Inverter Question

You must leave the invertor ON!Even a short period (a few weeks) will allow the batteries to drain dead.Then if the batteries are dead the invertor wont turn on!Double trouble!

Will the inverter be secure? It could be the target of thieves.

You can turn it off, no problem, while you're gone. No need for it to operate while no one is there.

The inverter can be easily disconnected from the batteries, one terminal will do it, so the batteries won't discharge.

True....you must disconnect the cables to prevent discharge.But if you dont...trust me.....I learned the hard way.They will discharge rapidley.

As far as securing the invertor,use the blue cement screws to attatch it to the wall.Then strip the heads so no one can then unscrew it.This wont stop a determined thief with a hammer and chisel but it will slow down or stop a kid(s).

battries won't discharge?

Trojan: Periods of inactivity can be extremely harmful to lead acid batteries. When placing a battery into storage, follow the recommendations below to insure that the battery remains healthy and ready for use.

NOTE: Storing, charging or operating batteries on concrete is perfectly OK. The most important things to avoid:

Heat. Avoid direct exposure to heat sources, such as radiators or space heaters. Temperatures above 80? F accelerate the battery's self-discharge characteristics.
Step by step storage procedure:
1. Completely charge the battery before storing.
2. Store the battery in a cool, dry location, protected from the elements.
3. During storage, monitor the specific gravity (flooded) or voltage. Batteries in storage should be given a boost charge when they show a 70% charge or less. Completely charge the battery before re-activating.
For optimum performance, equalize the batteries (flooded) before putting them back into service. Refer to the Equalizing section for this procedure.

Properly store the batteries, I suppose where they are is ok, it should however met these aformentioned recomendations, it is sensible.

and put them on a automatic trickle charger, it works cuando hay luz and will maintain a minumum charge in the batteries, although you need to take into consideration what type of battery bank you have, as most triclke chargers are going to be 12 or 24 VDC, if you have 36 or 48 VDC, you will have to remove and adjust some of the jumpers to make the battery bank the correct voltage for your charger.

You are on your own in securing your stuff from theft, I am sure you are aware of this need.

Good advice with the trickle charger. Cheap and effective.

And "who" is going to maintain the batteries.

Using small outdoor cages for the batteries is an open invitation for them to be stolen.
I use an attached concrete battery room for mine.

The Distilled water level must be maintained in the batteries.
Water level should be checked about every 15 days, 30 at the most in my opinion.

The house is almost always empty

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With the house being vacant,
... most likely the batteries and the Inverter will be missing on your return.


SantiagoDR

Do not trust the label.

AlterEgo said:

__distilled water

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IMO, another possibillity to cheat customers. :bunny:

For years I have been buying 'aqua bidestillada' from a lab suppllying clinics.
After some funny experiences I now buy it at 70 Pesos/ Gallon, only little more than the ferreter?a stuff...

donP

Rather Not Gel

JDJones said:

Gel batteries are great, but super expensive.

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They have advantages but disadvantages with certain applications.
They are also not meant for fast charging.
IMO, the acid type is the best value for inverter use.

donP

JDJones said:

Can't you guys buy battery water in the 2.5 gallon jugs? I get those at Nacional for something like 110 pesos.

Even the gallon jugs are only 50 pesos.

There was a thread on here a while back about gel batteries. If I remember correctly, they were like 6-7K each. They put out some really good amperage though.

As an example, on my old harley, with a regular 12V battery, the starter motor turns the engine over at an acceptable speed.

With a 12V battery, it turns over like a sewing machine.

If my bike sits with a conventional battery for a few weeks without starting, the conventional battery goes dead.

Sitting a few weeks for the gel battery doesn't even phase it.

Click to expand...

I've had experience with gel batteries in marine applications. Their advantage is storage (no gassing, you can mount them in any position, sideways, upside-down, etc.) and rapid recharging....at a lower charging voltage. A typical alternator/regulator charging system on a bike or car will charge rising up to 14.2 volts. That can kill a gel battery.

Cranking amperage has more to do with battery construction than type. Deep cycle batteries have thick plates, high amperage batteries have thin plates.

Deep cycle batteries just don't crank engines like start batteries do. But crank batteries cannot survive the deep discharges a deep cycle battery does.

Perhaps the battery you refer to is the AGM type, not a gel. Big difference. AGM suspende the electroylte differently that a normal cranking lead-acid battery does.

And both will discharge under the same conditions.

My neighbor bought the gel batteries about 3 years ago. He feels that, overall, they are not worth the investment, and next time, he will go back to the Trojan batteries.