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RE: Voltage drop to 1200 watt inverter
So my question - Is the inverter input voltage reading accurate enough to believe the 0.3V voltage drop on the 12V input side and is that a reasonable number or should it be a 0.1V loss?
Part of the difference is due to calibration error, or lack there of. The only way to know for sure, is use a separate meter with long enough leads to measure directly form the positive terminal on the battery to the positive terminal on the inverter. The do the same for the negative connections.
Even with a full load on the inverter, I would want the voltage drop on each leg to be LESS THAN 0.1V !
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theoldwizard1
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12/10/19 07:03pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Voltage drop to 1200 watt inverter
Let's be clear: Marine batteries are NOT deep cycle batteries other than the label. A little better than starting batteries but much less than say 6V GCs.
Truth on the batteries.
The misrepresentation of those "RV/Marine" batteries by the big box stores pisses me off! WAY to many people waste their money thinking that they got a great price on deep cycle batteries.
Preaching to the choirs guys !
Four 6V golf cart batteries would have about 450 Ah of capacity. Four group 24 batteries about 320 Ah of capacity. The golf cart batteries probably would cost less.
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theoldwizard1
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12/10/19 06:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: You don't need it.
Serpentine belts seem to last FOREVER. I swapped one on my E150 over 10 years ago and threw the old one in the cubby with the jack because it still looked good. Buy quality : OEM, Dayco or Gates.
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theoldwizard1
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12/09/19 03:22pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Yamaha Generator question
That generator is rated at 1600W continuous. That is about 13A @ 120VAC. That microwave is probably pushing the capacity of that generator.
The EF2400iSHC would be much better at that task.
IMHO, all of the "one hand luggable" generators are "missing the mark" The should be 2800W/2400W (true 20A continuous) output. The Westinghouse iGen 2500 is the closest.
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theoldwizard1
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12/09/19 03:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Portable Generator Insurance?
What ever you choose, get it in writing ! Make sure the person is in a position of "authority" to make that statement (not likely a local agent).
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theoldwizard1
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12/09/19 02:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbie here. Maybe wrong forum but here goes.
Just today the idea of renting one for a week prior to decision might be wise.
ABSOLUTELY ! I think your biggest issue is finding a B+/C that is not "too big" that has adequate bathroom/shower space and water for more than 1 or 2 days "off grid". Most are really designed to be "hooked" up".
Smaller size B+/C are built on the Mercedes or Ford transit chassis.
Don't be afraid of "all electric" (no propane). I, for one, would enjoy a AC/DC powered compressor refrigerator. As long as it has 2 batteries AND solar AND you are not planning on cool weather camping, it is not a problem.
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theoldwizard1
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12/08/19 10:15am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Generator handling?
If you are NOT running an A/C then a 2000W generator is plenty. Even it you are running an A/C a pair of 2000W generators are much lighter (individually) and easier to move and store.
The problem is, I have not seen a duel fuel 2000W-2500W inverter generator which can run in parallel. Several after market kit to convert, but now the costs are getting very high.
Many people have reported that you can start and run even a 15,000 BTU A/C (with a soft start kit) on a Westinghouse iGen2500, but that is gasoline only.
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theoldwizard1
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12/05/19 07:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: exchanging propane cylinder that came with TT
Don't rule out operator error yet. I would go to a commercial propane dealer and see if the fill works.
Great advice! Don't rely on your local service station clerk to fill your tank and assume they have been trained!!
Times 3 !
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theoldwizard1
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12/05/19 06:58pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: exchanging propane cylinder that came with TT
Are any of the exchanges still a proprietary fill that needs a special key?
I have never seen a propane tank that required a "special key" to refill.
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theoldwizard1
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12/05/19 06:56pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What is this make?
Fixed Link
Better yest
https://scontent.fyip1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/78624612_1672986489505151_7718124014085865472_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ohc=8bUN_jA6GvwAQklUcWUpTLMvhlj-PaGS2GVNDmQ3BLyRYy3r4W6w1hxgQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fyip1-1.fna&oh=f72f0d147a199d4b2d367215de0a242b&oe=5E8343FF width=640
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theoldwizard1
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12/05/19 06:53pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Charging trailer battery while towing and smart charging
I run a 2 gauge dedicated run between my truck and trailer and use Anderson connectors for the link at the receiver.
How about some "real world" feed back !
Next time you are hitched up, check the battery voltage at the truck battery and then the battery voltage at the trailer battery.
For best results for this test, the trailer battery should be at least 10% discharged.
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theoldwizard1
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12/04/19 05:27pm |
Towing
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RE: Charging trailer battery while towing and smart charging
Start by running a heavy dedicated charge line between the truck and trailer. It will help in trickle and maintenance charging. If you want more, later you can add a DC to DC charger off this new run line.
The wire that is currently there (probably about 12 AWG) is adequate. It is not worth the cost and labor to try and install a heavier wire.
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theoldwizard1
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12/04/19 12:38pm |
Towing
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RE: Charging trailer battery while towing and smart charging
The point of the DC-DC converter (charger) is such that you can ignore the voltage gyrations of the alternator and any voltage drop in the wire and get proper charging voltage on the trailer battery. You no longer care what the vehicle is doing or how it works.
DING DING DING ! We have a winner !
Add in, most DC-DC battery chargers also do a "proper" 3 stage charge on the house battery.
Or put another way, even though the trailer battery is needing a strong charge, the alternator is only putting out enough to float charge?
Basically, yes.
The house battery would charge but at that rate it might take more than 24 hours.
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theoldwizard1
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12/04/19 12:33pm |
Towing
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RE: More Genny wars
You can get the 3200w Firman inverter generator at Costco, for $100 cheaper.
That weights too much for me to easily load in the back of a pickup truck.
"What the RV world needs ..." is a 2800/2400 inverter generator that weighs about 50 lbs and has a run time of at least 8 hours at half load.
The closest one to that is the Westinghouse iGen 2500
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theoldwizard1
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12/02/19 07:24pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 2 12v batteries---Mallard TT help
1) Getting a charge to the house battery from the tow vehicle while traveling. I use a 99 Suburban. ... Or hardwire it from the pigtail connection at the trailer and Suburban.
I have run a charge wire from the front of my 1996 Suburban to the rear. The wire was already there from the factory, I just had to hook it up. And I have checked many times and it does recharge the batteries from 50% charge to full in the two hours it takes me to drive home from the desert.
OpenSpaces write up is pretty good regarding charging from a 12V power on a 7 pin connector, but you may or may not run into a problem.
Some time around 2000-2005 ALL cras and light trucks start using "smart charging systems". Various manufacturers do it differently and even the same manufacturer have made changes since they first started. These smart charging system put out the MINIMUM voltage to keep the starting battery charged, typically between 13.2V and 13.8V (about 2-5 minutes after the engine has started). This is NOT ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO CHARGE A HOUSE LEAD ACID BATTERY BANK ! Installing heavier wire will NOT improve this !!
What you need is a DC-DC battery charger. Renogy, Redarc and Ctek all make them. They actually boost the available voltage on 12V power pin in order to properly charge the house batteries.
2) Issue two that I need to solve is installing two 12v batteries rather than one at the outside front of the Mallard. I am thinking, if I got this right, that I can put two 12v batteries behind the propane tanks.
You would be much better off with TWO 6V golf cart batteries. They will give you more power, last longer and probably cost less.
NOCO does make a plastic battery box that will hold two 6V golf cart batteries, but it needs support rail underneath where it is mounted.
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theoldwizard1
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11/29/19 07:57pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Will solid state batteries change the world?
Ford just introduced their new all electric Mustang with up to 459 HP, depending on model. And a range up to 300 miles on current battery technology. Obviously these manufacturers feel a battery breakthrough is imminent.
You are putting WAY TOO MUCH into this EV announcement.
What it means is that Ford believes there is sufficient demand (people with $$$)and the CURRENT technology is adequate to mass produce an EV.
No big company "bets their business" on "an invention will happen soon" !
BTW, within the past 2 years Ford launched a new full size SUV (Expedition), a new truck (Ranger) and a new mid-sized SUV (Explorer). They will launch a new rugged SUV next year (Bronco). Only the Explorer is available as a Hybrid.
Ford still is heavily "hedging their bets" on EV with a lot of old fashioned gasoline vehicles.
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theoldwizard1
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11/18/19 07:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Super duper plug in code scanner w. WiFi?
The "pro" level scanner do come with bluetooth dongles, but all of them seem to use a tablet size display unit, some smaller, some larger.
The pro ones require a subscription service for constant updates. This cost at least $100/mo.
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theoldwizard1
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11/18/19 09:42am |
Tech Issues
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RE: first report new springs with a surprize result
My E150 started sagging at about 5-7 years, especially when I hooked up my pop up to it (NO WDH). Added a leaf, What a difference ! It does sit a bit high when empty, but I would rather have that.
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theoldwizard1
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11/16/19 03:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Serpentine Belt
Gates or Dayco. Save the old one as an emergency backup.
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theoldwizard1
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11/16/19 03:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery Monitors
A "shunt" is a device that is used to measure how much electricity flows through it, so it can measure the amount of electricity flowing "into" a battery bank or "out of" a battery bank. It is typically mounted very near the battery. Some are connected on the positive side of the battery and some on the negative, it depends on the meter. Any decent meter will ship WITH a shunt and instructions on where to install it.
The Victron BMV-700 is nice.
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theoldwizard1
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11/16/19 02:57pm |
Tech Issues
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