I found very cheap power meters in Big W < $20, very handy for those who want to check their power usage I.E. my 700w Microwave that actually uses 1,500w, fridge 135w etc etc.

Phil C wrote:

---

CONCLUSIONS

1. Unless you have a large bank of lithium batts, probably not a good idea to run high current devices on the inverter. 

 

---

You forget one important factor in that recommendation - TIME.

There is no drama caused by using high loads from LA batteries for short periods (either directly or via an inverter).

100A will rarely be a problem for quite some minutes from a single 100Ah LA battery and higher loads are easily delivered for shorter periods.

To establish the capability of your specific batteries, check the makers specifications.

EDIT...

A "Fullriver DC115-12A" 115Ah 12V AGM can deliver 75A for 43 minutes at 25C, or 710A for 30 seconds. 

Of more significance is your ability to replace the power you use.

 

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:55:21 AM

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:59:09 AM

Phil C wrote:

---

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

---

Phil C wrote:

---

CONCLUSIONS

1. Unless you have a large bank of lithium batts, probably not a good idea to run high current devices on the inverter. 

 

---

You forget one important factor in that recommendation - TIME.

There is no drama caused by using high loads from LA batteries for short periods (either directly or via an inverter).

100A will rarely be a problem for quite some minutes from a single 100Ah LA battery and higher loads are easily delivered for shorter periods.

To establish the capability of your specific batteries, check the makers specifications.

EDIT...

A "Fullriver DC115-12A" 115Ah 12V AGM can deliver 75A for 43 minutes at 25C, or 710A for 30 seconds. 

Of more significance is your ability to replace the power you use.

 

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:55:21 AM

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:59:09 AM

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 Cheers Peter, I must admit Im not up to date with these newer type batteries. Its forums like this that help educate old farts like me.

I took a look at LA batteries and even on ebay the 100AH comes in at over 2 grand, bit rich for my blood at the moment but the specs look unreal.

Thanks again

---

 Phil, I'm not sure what you are talking about..

If your talking about Lithium[LiFePO4y] Batteries, yes there are people that are trying to reap the cash from the Lithium Batteries.. The biggest issue is that they don't know what they have... 

- If you are serious about Lithium's you can find [12v]100Ah Battery Pack for around $700

There are 2 main suppliers of these batteries.. One on the west coast and the Other on the east coast at Townsville and no it not to expensive to get them sent down via freight..

 

So Phil...  There is the straight info on how much Li's cost...

 

Juergen

 

-- Edited by SnowT on Sunday 10th of August 2014 12:43:20 PM

03_troopy wrote:

---

Phil C wrote:

---

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

---

Phil C wrote:

---

CONCLUSIONS

1. Unless you have a large bank of lithium batts, probably not a good idea to run high current devices on the inverter. 

 

---

You forget one important factor in that recommendation - TIME.

There is no drama caused by using high loads from LA batteries for short periods (either directly or via an inverter).

100A will rarely be a problem for quite some minutes from a single 100Ah LA battery and higher loads are easily delivered for shorter periods.

To establish the capability of your specific batteries, check the makers specifications.

EDIT...

A "Fullriver DC115-12A" 115Ah 12V AGM can deliver 75A for 43 minutes at 25C, or 710A for 30 seconds. 

Of more significance is your ability to replace the power you use.

 

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:55:21 AM

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 10th of August 2014 01:59:09 AM

---

 Cheers Peter, I must admit Im not up to date with these newer type batteries. Its forums like this that help educate old farts like me.

I took a look at LA batteries and even on ebay the 100AH comes in at over 2 grand, bit rich for my blood at the moment but the specs look unreal.

Thanks again

---

 LA = Lead Acid?

---

 Yep, Phil being a dumbarse again.. meant Li.. duhhhhh

Thanks guys for showing my weaknesses.. lol

I don't know Peter..

For a person/couple that setting themselves up for the life as a Nomad..
-- Initial cost Dearer.. say $700 per 100Ah 12v..

Here is a spread sheet that I created when doing my initial costing..

Battery Sheet.

So the if you have read the spread sheet.. The initial cost of the batteries when compared to all other forms of batteries far outlasts the other batteries..

- The control gear is no more expensive as what is used for AGM's..

- the weight saving.. as you go up in voltage and Ah far surpasses LA's..

 

 

So Peter if you are setting up a New system and have the money to spare Go the Lithium's as the saving over the life of batteries is where you save Plus the weight factor..

 

Juergen

 

Peter where is the cost Per cycle Not relevant..?

-- When compared to the Other Batteries.. For the Expected Life of the Batteries Taken down to their MAX Depth of Discharge..
LYP[LiFePO4y] have a 80DoD and 3000cycles $4248.00
AGM FullRiver DC120-12B have a 50%DoD and 1500cycles $5879.68

Over the Life of either set of Batteries.. To achieve the same Cycle rate you will have spent an extra $1631 dollars and on top of that.. be Carrying an extra 210kg of weight...

When taken into comparison.. Over the expected Life of the LYP you pay more for the initial set up... But then you don't have to replace them as you would like in the case of the AGM's which would be on their second set of batteries..

- One of the Premises behind that table was what I would expect to need if I was camped in a spot and got no sun for 3day's.. that is why I wanted 240ah usable.. I expect the bus to rust around that batteries before they get replaced Due to not running them below 50% DOD..
- LYP's Charge far quicker than AGM's... None of that dreaded ""I've hit 80% charge need to Trickle in NOW"" ..
think of the fact that the LYP's will suck up as much energy as they can take till they hit FULL..


Any Excess Solar can be utilized for what ever you want to do..

Juergen

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

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With respect, your comparison is flawed.
Cost per cycle is not relevant. What is important is cost for each kWh delivered.
For a fair comparison you also need to add the cost of the money for each alternative over its lifespan.

And yes, I did agree that LiFePO have identifiable advantages, what I also said is they are not for everyone, yet.

Cheers,
Peter

---

 HI Peter

I'll go along with you  as far as costs are concerned

I also readily recognize the pros &cons,  but you are floging a dead horse too

PeterQ

Phil C wrote:

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Im still bemused why a 100AH AGM can only be used to 50% capacity.

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Urban myth.

Go back to the manufacturer's specifications and get the facts. They are all available.

 

Cheers,

Peter