Two Deep cycle batteries and inverter

[Seanhillson]

I have two deep cycle batteries that I will be mounting in the canopy of my 2004 GMC Sierra. I want to run a 1500 watt inverter off both batteries and I was looking for some advice. Is there a good way to have both batteries connected to the inverter or should I just transfer over power from the first to the second when I am beginning to run low. Also, I will add fuses on both wires. Do I need anything else in-line or will a single fuse be enough?

Thanks
Sean


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[mep1811]

Wire up the batteries in parallel then to the inverter. You might want to add a volt meter to monitor the battery power. How are you planning to charge them ?

 

[86scotty]

Wire up the batteries in parallel then to the inverter. You might want to add a volt meter to monitor the battery power. How are you planning to charge them ?

I'm curious too. Also, what are you planning to run with this inverter? If you are running anything close to 1500 watts that inverter is not going to run off 1,2 or 5 batteries for very long without support. I recommend tying this system to your chassis (truck) battery with an isolator. Then you can charge the batteries while you drive and idle the truck when you're going to use your inverter near capacity or for more than a minute or two.

 

[Seanhillson]

I'm curious too. Also, what are you planning to run with this inverter? If you are running anything close to 1500 watts that inverter is not going to run off 1,2 or 5 batteries for very long without support. I recommend tying this system to your chassis (truck) battery with an isolator. Then you can charge the batteries while you drive and idle the truck when you're going to use your inverter near capacity or for more than a minute or two.

I was thinking to just use a trickle charger when I have power. I already own these deep cycles and inverter from other equipment and was hoping to keep cost down for just a cheap power solution from what I previously owned.Does this make sense at all or will I loose charge far too quickly on the batteries for this to make sense? I have thought about wiring these batteries into my starter battery and using an isolator to recharge but I thought I could get away for shorter trips with just the batteries and using a trickle charger while I am able to use power.


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[john61ct]

Multiple batteries permanently connected can be called a "bank", but really it becomes just one bigger battery.

Each of the units you buy, if they are a voltage higher than 3V, are already made up of multiple cells.

TIL the word "battery" was coined by Ben Franklin, along with "current", charge, conductor, plus / positive, minus / negative, and condenser

 

[86scotty]

I was thinking to just use a trickle charger when I have power. I already own these deep cycles and inverter from other equipment and was hoping to keep cost down for just a cheap power solution from what I previously owned.Does this make sense at all or will I loose charge far too quickly on the batteries for this to make sense? I have thought about wiring these batteries into my starter battery and using an isolator to recharge but I thought I could get away for shorter trips with just the batteries and using a trickle charger while I am able to use power.


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If you already have the batteries and inverter there is no need to even mount it on your vehicle to try this out. Just hook up the inverter to your batteries in your garage or whatever and see how it runs whatever you're needing to run, and for how long.

....but....having the expensive parts of the system already is all the more reason to buy an isolator and proper wiring (total cost maybe $100) and take it from marginal to amazing.

 

[4x4tripping]

....but....having the expensive parts of the system already is all the more reason to buy an isolator and proper wiring (total cost maybe $100) and take it from marginal to amazing.

True.

Check what power is coming (from the alternator) in the rear with the propper wiring - maybe better B2B Charger (booster) than Isolator?

Surfy

 

[86scotty]

Yep, by isolator I was being very general. There are lots of good choices for this kind of thing these days. I'm personally a fan of the good old +/-$75 Blue Sea 7610 with properly sized wiring and quality (not Chinese Ebay/Amazon) DC breakers instead of fuses. I've put this system in many rigs for myself and others and it works awesome. I should probably read up on what's better these days but the system I speak of is cheap. It's even better paired with 100-200 watts of Renogy panels and a decent mppt controller.

 

[Seanhillson]

If you already have the batteries and inverter there is no need to even mount it on your vehicle to try this out. Just hook up the inverter to your batteries in your garage or whatever and see how it runs whatever you're needing to run, and for how long.

....but....having the expensive parts of the system already is all the more reason to buy an isolator and proper wiring (total cost maybe $100) and take it from marginal to amazing.

That’s true... running a low gauge wire from my starting battery with in-line breakers and an isolator wouldn’t be overly difficult.

What gauge of wire do you suggest, and what dc breakers have you had good experience with (or heard good things about)?


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[big_willy_wanderer]

Dc to Dc charger for the win. Redarc BCDC1225. Isolation, different battery types, 2nd battery charged to 100% amd it cam be a deep cycle

 

[Seanhillson]

Dc to Dc charger for the win. Redarc BCDC1225. Isolation, different battery types, 2nd battery charged to 100% amd it cam be a deep cycle

I love what redarc is doing, just feel like I have to spend a fortune on any of their products. You get what you pay for I guess...


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[Hilldweller]

Yep, by isolator I was being very general. There are lots of good choices for this kind of thing these days. I'm personally a fan of the good old +/-$75 Blue Sea 7610 with properly sized wiring and quality (not Chinese Ebay/Amazon) DC breakers instead of fuses. I've put this system in many rigs for myself and others and it works awesome. I should probably read up on what's better these days but the system I speak of is cheap. It's even better paired with 100-200 watts of Renogy panels and a decent mppt controller.

My Renogy 100 watt suitcase can't keep my two batteries up with just a fridge and lights.
Go for the 200 watt: https://www.renogy.com/200-watt-eclipse-monocrystalline-solar-suitcase/

 

[john61ct]

"just" a fridge?

in a small system (under say 400Ah, 800W panels)

that little fridge is usually **by far** the biggest consumer.

Even 200W panels may not be enough in many contexts.

Frequent driving or a genset of course compensates, go to "mostly solar" rather than only solar.

 

[Hilldweller]

"just" a fridge?

in a small system (under say 400Ah, 800W panels)

that little fridge is usually **by far** the biggest consumer.

Even 200W panels may not be enough in many contexts.

Frequent driving or a genset of course compensates, go to "mostly solar" rather than only solar.

...works great in the winter...

 

[john61ct]

Who was the comedian had the routine about

the butter warmer compartment

inside a cold fridge

inside a heated home

where the outdoor temperature was just perfect?