Hyrbrid Inverter and generator to run AC?
I’m looking for inputs from those using hybrid inverters, especially in conjunction with generators to run high load devices like the AC. I currently have 600 watts of solar on the roof of my 5er, wit...
Forum Discussion
Hi ctilsie242,
I just tried my roof air on the Magnum 3012 inverter with the batteries totally full two days ago. The red fault light on the remote came on for perhaps 1/2 second.
I would go for Victron and 24 volts, Outback and 24 volts, and Magnum and 24 volts, as a minimum.
At least for the Magnum 3012, load support is NOT voltage support, so don't expect it to do surge support in combination with external power (shore or generator) or to prevent low voltage damage to the roof air. Switching to load support on the Magnum is slower than the switching to voltage support on the Sola Basic autoformer.
There are some reports that the Sola Basic doesn't switch fast enough in some situations.
If my Magnum had not been under warranty, I would have moved to Victron (and 48 volts for the bank).
So, although the 12 volt Magnum can start the roof air, I really think it is pushing the Magnum too hard. I get ground fault errors from some, but not all GFCI shore power outlets. Apparently Victron does not exhibit this behavior.
A 24 volt inverter only has to work 50% as hard as a 12 volt. In an ideal world I'd move to a 48 volt bank, with a 48 volt inverter.
Again, please remember that load support on the Magnum is NOT intended as voltage support. So, on low voltage 15 amp shore power, all the Magnum will do is blend power from the battery bank to allow the running of items which total more than 15 amps without blowing the shore power breaker. The Magnum can be "tricked" into voltage support by deliberately limiting the shore power amperage to an extremely low level, but I believe doing so may have caused my Magnum to become damaged which eventual caused it to catch on fire.
That said, I find the load support feature extremely useful, when I can use it.
I just tried my roof air on the Magnum 3012 inverter with the batteries totally full two days ago. The red fault light on the remote came on for perhaps 1/2 second.
I would go for Victron and 24 volts, Outback and 24 volts, and Magnum and 24 volts, as a minimum.
At least for the Magnum 3012, load support is NOT voltage support, so don't expect it to do surge support in combination with external power (shore or generator) or to prevent low voltage damage to the roof air. Switching to load support on the Magnum is slower than the switching to voltage support on the Sola Basic autoformer.
There are some reports that the Sola Basic doesn't switch fast enough in some situations.
If my Magnum had not been under warranty, I would have moved to Victron (and 48 volts for the bank).
So, although the 12 volt Magnum can start the roof air, I really think it is pushing the Magnum too hard. I get ground fault errors from some, but not all GFCI shore power outlets. Apparently Victron does not exhibit this behavior.
A 24 volt inverter only has to work 50% as hard as a 12 volt. In an ideal world I'd move to a 48 volt bank, with a 48 volt inverter.
Again, please remember that load support on the Magnum is NOT intended as voltage support. So, on low voltage 15 amp shore power, all the Magnum will do is blend power from the battery bank to allow the running of items which total more than 15 amps without blowing the shore power breaker. The Magnum can be "tricked" into voltage support by deliberately limiting the shore power amperage to an extremely low level, but I believe doing so may have caused my Magnum to become damaged which eventual caused it to catch on fire.
That said, I find the load support feature extremely useful, when I can use it.
ctilsie242 wrote:
This is definitely something I'm looking at doing in whatever rig I get, although Magnum Energy the way I'm leaning. I'm looking at the 3000 watt hybrid inverter, a monitor panel, a generator controller, and a battery temperature gauge. This way, if the power conks out on my rig with the A/C on, the batteries take over until they fall to 60% SoC, then the generator controller fires up the Onan. Power comes back on, the generator stays on until the batteries are at 90% SoC, genset drops offline, transfer switch flips to shore power, life goes on.
One big advantage of a hybrid inverter is that the locked rotor amps coming from the A/C are handled by the inverter and batteries. This doesn't add a strain onto the generator or anywhere upstream of the inverter, so power cords are not affected. The second big advantage is that power sags at a crowded campground are handled and are not passed onto the A/C's compressor which can burn out if it encounters too little voltage. The third is that you can have power coming in from shore power, a second vehicle alternator, generator, or solar... and still run the A/C on a combination of any or all (well, assuming the incoming power is adequate, of course.)
