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Subject Topic: Inverter issue Post Reply Post New Topic
Personscalefour
06/5/2015 at 11:15pm
 Location: Leicester
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Hi all,
I tried using a 150w inverter plugged into the clipsal 12v plug hole via a cigar lighter adapter. I tried to run a laptop off this but all I got was an audible beeping noise from the inverter. This I thought was an overload noise. I then plugged it into the cars lighter socket in the front and back of the car and it worked perfectly.
I tested the volts coming from the caravan 12v socket which was 12.40v and 14amps. The battery itself is a 4 days old 115amp halfords leisure battery.

Would the problem be the length of wiring from the 12v caravan plug to the caravan battery?

Thanks

Andi


Persontango55
06/5/2015 at 11:26pm
 Location: Lichfield
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Just because the battery is 4 days old doesn't mean that it's fully charged as it could have been standing for months without being given a re-charge therefore I would check the battery voltage first because 12.4 volts means the battery is dead. You need a fully charged battery with maximum power to operate an inverter which would be at least 12.7 volts minimum.


PersonFrancophile1947
07/5/2015 at 4:11pm
 Location: Norwich
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I could rarely get my laptop to work off a 150w inverter either.
It would work if the laptop battery was fully charged and it would maintain the fully charged state, but running the laptop and charging the battery at the same time would always be a problem

-------------
Cheers
John


PersonFrancais
07/5/2015 at 4:54pm
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Far better to use a 12v to Laptop power supply, these often have variable setting, and come with the different size connectors to suit most Laptops.

A lot cheaper to buy than an inverter and far more efficient, you just have to ensure that you have set the voltage correctly, 15, 17 upto 20v maybe depending on the Laptop.

Or better still get one that is Fixed voltage 12v upto whatever your Laptop requires, this type will often come with the correct size connector to fit your Laptop.

I have had a variable one for years, and it works a treat, but can run a little warm at times.


Personscalefour
07/5/2015 at 8:13pm
 Location: Leicester
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 06/5/2015Just because the battery is 4 days old doesn't mean that it's fully charged as it could have been standing for months without being given a re-charge therefore I would check the battery voltage first because 12.4 volts means the battery is dead. You need a fully charged battery with maximum power to operate an inverter which would be at least 12.7 volts minimum.



The battery was charged when new (just to make sure) and we have used the 12v lights for an hour. The battery is currently kicking out 12.8v.


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PersonBernie47
07/5/2015 at 10:00pm
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Quote: Originally posted by scalefour on 07/5/2015
The battery is currently kicking out 12.8v.



Is that when there is a load on the battery?

-------------
Bernie


PersonGrampian91
08/5/2015 at 2:50am
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With zero load on a battery they can show a fairly high voltage, but when a load it applied the voltage can drop drastically.

Inverters have a terrible effiency rating. Some are only 60% at best.
Lots stated not to be used for charging batteries also.

A proper DC - DC charger is the way to go. Much more efficient.


Personscalefour
08/5/2015 at 4:36pm
 Location: Leicester
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Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 07/5/2015
Quote: Originally posted by scalefour on 07/5/2015The battery is currently kicking out 12.8v.



Is that when there is a load on the battery?


No load as far as I know. Battery switch inside the van off, but with the caravan battery cables attached.


PersonGrampian91
09/5/2015 at 12:07am
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Always check the voltage with a load on the battery, A couple of 55watt headlamp bulbs will do the job nicely.

The voltage drop should be minimal, even if left connected for an hour it should stay above 12 volts.


Personfleck2
09/5/2015 at 12:53am
 Location: Derbyshire
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It could be the length of wire to the battery, and it could also be too thin which would also cause a voltage drop. To find out you'll have to measure the voltage at the battery and at the inverter and see if they are the same. Multi stranded wire is better than solid copper wire too.
Check that the socket is clean also and it's plugged in tightly.

With regard to checking a batteries state of charge you should measure the open circuit voltage after the battery has rested for at least 2 hours. A charged battery should read 12.6v.

See here for battery charge levels

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=webhp&tbm=isch&source=hp&ei=lkxNVdvxLMmXsAHgmIC4Bw&q=12+volt+battery+charge+level+chart&oq=12+volt+battery+charge+chart&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.2.0j0i8i30l3.4179.23505.0.29505.29.29.0.10.10.2.968.7120.0j1j8j6j1j0j3.19.0.msedr...0...1c.1.64.mobile-gws-hp..11.18.2278.3.FedWtMQlzQ0



Post last edited on 09/05/2015 01:10:01


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Personscalefour
09/5/2015 at 1:48pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 390 2 birth 1997 View scalefour's Profile View Profile   Reply to scalefour Reply   Quote scalefour Quote  
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There is a drop from 12.80 to 12.40 from the battery to the clipsal plug. So I am going to wire up a short lead from battery to cigar lighter and see the results.
I have also just purchased online, a 12v to laptop power supply.

Thanks for all the help

Andi



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