Community Forums

Jprince39 · 02-19-2013, 06:05 AM

Why is it when you are running your Genny that the inverter seems to start draining your batteries? Should I turn the inverter off when running the Genny?

Gorlininc · 02-19-2013, 06:08 AM

It shouldn't drain your batteries. As far as your electrical system, you are feeding it 110v, same as shore power.

Libero · 02-19-2013, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jprince39

Why is it when you are running your Genny that the inverter seems to start draining your batteries? Should I turn the inverter off when running the Genny?

How did you determine the batteries are "draining" when the genny is on?

Batteries should be charging when the genny is on. Check the battery voltage with the gen off and with it on.

What is the make and model number of your Inverter?

Redridge · 02-19-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libero

How did you determine the batteries are "draining" when the genny is on?

Batteries should be charging when the genny is on. Check the battery voltage with the gen off and with it on.

What is the make and model number of your Inverter?

+1, genny is the same as if on shore power. It should not load up the batteries.

beenthere · 02-19-2013, 08:33 AM

maybe he has the invertor charger turned off? but it would still not draing the batt's

Jprince39 · 02-19-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libero

How did you determine the batteries are "draining" when the genny is on?

Batteries should be charging when the genny is on. Check the battery voltage with the gen off and with it on.

What is the make and model number of your Inverter?

In the inverter window when running Genny batteries state 100% after running Genny for about an hour inverter show 90% for batteries, am I reading it wrong?

Libero · 02-19-2013, 12:56 PM

I don't know what that reading means. What is the charger/inverter make and model number?

It could mean charging rate?? This would imply the battery is being charged so the charge rate is reduced with an increase in battery resistance.

If you have a voltmeter, check the battery voltage with the gen on and then with it off. It should be higher with the gen on. If this is the case. then the battery must be charging.

Redridge · 02-19-2013, 02:01 PM

How old are the batteries and what type? Is it topped off with water? Could be a battery issue not holding a charge...

Libero · 02-19-2013, 02:17 PM

The OP thought the battery was being discharged with the gen on based on the meter on the charger being 100% at first and then decreasing to 90% after the gen was on for an undisclosed period.

I suspect the reading on the charger is rate of charge, and whem the genny is on for a while the rate of charge decreases as it should.

If the shore or gen power is left on for several hours the charger should go into a float state with no charge if the battery is OK.

Jprince39 · 02-20-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libero

How did you determine the batteries are "draining" when the genny is on?

Batteries should be charging when the genny is on. Check the battery voltage with the gen off and with it on.

What is the make and model number of your Inverter?

Xantrex RC7

papaw.1 · 02-20-2013, 07:21 PM

Like libero stated.Good Luck and Many Safe and Happy Miles and Smiles.

Libero · 02-20-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jprince39

Xantrex RC7

Thanks.

The RC-7 is a remote monitor and control unit which is usually located at a convenient location inside the coach. The inverter charger unit will be in a lower bay very close to the batteries. The figures you see are indeed the charge rate. So when the rate goes from 100% to 90% etc the battery is charging. If you leave the genny in long enough, or go on shore power, that number should continue to go down until you reach the "float" stage, meaning the battery is charged.

It is always a good idea to have the batteries load tested. This is a special tester that puts a high current low resistance load for a brief period to determine the capability of the battery to sustain a discharge. I have one of these testers and have used it many times. Battery shops and most repair places have them. Always a good idea to have batteries tested.

It is very important that you monitor the battery electrolite levels. If the plates are not immersed in electrolite they will will be damaged. So ensure you add distilled water to the batteries if they the type that you can fill. These would be flooded lead acid batteries. Good idea to test each battery cell with a hydrometer also. This will give you an idea of the charge per cell.

The other battery type would be AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). There is no maintenance to these except ensuring all connections are clean as one must do on all batteries.

Bottem line: Your converter is working because the number has gone down and it should continue to go down as the batteries charge further.

Good luck and I suggest you keep a a very close eye on the batteries, keep the electrolite up and everything clean, including taking the connections off and buffed off,

Hope I was helpfull.