Invertor, how do I know when batteries are getting low?

If the batteries get too low the Inverter will make noise (BEEP BEEP) and shut down. Or at least it should. All the inverters I've used save the under 100 watt jobs did (Never got that low with them).

12.2 is the 50% point of a battery at rest. At rest means no drain at the time and has rested long enough for any voltage drop in the battery to raise to the proper at rest voltage. Depending on temperature the time varies.

With current drain from lights, or TV, water pump, furnace, Etc you can wait until a lower voltage to charge your batteries and you will still be at 50%.

In cold temperatures you will see even lower voltage and still be at 50%.

All this being said if I have several item draining my batteries and I am watching my volt meter I let my numbers go to 11.8 before worrying about it. I have let it go below 11.5 in cold temps as well.

I do have real deep cycle batteries and so far they act as good as new.

Paul

I also have a solar setup, I installed this last month to keep an eye on the amps coming in and the current voltage of my house batteries

Helps alot

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-120V-10A-Voltage-Amp-Power-Ah-Hour-Charge-Discharge-Battery-Monitor-Indicator-/181142316463?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2cec65af

If the television picture gets smaller and fades out....THAT is a clue your coach batteries are going away. At least that is what happened to me. Then I started the motor up and the picture came back, as the motor also charges the coach batteries. Next day, went out and bought new ones.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Brian,

Follow the link I sent. 12.2 volts.

As pianotuna said, don't go below 12.2 volts (50% charge) to maximize battery life.

Will do Pianotuna, thanks, didn't see that link earlier. I need to open my eyes LOL
Brian

Hi Brian,

Follow the link I sent. 12.2 volts.

I do have a solar panel too........but what's the minimum I should let the voltage drop before starting the generator?
Brian

Hi,

The television will not be damaged. The inverter will give an alarm when the battery voltage gets too low. However, by that time, the batteries will be extremely discharged with that kind of "light load". This is not good for the battery bank.

Go to Walmart and get a cigarette lighter type volt meter. Plug it in so it reads the house batteries. Shut down the inverter when 12.2 volts is being displayed.

Try this site:

http://rvroadtrip.us/library/12v_system.php

supercub wrote:
Is there a possiblitity of doing damage to the TV, etc if the power gets to low? Thanks
Brian

Yes the battery can be damaged if you discharge them to much, and don't recharge them soon after using the power. A couple of days is fine, but a week can do a lot of damage to the battery.

You should have a battery meter, that says "full 3/4 1/2 and 1/4 or it might say Full 2/3 and 1/3. It is best to recharge the battery very day for a hour or so, unless you also have a solar system that will keep the battery full during the day.

Fred.