lot lighter too. They're expensive, but you get what you pay for.

 

[andy63]

As it is a panel van the letsure battery is under the passenger seat dont think enough space for second battery,

You may well get a second battery in the seat plinth...
A lot of manufacturers seem to be using that for leisure battery storage now... and a lot of people seem to have fitted a second battery..
But running a 2.5kw inverter at anything like its potential would mean extra battery capacity would be your priority.... and even with 4 batteries sharing say 2kw would still be in excess of 40 odd amps per battery..
Andy...

 

[Lenny HB]

IMO barking mad to have a 2500 watt inverter with a single 95a/h battery and only 100 watts of solar. The battery is probably an AGM one so that won't last very long anyway.
With that size inverter if you are going to use its full power you need at least 4 batteries if not more and around 400 watts of solar.
I find it unbelievable that a dealer can sell you such an unsuitable set up.

At €239 the inverter will be a cheapo Chinese one even if it claims to pure sine it won't be that pure, for a good one expect to pay £600 plus.

When I bought my van I got rid of the rubbish AGM battery and fitted 3 X 80a/h gel batteries and 300 watts of solar. I have a cheap 1000 watt pure sine inverter much better than a modified sine but not totally pure. Works fine on charging e -bike batteries. But with only 240a/h of batteries and only 300 watts of solar I never charge the batteries from too flat usually 50% down and only charge one battery on single day.

 

[PhilandMena]

Funsters are on the case! As said by others, your way forward is a shed load of solar power (you can never have too much)! A bigger battery bank (make sure your charger is man enough for it too). Do it once and do it right.
Mr Ed charges his 36 Volt bike battery on his 300 W inverter. The battery only takes 2 amps when charging. Check your battery specification. I would go for pure sign wave too, if the option was available to me.