Charging battery while travelling

[dream4red]

Congratulations gents! This is an electrical thread and it has been educational and a pleasure to read. Nobody has called anyone else names or generally run insults, it has been so lovely to read and learn.
There must be a reason why I prefer to visit here, than in another place that we wont mention, where the very mention of this sort of question can lead to many insults and locked threads. Well done!

[crockitt]

I have fitted the 20 amp charger in our van and it works perfectly on mains voltage but is useless when switched to inverter It is probably fairer to say the 600 watt supercheap inverter is letting the side down The charger fan is running but it gives acrazy amp reading of -28 amps and on mains voltage + 8amps and then went to float. I feel that the inverter may not be big enough. Is there any way for me to check the inverter out put it runs my cpap machine and TV ok but this may not be near the same demand as the charger. Dave

[Dot]

Congratulations gents! This is an electrical thread and it has been educational and a pleasure to read. Nobody has called anyone else names or generally run insults, it has been so lovely to read and learn.
There must be a reason why I prefer to visit here, than in another place that we wont mention, where the very mention of this sort of question can lead to many insults and locked threads. Well done!

I don't read many of the tech threads because I don't understand most of the lingo but I came across this post from Deborah and it was a pleasure to read what she has said about you boys being well behaved and I am so proud of you all as well. Also thanks to Deborah for her kind words about this happy place

[T1 Terry]

I have fitted the 20 amp charger in our van and it works perfectly on mains voltage but is useless when switched to inverter It is probably fairer to say the 600 watt supercheap inverter is letting the side down The charger fan is running but it gives acrazy amp reading of -28 amps and on mains voltage + 8amps and then went to float. I feel that the inverter may not be big enough. Is there any way for me to check the inverter out put it runs my cpap machine and TV ok but this may not be near the same demand as the charger. Dave

is the inverter pure sinewave? Not many electronic appliances will run on a modified sine wave inverter, they will really only run a resistive load like a light bulb or heating element.
20amp x 14.4v x 10% charger losses = 317w, a 600w pure sine wave inverter would power that easily.
You do have the inverter wired to a switch so it's running off the start battery when you are trying to charge the house battery?

[shonky]

Hi, all.

Had a look at the RedArc system - the auto sparky in Childers offered to install one at only $400 for parts and labour, whereas I had a quote in Noosaville of $650.
No thanks - I'd install it myself, but looking at the forum comments maybe not.

[T1 Terry]

If you already have a mains charger, an inverter and solar with a quality regulator, you don't need anything more than a 3 way battery switch.