Voltage Inverter Question / Help (1 Viewer)

[Ninovan]

I want to install an inverter into our van. I've got a 500w pure sine wave that I want to put into the rear locker on the forward bulkhead as no room where the batteries are. I could then drill a hole through the bulkhead to put the cables through to connect to the battery. About 600 - 700 mm run. Ideally, I would like a remote switch between battery/inverter to save going in to the rear locker all the time to switch it on. Cable to run from output of inverter to 3 pin socket mounted under side seat, about 1m run.Would mainly use it for charging bike batteries, etc., poss laptop charger. No hairdryer . Bike chargers take 1.8A max = 430w. Is the inverter big enough or should I get 1000w one. If anybody is going to the South Western Show @ Shepton Mallet & could talk me through it would be really helpful. Must be a beer in there somewhere . Arriving Friday, leaving Sunday. Thanks.

 

[pappajohn]

Bigger would be better.
A 500w inverter feeding a 430w charger will be nearly running flat out and producing a lot of heat.

 

[Ninovan]

Bump?

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[DBK]

If you've already got the inverter and your sure the bike charger only takes 1.8 amps max then give it a go. I suspect the max charging current won't last for very long and may only occur if the bike battery is fully discharged.
I did a thread on fitting my 1500W inverter (still going strong) which lists at the end suppliers I used for cables, isolating switch etc. Its in tech mech general I think.

 

[hilldweller]

Bike chargers take 1.8A max = 430w..

Are you sure that is 1.8A in ( might just be a startup peak ). 480W into a 24V battery is 20A, way too high.

Chargers usually output around 2A which is 48W or 72W depending on your battery.

 

[Ninovan]

Are you sure that is 1.8A in ( might just be a startup peak ). 480W into a 24V battery is 20A, way too high.

Chargers usually output around 2A which is 48W or 72W depending on your battery.

Will check labeling again tomorrow & get back to you. Thanks

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[Ninovan]

Oops. Double post

 

[Ninovan]

@hilldweller
Label on charger -
Sans Electronic Co. Ltd.
Li-ion Battery Charger
Model SSLC084V42
Input: AC100V - 240V ~ 1.8A max
Output: 42.0V --- 2.0A

 

[DBK]

It looks fine, the output suggests 84W max so allowing for losses the input shouldn't be more that around 100W.
Alternatively, the input voltage is from 100 volts upwards and the maximum stated current of 1.8 amps should occur with the lowest input voltage. So looked at this way the input might be 180W. Even if the 1.8 amps occurs at a 240 volt input you are still under 500W. So whichever way you look at it you should be under your 500W inverter rating.

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[Reallyretired]

I have a 500w inverter which I put in for the washing machine. As its under the bed is also handy for the electric blanket. In terms of a remote switch I just used a standard automotive 40A relay in the feed line from the battery.

Admittedly the inverter at full wack will draw around 50A but it is normally switched on/off without any load so the relay is fine. This arrangement wouldn't work for a larger inverter where a proper remote would be required.

 

[hilldweller]

Input: AC100V - 240V ~ 1.8A max
Output: 42.0V --- 2.0A

[COLOR=#000000]
You've already had the answer but since you addressed me I'll agree. The output is the key 42V @ 2A so allowing for losses only 100W continuous current.

I guess your battery is labelled 36V because a lithium battery is charged to 4.2V which means you have a 10 stack battery. Lithium on load is 3.7V so 37V in total under load.

You'll be fine. That 1.8A will be for less than a 10th of a second as the input charges up to mains voltage then it will settle to 100 / 240 = 0.24A[/COLOR].