Generator runtime compared to inverter run time.

oldtrojan66 wrote:
What am I missing? What am I doing wrong?

You haven't said anything at all to indicate you switched the fridge from AUTO mode to GAS mode ... so if left on AUTO and the inverter's 120 vac output feeds the fridge then it will run in that mode. Also, have you checked to see if your particular fridge has a climate control circuit and if so whether there's a switch that will allow you to turn it off when running on battery power? Some do, some don't, but it makes a big difference as that climate control is actually a 12 vdc heating element. You also haven't provided any information at all as to the size of your battery bank - how many batteries, what group rating, what AH capacity? This also raises the question - why are you also expecting to power a 12 vdc cooler when you have a fridge, especially when you know that cooler is yet another load drawing down your valuable battery reserve? :h

I think you are asking too much from too little.
Need more batteries or better yet run generator.

12v cooler? As in a absorption style cooler. Mine pulls 8a at 12v constantly. That's the same draw as running my furnace 24/7.

Another question is what is the capacity of your bank when fully charged and how much charge are you getting back into it with the generators. Five hours sounds like a long time but at best with a depleted bank its mostly bulk charging and a few hours of float. That's not near fully charged.

The inverter could be a pig like my old 3000w PSW inverter was. When we had that we also used a 150w inverter just for a 19 inch LED TV and the satellite system. That way we only had to feed the pig while running the microwave or coffee maker.

I believe you mean charging VOLTS. If it is charging at 14.1 V, your batteries are not full yet.

What kind of 12 volt cooler? Some of those can use a lot of power.

What kind of Refer? Residential or RV. If RV and it is set to automatic and it sees that 3000 watt inverter, it will switch to AC power and run down your batteries in a heartbeat. With a 300-450 watt heater in the refer. if it is an RV refer, it will consume your batteries quickly. Make sure it is set to propane only.

And X2 smkettner, click the link above and read The 12 volt Side of Life.

Your TV would easily run on a 500 watt inverter and be more efficient too. Big inverters typically have a higher idle current use than little inverters.

Are you running the refer on straight electrical or on propane with 12V just supplying power to the refer control?

The hot water heater is on propane right?

Find the manual on that 12V cooler, they usually draw more power than you think. How many amps is it drawing?

Those two Yamahas should run one A/C without a problem.

How old are your batteries, clean terminals, water at correct level?

Bill

4000 watts should start about any RV air conditioner if all is in good condition. Did you try turning off all breakers in the RV except the main and air conditioner circuit? Otherwise the air conditioner may need a start capacitor or other service.

3000w inverter? Was that OEM? Should have 6 to 8 batteries to run close to the rating. But then even a single battery should run a tv 12 hours. Any chance the inverter is running the fridge or water heat on electricity?

13.7 to 14.1? Is that amps or volts? Really need both to know if the battery is about full.

The 12 Volt Side of Life