Ideal sized Inverter-?

[Anonymous]

I agree with all of that including very short runs on the microwave (we use the hairdryer for short periods but our invertor isn't big enough for the microwave).

Like you, my family experience goes back a long way, over 30 years with different types of battery - including Sonnenschein gels not, as yet, AGMs.

I am worried about the degree of control needed for AGM charging. When I look at how my Mastervolt manages the FLAs - periodically it seems to do something that it shouldn't do then reverts back to normal - I certainly would not use the present Mastervolt. Changing an 80A charger would would expensive so I shall probably not do it unless it fails at the same time that I need new batteries.

How have you managed to ensure the proper charging regime for your new AGMs? Have you been able to monitor it accurately to see that all is well?

 

[sailinglegend420]

We've had the system for four years now. After cruising France for the last two summers to test it all we are finally heading further south next year, so lots more appraisal still to do.

Glad to see someone with a BIG house bank - but I would offer one comment on the 2 x 550Ah. The bullshit data sheets will prove to you that it is better to combine the two banks into one BIG one. At the moment you can only get 250Ah of usuable power before you should recharge at 50% capacity. If you combine the two banks then after a draw of 250Ah your bank will only have discharged to 75% capacity. All battery manufacturers will tell you that they last significantly longer if they are not over discharged.

That means I can happily take 65 Ah out of my batteries to heat my hot water for an hour or cook with the electric pressure cooker - and still be well above my 75% - lets turn on the genny - time. That is how I use my system - it saves on genny running time which has to be ballanced against noise, maintenance and battery life.