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Old 09-05-2021, 07:50 PM   #1
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Solar question

Does anyone know if a larger inverter will use more power to operate if it does not have a large power draw. In other words, is there a disadvantage to having a 3000 watt inverter if you are typically only going to be using 1500 - 2000 watts of power?

I am thinking about putting together a setup with 4 250watt panels a 40A Mppt charge controller and 10 100A agm batteries. Trying to decide how big of an inverter to get. Only running dc lights, water pump, a microwave a little bit, and maybe a little tv. Fridge and water heater are lp gas. 12v stuff wouldn't run through the inverter. Inverter would be pure sine wave.
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Old 09-12-2021, 02:16 PM   #2
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I ran a xantrex 2000watt inverter charger with 1200watt of solar and the biggest draw was my Samsung convection oven on 4 agm batterys cook time max 30 min

No Air conditioner on

all led lights

55in led tv

small dorm refrigerator110v AC for drinks


2 rv 9.6 CF dometic on propane and water heater on propane and Furnace on propane early morning for couple hours
3 months unplugged worked fine

You should be fine

Never ran out of power
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Old 09-12-2021, 03:40 PM   #3
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Does anyone know if a larger inverter will use more power to operate if it does not have a large power draw. In other words, is there a disadvantage to having a 3000 watt inverter if you are typically only going to be using 1500 - 2000 watts of power?

I am thinking about putting together a setup with 4 250watt panels a 40A Mppt charge controller and 10 100A agm batteries. Trying to decide how big of an inverter to get. Only running dc lights, water pump, a microwave a little bit, and maybe a little tv. Fridge and water heater are lp gas. 12v stuff wouldn't run through the inverter. Inverter would be pure sine wave.
Typically a larger inverter only means that the current capabilities of the solid state device is larger (example: a 25 amp IGBT or a 100 amp IGBT) all semi-conductors operate in the same manner, with the same (essentially) losses, which means that a small inverter or a large inverter will not have any significant difference in operation current draw.

Also I do not believe that there is ANY inverter on the market that produces a "Pure" Sine-wave. All inverters produce what is called (at least where I live) a "Synthetic" sine-wave. Without big long detailed instruction, the inverter turns the DC on and off for varying times (on then off, then on for longer then off for shorter) this produces a group of pulses that eventually replicate 1/2 of the sine wave, the DC is then inverted and the process starts over. This gives the other half of the sine wave now an upper portion has been produced and a lower portion has been produced which is 1 cycle of the sine-wave (the on/off time is in the 0.000001 time frame (Nano-seconds) 1 cycle of a sine wave of 60 Hz (standard North American frequency is 16.67 milli-seconds)

These pulses are not smooth but due t their on/off time ration it replicates a sine-wave but is certainly not "Pure"
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Old 09-16-2021, 07:52 AM   #4
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Ok, so how can they get away with advertising them as "pure sine wave" vs modified sine wave?

Also, I see a lot of no name charge controllers at ridiculously low prices. I know these must be junk, but how do you know?

I currently have a setup with 4 x 250w panels going through a morning star 45a charge controller, charging 8 vmax tank agm 125ah batteries wired for 24v.

I want to set up another system with 4x 250w panels and 10 x 100ah agm batteries. The panels are 8.?amps, so a 45 amp charge controller should work, but someone said I would need 2 of them. What would be the other limiting factor on the charge controller. I know there are other numbers, but I don't know what they mean.
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Old 09-16-2021, 08:53 AM   #5
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One would need to talk to government regulators as far as "False Advertising".

IMHO most of this stuff comes from China and just because it is "ridiculously low prices" does not equate to junk. Many products sold at the likes of Canadian Tire, Home Depot are also for sale at Uncle Verns, same product much lower price at Uncle Verns. We, as North American consumers, are buying Chinese products almost every place where we shop. Several years ago I was looking to a BBQ, found one at the local store ($2500.00) went searching on the inet found same BBQ from a Chinese supplier (a little over $250.00, exactly same one including the recipe book). Problem is I would need to have bought 2, shipped them, and pay Duty & GST, as I remember the estimated landing costs at my door was right around $1000.00 and but I would have had 2 BBQ's. My story on Chinese VS what we consider other brand. Chinese units MAY not have all the bells and whistles but doesn't mean they are junk.

Since your panels are connected in Series you are limited to the 8.?? amp output therefore a 45 amp charge Controller should be good.

My bigger concern is: Do you have proper Fusing? Do you have a proper Disconnect?

You are talking massive Short Circuit current capabilities which present possible, lethal voltages and currents, which could also result in destruction of your RV. I say this out of concern for life and limb.

A battery bank is not simply connected to a charge controller nor is the PV (Photo-Voltaic cell = Solar Panel) simply connected to the CC and on to the load, although many wiring diagrams would lead us to believe that.

There needs to be means of disconnection and fusing. This system once installed is similar to a house electrical system and needs to have protection.

Lastly you have (will have) some serious power capabilities. I assume you are a boon-docker and need that sort of power. (225 ah of battery power)
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Old 09-16-2021, 10:34 AM   #6
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Yes, I have all the proper wiring and fuses in between the major components plus my panels come into a combiner box with individual fuses on those as well. The current set runs to a pedistall and we plug the rv directly into that. Our problem right now is that the setup is 24v due to the inverter and we can't run directly to our batteries. Everything is running off the inverter.

On the second setup will be split. The panels, controller and batteries will be in one place where the sun is. The rv will be in another. Vwhen needed I plan to pull a few batteries, take them to the rv. Have the inverter there. If I run them down, I can swap them out with fresh batteries from the solar setup.

Property is off grid. No utilities at all. Sunlight is limited to a few hours a day in one clearing surrounded by 200' tall oaks. Thus the large battery banks. We don't go very often, every couple of weeks for a few days, so there is usually plenty of recharge time.
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Old 12-10-2021, 04:34 PM   #7
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I installed a 4000 watt inverter so I can run whatever I might need. It also runs the 13.5 btu A/C unit as long as the batteries hold out. I currently have 400 watts solar and 400 amps of lithium batteries. Plan on another 600 watts of solar soon. So far so good.
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Old 04-30-2022, 01:39 AM   #8
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Typically a larger inverter only means that the current capabilities of the solid state device is larger (example: a 25 amp IGBT or a 100 amp IGBT) all semi-conductors operate in the same manner, with the same (essentially) losses, which means that a small inverter or a large inverter will not have any significant difference in operation current draw.

The larger an inverter, the larger the no load(idle) power usage. While that no-load power usage might seem small, it is 24 hrs/day, and can certainly add up. My little 1000W tru-sine uses a mere 300mA @idle(Larger inverters can use significanly more). That means it is using just shy of 1 AH every 3 hours, or roughly 8 AH/day. If you had an 80 AH Lead acid battery (Never discharge below 50%) 5 days of idling with no input to the battery, and no usage on the inverter at all, would leave you with a dead battery.
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Old 04-30-2022, 06:34 AM   #9
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My bigger concern is: Do you have proper Fusing? Do you have a proper Disconnect?

You are talking massive Short Circuit current capabilities which present possible, lethal voltages and currents, which could also result in destruction of your RV. I say this out of concern for life and limb.

A battery bank is not simply connected to a charge controller nor is the PV (Photo-Voltaic cell = Solar Panel) simply connected to the CC and on to the load, although many wiring diagrams would lead us to believe that.

There needs to be means of disconnection and fusing. This system once installed is similar to a house electrical system and needs to have protection.
End quote

I do have all the fuses and disconnects. My panels are run into a combiner box with individual fuses and a shutoff. I have 60A inline fuses between my charge controller and bats and between the bats and inverter.

Thank you for the information.
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Old 05-01-2022, 11:20 AM   #10
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If your looking at efficiency then check out Victron Inverter/Chargers. Pricey but well worth the extra dollars. Completely programmable for every battery type. Victron also make solar controllers that are programmable as well.

I looked at many different setups and in the end I spent a fair amount more than I wanted to. However the system is fool proof. Right down to the battery heaters for Saskatchewan weather. Its all controlled and monitored.

I have been working with a programmer to add the mopeka propane tank sensors to the system. But I think we are a ways away from that working completely.
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Old 05-01-2022, 03:02 PM   #11
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I agree. Victron is the way to go. I'm running 24 volt 3000 watt charger inverter. I built a 24 volt 200 ah 4800 wh LifePo battery and 4 ,200 watt solar panels. I'm into astrophotography so I need power to run my gear off grid. I don't have the battery heaters or the Microair yet. I over sized my wiring and fused according to specs. This is a travel trailer and just out of safety I shut off the switch between the charger inverter and the battery while traveling. The panels are still charging the batteries though. I installed everything so if I change campers I can just move the gear to the next camper.

Just my 2 cents

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Old 11-13-2022, 03:06 PM   #12
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Charging issues

Recently purchased crossroads trail. Came with 2 panel system, go power GP-PWM-30-UL. Xantrex inverter. Currently unit is parked at my work. Sun shining. Go power is displaying moon and system is indicating battery percentage declining and battery is at 11.4v. Shouldn’t the system be charging the battery to keep it full? Camper is running minimal load and mostly winterized. Can’t seem to get go power into sun mood. So it doesn’t appear to be charging the batteries.
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Old 11-13-2022, 08:23 PM   #13
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Recently purchased crossroads trail. Came with 2 panel system, go power GP-PWM-30-UL. Xantrex inverter. Currently unit is parked at my work. Sun shining. Go power is displaying moon and system is indicating battery percentage declining and battery is at 11.4v. Shouldn’t the system be charging the battery to keep it full? Camper is running minimal load and mostly winterized. Can’t seem to get go power into sun mood. So it doesn’t appear to be charging the batteries.
I have a victron system so I'm sure it looks different. Is there a manual shut off or disconnect for the system somewhere ? I installed one for my panels when I installed the system.

Is this the system you have ?
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/c...-PWM-30-UL.pdf

The sun symbol comes on when the panels supply power automatically and switches to moon when no power is coming from the panels. I found this video.

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Old 11-13-2022, 08:34 PM   #14
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Charging issue

Yes that is the system we have. I can’t seem to get it to switch out of night mode. It is only displaying the night mode charging profile. We don’t have the trailer plugged in. And the Xantrex inverter has gone into standby mode. Yesterday it was displaying battery mode.
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Old 11-13-2022, 08:51 PM   #15
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Hmmm. It would appear that the panels aren't supplying power to the charge controller. I would give the dealer a call. I viewed the video and it looks like it should automatically go into the sun mode when it needs charging.
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Old 07-09-2023, 06:19 AM   #16
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Panel purchase?

This thread has been very helpful - thanks to all.

Looking to set up a 400W solar recharge system. Currently running 2 lead acid batts, will be adding 2 more. Will also be adding an inverter to run fridge, microwaye, and hopefully AC (not sure if that will work - might be too much demand on the batteries?)

Can anyone suggest good quality solar panels? I have no background on brands, etc. and want to avoid junk.

Thanks in advance.
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Old 07-09-2023, 06:55 AM   #17
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400 watts an 4 batterys are no where close to run a air-conditioner ac units need min 2000 watts to start
I used 8 6v batterys in my rv and had 1200w
Solar on the roof when we had power outages
It would run everything but I still switched water heater to propane along with both rv fridges

Other rv has 4 6v batterys
600 watt solar
Propane only heater
1100 watt microwave
And residential fridge and 1800 watt inverter
Tv
Only time I plug it in to generator is to run the ac unit
12000 btu dometic
Honda 3000is inverter generator
Hope this help
Here's a link where I got my panels

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28436345534...=artemis&media
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Old 07-09-2023, 02:28 PM   #18
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I bought my panels from https://richsolar.com/ . You may want to research your battery choices. Lithium iron phosphate cost more but has less downsides and has a lot longer life span.
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Old 07-10-2023, 06:44 AM   #19
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Thanks TDG and AstronomyGuy for your replies - good info in both but of course they raise more questions - LOL.

First - TDG, is there a reason you are using 6V batts rather than 12V? Cost? Efficiency? Other?

Next - AstronomyGuy, yes I have considered lithium batts and might go that way in the future, but I have heard that one should use all the same type of batteries in a bank - not sure why...? If you know of this I would appreciate your feedback. The prior owner had just replaced with two brand new lead acid batts before I bought the trailer. So for now I will use lead acid until I need to upgrade them - but thanks for that suggestion.

Finally - for both of you, or anyone else, are there any controllers you would recommend over others. Again, this is a new area for me and I'm trying to narrow the market a little bit.

Thanks again for reading and responding!
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Old 07-10-2023, 11:37 AM   #20
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My camper came with a GoPower 200W panel on the roof, a GoPower solar controller and a Lippert 1000W inverter. I purchased a portable 200W BougeRV 9 busbar cell solar panel to plug into the solar-on-the-side connector. I have 2 12v AGM batteries.

My reasoning on using 12v batteries is that if one dies on the road, I can disconnect it and still have battery power, but if I had 2 6v batteries and one died I would be dead in the water.
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