Whether to get the inverter and transfer switch

[Bill and Earline]

I have dual 6V batteries, the 1500W inverter, and 355W of solar panels on my trailer. I bought a 700W microwave to use in the trailer. When boondocking I can use the microwave about once a day for 6-8 minutes; my battery monitor shows it lowering the battery level up to ten percent. If the batteries are over 90% when I start it works fine, if they are charged less than that when I start the inverter complains "beeeeeeeep" but finishes the job. I don't attempt to use the microwave if the batteries are at 80% or below.

Mike, we have the same batteries and inverter. Last year when headed to Osoyoos and while dry camping, we were getting the inverter beeeep after just a few seconds of microwave, when previously we had never heard it even after several minutes. Mentioned it to Reace, and he found a slightly loose battery cable connection. When he crimped it back to a firm connection, no more inverter beep. Had to do that re-crimping again this year, with Iowa Dave as advisor. Again fixed the inverter sound.
I need to find and read the inverter manual to see just exactly what that beep is indicating. Somehow we didn't get one. Thanks for the reminder.
Bill

 

[rbryan4]

Bill, the buzzer indicates a voltage drop. If the cables were loose that could have caused it.

Here's a link to the manual, if yours is the Samlex Pure Sine Wave like ours.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...DjWczAywzaFRwzxmQ&sig2=YUqATemkebRX5ZBSIP2SPA

By the way, there is an excellent section in this manual describing battery banks connected either in series or in parallel. Was surprised that was in there.

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[Jim Bennett]

Yo Jim- you bring up a great point that people frame their opinions on the lens they are currently using and want to confirm their own choices. I remember well the thread from a few years ago that greatly defended 12V only being necessary. Times they are a changin'

During out current three week tour up to Crescent City then over to Ashland then up and over to Coos Bay and down again we haven't heard one generator runningH:signpeace: Hopefully more people are realizing what solar and inverters can do.

An inverter bigger than 200W, set up for a TV, and an oven. All things I was glad to do without a short while ago. Since then discovered that I was not alone in making decision regarding the trailer. I blame my wife. Yeah, it is all her fault.

I heard a few gensets when we were out after the Escape Rally, though they were not real noisy, were run during the allowed morning and early evening 2 hr limits, and the campsites were large and treed. Once solar really takes root with some of these folks, many who have been used to a genset for many years, it will become even quieter out there, and I like that idea.

 

[Bill and Earline]

Thanks for that Robert. That's the one.

 

[BCnomad]

Throwing this out there, but wouldn't a set of lithium batteries help Mike or someone like Mike, get more run time for the microwave? Less voltage sag?

 

[rbryan4]

Throwing this out there, but wouldn't a set of lithium batteries help Mike or someone like Mike, get more run time for the microwave? Less voltage sag?

Perhaps there would be less of a dip, but you're still using the same amount of stored energy. I think the key if you want to use things like microwaves when boondocking is more solar generation, and more bank to store it in. Personally, I would completely forego the microwave if boondocking. Easier to cook on the fire and enjoy roughing it.

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[Brian B-P]

Throwing this out there, but wouldn't a set of lithium batteries help Mike or someone like Mike, get more run time for the microwave? Less voltage sag?

Yes, the voltage during discharge would be more stable - that's an interesting reason to consider lithium. Another advantage would be that typical lithium batteries (there are many variations) are claimed to charge (and presumably discharge) more efficiently than lead-acid batteries. For the same energy input from the solar system, lithium batteries would store more energy, then deliver more energy to the loads (microwave or anything else). I haven't seen good values for the efficiency of either type of battery.