Re: Inverter Question
Reply #50 –
Steve, Correct, run the wire through it, hook it up. Slick.
A killawatt meter works great to monitor the watts used by a 120 volts device. I have used a 60 and 100 watt incandescent bulb on a small inverter as a "known" load on big battery to test capacity. Kill-a-watt on the output side and a drok on the input side of the inverter. 60 watt bulbs are not always 60 watts. The idea is a steady load on a fully charged battery to see how long it takes to get to 50% SOC. A 255 amphr capacity 8D at a 20 hr discharge rate is most likely not 255 amp hrs after several years.
I have one of these clamp on DC amp meters
Amazon.com: Extech DC400 Mini 400A DC Clamp Meter: Home Improvement
It is great for checking your alternator or any other current. Check your alternator on the output cable at your isolator (away from the belts and moving parts in the engine)
If you are using a Kill-a-watt meter they can be hard to fit in where you want them. I have a couple 1 ft long extension cords to get things away from the plug.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/garden/page.aspx?p=76884&cat=2,42194,50658
I also have 6' and 15' heavy duty extension cords. Perfect for 90% of when they are needed, less stuff on the floor of the shop to trip on. A 15' in the coach is the most used one there.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=76078&cat=1,240,41065,76078
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Topic: Inverter Question