Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Inverter drain off (Even if unused, the inverter puts a drain on the battery, true or false?)
| Inverter drain off [message #100855] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 09:38  |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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I seem to have come up with an interesting bit of info.
I was going to install an inverter for the laptop. My original plan was to hardwire it to the fuse box so it would be ready.
It is a 500 watt electronic inverter with a digital screen and the flat soft digital button that goes through DC volts, AC amps, AC volts.
But I find even in the "OFF" postition, this inverter is using power, a trickle at best but still putting a small drain on the battery.
Anyone have the same observations???
I will either have to install a switch to open the DC supply or pull the fuse....
Just my observation.
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100858 is a reply to message #100855] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 09:49  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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Sort of a solution. Use Anderson Power poles to make the "permanent" connection. Then, when you are not using the coach, and wish to stop the power drain just unplug the power poles. Power poles easily handle up to 45 amps, and can be purchased for higher power levels. I have a pair that will handle about 100 Amps (came from a battery charger system).
The Anderson Power Poles are very commonly used in the Amateur Radio Community, especially in emergency operations. Ask a ham.
And, yes, the slow drain will flat line your battery. I use a small solar panel, plugged into the 12v socket on the dash to keep my batteries "hot". Works very well.
Tom Phipps, KA4CSG
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100872 is a reply to message #100855] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 12:47 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| Larry C wrote on Fri, 24 September 2010 07:38 |
I seem to have come up with an interesting bit of info.
I was going to install an inverter for the laptop. My original plan was to hardwire it to the fuse box so it would be ready.
It is a 500 watt electronic inverter with a digital screen and the flat soft digital button that goes through DC volts, AC amps, AC volts.
But I find even in the "OFF" postition, this inverter is using power, a trickle at best but still putting a small drain on the battery.
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Sounds like a Xantrex inverter with the soft touch buttons. I have one but have not measured the draw when Off. I will do it later and report back. Most equipment these days with non mechanical power switching does take some power all the time, but never thought about the inverter doing it. Of course, if you leave it on there will be drain for just the idle power, and the display power. Those, on recently made modified sine wave inverters, generally amount to 60 to 120 mA. For true sine wave inverters, the number is higher, in the range of 200 to 500 mA and up.
As someone else said, any long term drain will kill your batteries if there is no recaharge, so over weeks or months, you want to have no load at all.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100877 is a reply to message #100855] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 13:07 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| Larry C wrote on Fri, 24 September 2010 10:38 |
I seem to have come up with an interesting bit of info.
I was going to install an inverter for the laptop. My original plan was to hardwire it to the fuse box so it would be ready.
It is a 500 watt electronic inverter with a digital screen and the flat soft digital button that goes through DC volts, AC amps, AC volts.
But I find even in the "OFF" postition, this inverter is using power, a trickle at best but still putting a small drain on the battery.
Anyone have the same observations???
I will either have to install a switch to open the DC supply or pull the fuse....
Just my observation.
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Larry,
I deal with this all the time in marine installations. Usually the standby drain (not idle) is in the order of a few milliamperes, about the same that a digital radio shows when off. A stupid small solar charger could meet this load even in Washington or Michigan (or other sun-free zone).
I have to drive now.
In a couple more hours, we will be moored alongside in DuQuoin and I will fill in more then.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Inverter drain off [message #100909 is a reply to message #100864] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 20:01 |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
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[quote title=Mr ERFisher wrote on Fri, 24 September 2010 08:40]also the idle current is a problem
Gene
Gene, Not sure what you mean.
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100915 is a reply to message #100855] |
Fri, 24 September 2010 21:31 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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I'm Baack!!!
It took more than a couple hours to get situated here at DuQuoin.
Now to the subject of inverters, there are three issues.
Maximum load current (approximately 10* the 120V current) - what you have to size the wire to accommodate.
The idle current - what it draws when nobody is using it but is is supplying 120VAC at the output.
Standby current - what it draws when it is supposed to be "off" but it is waiting for you turn turn it on.
I take it you are concerned by the standby drain - with good reason.
Let's set some definitions just to be clear.
The first can be pretty much calculated - close enough for horseshoes.
The second the manufacturer may specify and is probably wrong by half. This should be measured, but that is not a real big issue. Typically, this is in the region or 1% of the full load current, but do not count on that number.
The third is rarely specified and has to be measured. As I said earlier, this is not often a big number. If you are going to leave the coach unpowered and unattended for extended periods, it may be an issue - but so will the new radio/CD player.
Until these values are known, there is very little that can be done. Sop - Get one, save the paperwork, get the measurements done and, if you don't like the numbers, take it back.
That is about all you can do.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100968 is a reply to message #100855] |
Sat, 25 September 2010 13:22 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| Larry C wrote on Fri, 24 September 2010 07:38 |
I seem to have come up with an interesting bit of info.
I was going to install an inverter for the laptop. My original plan was to hardwire it to the fuse box so it would be ready.
It is a 500 watt electronic inverter with a digital screen and the flat soft digital button that goes through DC volts, AC amps, AC volts.
But I find even in the "OFF" postition, this inverter is using power, a trickle at best but still putting a small drain on the battery.
Anyone have the same observations???
I will either have to install a switch to open the DC supply or pull the fuse....
Just my observation.
|
I just got my equipment out to measure the "totally off" but connected current for my Xantrex 400 watt soft touch control inverter. It measured .5 mA, a very very tiny current draw. The "on" but no load current measures 220 mA, that is two tenths of an amp. This is not a lot, but over weeks will add up and kill a battery.
So, I conclude you are in no danger if you leave the inverter I have connected but off. Half a milliamp is not anything to be concerned about, just don't leave the inverter running with it's lighted digital numbers showing.
My meter is a high quality Fluke, so I trust the numbers. Hope the information helps.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Inverter drain off [message #100985 is a reply to message #100968] |
Sat, 25 September 2010 16:55 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I just got my equipment out to measure the "totally off" but connected current for my Xantrex 400 watt soft touch control inverter. It measured .5 mA, a very very tiny current draw. The "on" but no load current measures 220 mA, that is two tenths of an amp. This is not a lot, but over weeks will add up and kill a battery.
_________________________________________________-
Thanks for that
I had connected the inverter then as I was touching the plug I saw ( and heard ) a snap and small spark. The inverter is off mode, no display. I removed the wire for a few seconds and touched it again and another snap and spark...... Maybe it is loading up a capacitor for the electronics.
Thats good to know and I will disconnect it when storing.....
But I thought I would bring it to light anyway...
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Inverter drain off [message #100986 is a reply to message #100969] |
Sat, 25 September 2010 17:00 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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How about installing a switch
_________________________________-
Yes.
Well, I thought the inverter with a soft touch electronic switch would be off ( no power ) in off mode. But It makes sense that it needs power to operate the switch electronically .... ( what was I thinking )
During storage if you don't plug in to shore power to keep bats usp, or have Solar to keep the bats up, be a good idea to disconnect the power drain, slight as it might be....
Now on to a computer with a problem,
thanks again for the comments.
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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