Recent content by theoldwizard1

After watching Will, I am ready to build my own battery pack ! I want at least 100Ah @ 12v (nominal). I don't have time to wait for delivery from China, so please recommend a US distributor of Grade A cells.

Is the Phoenix model just called the Victron VE now ?

The title says it all. I don't have specific (try to find current draw for any refrigerator online) but the model I am looking at is a Frigidaire EFR751. My SWAG is running power is between 50W-100W. Of course the issue is STARTING current requirements. In THEORY, a 1000W inverter should be...

The referenced 12V-24V step up converter will NEVER create sufficient voltage to FULLY charge any type of 24V battery bank. Simple lead-acid batteries need AT LEAST 26.4V (closer to 28V) to charge. LiFePO4 require about 29V. These really need a "smart" charger to fully either type of battery...

Some DC-DC charger are have "isolated grounds". Most inverters also have "isolated grounds" (neutral NOT connected to ground). You need to validate this. If you keep the grounds "isolated" from each other AND from the 120VAC neutral, you will not have a problem. For extra safety, I would...

Sorry for the late post. If your DC-DC charger is capable of outputting 40A at up to 15V (rounding up) that is 600 watts. If it is 80% efficient (low estimate) it needs aboyt 750 watts of input power. Most modern vehicle reduce the charging voltage suppled to the vehicle battery down to about...

Where did you find that spec or am I just reading the spec sheet wrong ?

That is all I want to do. Related ... what size is you battery bank (KWh) and how long does it take to recharge, when below 25%, with your generator ?

What is the MINIMUM size generator I need to to use with this inverter/charger. Yes, I know, that smaller generators will take longer.

I just watched a video about installing an Anker SOLIX system. They sure made it look easy, but it is a pre-packaged hybrid system (add you own panels). The questioning would you save a lot of $$$ buying individual pieces and assembling it or is this the best way to go ! I know the savingof...

If the cigarette lighter is on the dash, it is getting probably getting power from the starting battery. Depending on the vehicle, some cigarette lighter outlet may or MAY NOT be power when the vehicle is OFF.

I find myself in the same boat as the OP ! Small engine lead acid batteries never last more than a few years. A 12V LiFePO4 battery pack would last much longer. Most small engine charging systems have little or NO regulation so the voltage can be 10V-18V. Clearly some regulation/charging...

Because it is safe, easy and it works !

No experience, but it would still be very expensive and you would require at least one custom transformer. If the power requirements were about 15A so you could use 14AWG UF-B wire it MIGHT be cost effective. Having an inverter that you could adjust the output voltage UP 10% - 20% would be...

Those specs on that charger do NOT make sense ! The short answer is, you can not do it with a "typical" USB adapter. The simplest solution, done by most "road warriors" is buy a 120V pure sine wave inverter, around 500W. A DIY setup could be done (more efficient) but it would require a direct...