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Topic: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries (Read 1168 times) previous topic - next topic

Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

We usually only stay where we can plug in, but we have had to boondock occasionally.  Last night was one of those cases.  We arrived at Davis-Monthan FamCamp and were put into overflow until today.  We had our batteries load tested in Nac in Oct and added a new one, so we have three 8D house batteries.  Our heart interface was showing a -1 when we stopped last night, although we have been plugged in each night. 

We ran the generator until bedtime - about 9:30 p.m., then turned on the inverter as Jeff has a C-PAP machine which has to run during the night.  It was also quite cold, but we turned off the front furnace, closed the door, and only kept the bedroom and bath on at 60 degrees.  About 4 a.m., the inverter shut off, and the heart interface was showing -50 amp hours.  We then turned on the generator.  We did forget to turn off the boost switch until the inverter shut off.  It seems that our batteries should last longer than that with the inverter.  What are we doing wrong, or what do we need to check?

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #1 –
Did you check that voltage at shut off? If so, what was it?

We have three 8Ds. Our Heart monitor is calibrated to show a total of 580 AH. I think I ran it beyond -200 when I tested to see if our autostart would work. (It didn't!) I don't recall if the inverter was on during that test.

We have run overnight with inverter. It was not cold, but neither did we take steps toward conservation. I think you should be able to run overnight. Perhaps the experienced boondockers can give you better information when they get within Internet range.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #2 –
Same here.  But our 3 8D's total to 565ah if I recall aright.
 
But I spend more time looking at "Hours."  That means at the present load the battery capacity will be 100% exhausted in 20 hours, for example.  We should never do that of course. So 20 hours also tells me that in 10 hours at the current load the batteries will be at 50%.  I never even go that far down if I can a avoid it.
 
The autostart might start at 50%. You might not have been low enough.
___

best, paul
 
 
Quote
We have three 8Ds. Our Heart monitor is calibrated to show a total of 580 AH. I think I ran it beyond -200 when I tested to see if our autostart would work. (It didn't!) I don't recall if the inverter was on during that test.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #3 –
I wonder what auto-start system your using for the battery test, Reason, I have the DynaGen autostart module, have calibrated it and it work great, start at 12.2 VDC and runs for 3 hours.  Not an easy fun thing to do, it is very touchy, but now I feel comfy with it.
Never seems to have an issue with any of the systems surrounding the Charger/inverter/Batteries.
FWIW

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #4 –
We don't have an auto start system.  If the batteries go down, and I'm awake to notice it, I manually start the genset.  Hopefully, next Fall we'll get MoT to install a genset auto start system.  In the meantime, we still don't seem to make it through a boondocking night with our relatively good lead/acid batteries (somewhat long story on why we don't have AGM's).  If anyone has any more suggestions on the original info, we will welcome them.

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Two Hams in a Can –
We don't have an auto start system.  If the batteries go down, and I'm awake to notice it, I manually start the genset.  Hopefully, next Fall we'll get MoT to install a genset auto start system.  In the meantime, we still don't seem to make it through a boondocking night with our relatively good lead/acid batteries (somewhat long story on why we don't have AGM's).  If anyone has any more suggestions on the original info, we will welcome them.

Jeff,
I was having the same issue with not making it thru the night on my batteries.
I have an in motion satellite dish, Tivo & my cpap that needs to work at night.
I found the inverter was using a lot of power during the night even in standby.
I added an 800 watt inverter under the bed for just that circuit & now I shut off my Prosine at night.
This inverter draws very little and has made a big difference in making it thru the night.
Here is how I did it after seeing it in Dick Masons coach and getting some advice from him.

Additional Inverter
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #6 –
Again, the key question is your battery voltage.  Without autostart, you should be turning on the generator at 12.2v.  Have you set your invertor correctly for the amp-hour capacity of your batteries?
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #7 –
One little thought, in my setup, I  found the large Sony upfront LCD type draws a lot more current than the small 19" VISO in bedroom.  Point is-running the SONY all night, the batteries drop and the
 auto start goes for it.  With only the VISO on all night,  including the Aqua HOt system, I can make  coffee and do my micro wave breakfast.  then I start the generator manually, let run for a while before I start the Cummins.  Normally I start the generator when I get up, but have tested the low voltage sensing auto-start.
Works for me.
Barry is so correct about the draw (Current) of little things such as the satellite dish, why I park it so it does not keep searching all night.
Lots of little things draw current, not much but add it all up and the batteries go down, maybe sooner than you think.

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #8 –
Thanks guys. . .it looks like I don't have any more of a battery/inverter problem than the rest of us.  I have a 12 volt outlet next to my bed that I used once and blew a well hidden fuse; but, MoT discovered it was a 1 amp (?) circuit installed by the previous owner. . .why only 1 amp one can only guess.  I am going to try to rewire it with a larger gauge wire/fuse setup to handle my CPAP; then we can do without the inverter during the night.

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #9 –
Glad you found a solution.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Heart Interface, Inverter and Batteries

Reply #10 –
What exactly do you have for batteries?  8D Flooded?  Trojan?
What instrumentation do you have existing to easily monitor the battery voltage of both battery sets?
We use the following: Blue LCD Volt Meter DC 7V-30V for 12V 24V Power Supply - eBay (item 370472377073
You will find that if your batteries are low and you attempt to charge them with your diesel generator it is a frustrating experience. As the batteries become 80% charged or so, the amount of charging current drops quite dramatically and the final charge to the batteries seems to take forever so, people shut off the diesel before the batteries are charged to a float status.  Due to this the capacity is reduced quite a bit and it doesn't take long for the voltage to drop down below 12.6 or lower.  Purchasing a Yamaha EF2400i or a Honda 3000 portable generator will cure your problem easily and provide a lot better economy than the diesel.  Using the small generator with its quietness and frugal fuel requirements will allow you to run it a lot longer and get the batteries fully charged.
If you are using flooded batteries, when was the last time you "equalized" them.  If you haven't, they most likely need it done ASAP. 
You might consider installing a good solar system which would serve you well when boondocking or dry camping and keep everything charged up as it ought to be, all the time.
Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
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