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Operations with 2nd Inverter

February 25, 2018, 07:49:52 pm

Just installed a Victron Phoenix PSI (800VA) adjacent to house batteries and ran 120 up to a 4plex outlet behind the TV above the driver along with an on/off switch wire so we could control the inverter from there.

Idea was that we'd leave tv, computer, sat dish, etc connected to the big inverter via regular coach wiring when hooked up to shore power and simply unplug from coach and into fourplex to power these devices when boon docking.

Question is could we simply leave these devices connected to the small inverter all the time and leave the big inverter off unless using other plugs in the coach or big draws like the microwave?

I assume the solar would keeps the house bank replenished in appropriate conditions and the coach charging system would keep house batteries charged when driving or hooked to shore power.

House batteries have Victron BMS700 keeping an eye on them.

Any downside to this plan?

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #1 – February 25, 2018, 09:59:11 pm

I have a separate inverter for the entertainment ctr, and changing devices. We leave it on all the time no problem.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #2 – February 25, 2018, 10:17:24 pm

Randy, I have one 800w PSW with a DPDTCO switch for the entertainment system and another for our residentual fridge. Works fine.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #3 – February 25, 2018, 11:01:52 pm

Randy, it is what I am doing.  Mine is on all the time. Wiith sufficient solar to recharge the batteries you should be good to go.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #4 – February 25, 2018, 11:42:53 pm

300 watt, runs both sat systems. I leave it on all the time with solar. No worries

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #5 – February 26, 2018, 07:12:39 am

As long as your watt-hour calculations work out, you'll be fine. This becomes important when you boondock and it's dark and cold.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #6 – February 26, 2018, 08:35:32 am

A modern led tv and a sat receiver should not draw more than 80 watts running, and less than 20 on standby. Do not know about the Victron inverter, but believe it is fairly efficient.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #7 – February 26, 2018, 09:25:41 am

Here's the spec on 800 VA inverter.  I'm confident it's more than adequate for our overhead electronics and phone/pad chargers.

My curiosity in posting was whether the inverter wired to the house batteries, independent of the main inverter/charger and solar charge controller would somehow compromise the charging algorithm. I guess these charging devices will simply see this second inverter as just another load?

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #8 – February 26, 2018, 11:28:55 am

The charger will just pump more amps out. Some will make it to the batteries, some will go directly into the inverter for your load, dependig on how many amps youre drawing or producing on the charge side. It wont hurt or harm anything.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #9 – February 26, 2018, 11:49:49 am

Yep it is seen as just another load.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #10 – February 26, 2018, 11:58:22 am

Chargers whether solar or otherwise normally only adjust charge voltage and amperage by condition of battery, nothing else.

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Re: Operations with 2nd Inverter

Reply #11 – February 26, 2018, 02:20:42 pm

THANKS TO ALL!

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