6 volt vs 12 volt batteries for boondocking
Hi all, While waiting for our new 28' Stealth toy hauler we're trying to figure out the best batteries to get for when we're back in the hills camped off the grid. We ordered the optional 200 watt ...
Forum Discussion
placergold wrote:
ktmrfs, "but the downside to GC is high internal resistance, not ideal for heavy draws like a big inverter".
Q. Is a 1,500 watt Go Power inverter considered big?
my experience that I think has been verified by others.
A pair of GC batteries will drive a 1000W inverter untill the battery is down to around 80 percent SOC, then the inverter will alarm and shut down due to low input voltage. Now that means unless a pair is well charged, you may be out of luck even at 1000W.
4 GC batteries will run a 1000W inverter at full load down to near 50 percent. Why? well each pair of batteries is supplying 1/2 the total current draw. At least mine do.
So...... If you really want to draw 1500W from an inverter a pair of GC is not a good choice. 500W draw, probably ok, 1000W draw only on a nearly fully charged battery.
This is the downside of GC and where 12V marine or starting batteries shine. WAY WAY lower internal resistance partly because the have many many thin plates rather than a few thick plates. But that's why the don't like deep discharges either.
Now if that draw if for a microwave oven, here is a hint. buy a panasonic true inverter microwave. they don't cycle the power, the drop the magentron power. So in my case my 1500W panasonic microwave draws about 800VA at 50 percent power. works great on my 1000VA inverter, works great with my 4 GC batteries. And at 50 percent power it doesn't take twice as long to heat up something, maybe a third or so longer. Works great for reheating veggies, warming coffee, tea, etc.
