Inverter and battery charging

wolfe10 wrote:

What are the exceptions???

Probably none......IF previous owners haven't messed with the wiring OR if something like a battery solenoid hasn't failed.

Greetings,

I just found this thread, I was over on the Class A side but have a Class C.
I'm interested in installing an inverter to power my refrigerator while driving.
I have 1 deep cycle battery installed, so I know I don't have large capacity, about 70ah expected from the battery.

With a 130a alternator would there be enough juice to keep the house battery charged while running the inverter?
Thinking about a 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter to power other small things as well when at the campsite or for an overnight with no hookup.

Thanks in advance

Sam Spade wrote:
YOu need to test the voltage at the battery while the engine is running to see if it is charging or not. Some do and some don't. If you gave your make and model someone probably knows if it should or not.

Would question that ANY motorhome built in the last two decades did not charge both house and chassis battery banks from the alternator with engine running.

What are the exceptions???

You could also just run the generator. They are made to be run. Not being run/exercised often enough, causes problems.

I thank you all your helpful suggestions.
I clipped the wire running from ignition to inverter TV outlet and now can use the tv while moving. Inverter showed an increase in voltage with engine running (12.6 to a 14.2).

Thanks,
Roadrat

AFAIK, all recent Class Cs are designed to keep the house battery charged when the engine is running. To make sure it is working correctly, measure the voltage at the house battery with the engine running, as Sam Spade said. The voltage should be greater than 13v, probably about 14v. Probably should do this with the inverter powering the TV.

Don't expect the inverter to power the microwave, AC, or other high power things and still keep the battery charged.

Some OEM inverters have an ignition lockout so driver cannot watch tv while driving.

Otherwise yes to both questions.

YOu need to test the voltage at the battery while the engine is running to see if it is charging or not. Some do and some don't. If you gave your make and model someone probably knows if it should or not.

Yes & Yes. Shouldn't be a problem....