Inverter Battery Issue, having trouble with batteries discharging rapidly

Power Inverter Working Principle

Inverters, in their most basic form, operate similar to battery chargers in reverse: they take 12vDC power from a battery and run it through modern circuitry to change it into 120vAC current.

Whether your power inverter needs to be wired to your car battery depends on the model of the inverter and what you intend to run with it. For electrical loads up to 200 watts, the power-inverter can be plugged into the car’s cigarette lighter. This allows you to power laptop computers, small power tools, most small appliances, and even a small (13") TV directly through the cigarette lighter. If you want to power larger equipment, or if you want to run more than one item at a time, a direct connection to your car battery is necessary. Generally, if you intend to power loads of more than 200 watts, your inverter should be direct-wired to the battery to ensure safe operation.

To find how long your battery’s charge will last with any given inverter, use this formula:

Take the wattage being used (400W) divided by the battery voltage (12 Volts) to see how many amps are being drawn from the inverter: 400 Watts/12 Volts = 33.33 Amps.  Inverters only convert power at around 90% efficiency, so that means the inverter is really drawing around 37 amps (33.33 Amps / .90 = 37 Amps).  A typical car battery has a reserve capacity of about 80 minutes (80 minutes @ 25 Amps). So if you are drawing 37 Amps with the 400W inverter it will completely discharge the battery in 54 minutes ((80 minutes * 25 Amps) / 37 amps = 54 minutes).

A few types of alarms and their causes:

Low or no output voltage from the inverter

1. Poor contact at terminals. Unhook and re-hook the 12-volt connections, and try again.
2. Using incorrect type of voltmeter to test output voltage. Use a true RMS reading meter.

Blowing up of inverter fuse

Your power inverter is fitted with 25-amp spade type fuses, which should not have to be replaced under normal operating circumstances. A blown fuse is usually caused by reverse polarity or a short circuit within the appliance or equipment being operated.

If the fuse does blow:

   1. Disconnect the appliance or equipment immediately.
   2. Find the source of the problem, and repair it.
   3. Install the new fuse (supplied with your power inverter.)

Please do not install a fuse higher than 25-amps, as this may damage the inverter. Make sure to correct the cause of the blown fuse before using the inverter again.

The low battery alarm is constantly on

1. The input voltage is below 11 volts. Recharge or replace battery to maintain adequate power input.
2. Poor or weak battery condition. Recharge or replace battery.
3. Inadequate power being delivered to the inverter or excessive voltage drop. Check the condition of your cigarette lighter socket. Clean or replace if necessary.

How To Connect your Inverter
Make sure the ON/OFF rocker switch is in the OFF (0) position. (If connecting in a vehicle, remove the cigarette lighter from its outlet.)  Push the 12-volt power plug firmly into the outlet.  Switch the inverter rocker switch to the ON (I) position. The LED indicator light should glow GREEN verifying the inverter is receiving power.  Turn the inverter rocker switch to the OFF (0) position. (The GREEN LED power indicator light may flash briefly and/or the internal speaker may make a brief "beep." This is normal).  Make sure that the appliance to be operated is turned OFF. Plug the appliance into one of the two AC outlets.  Turn the inverter rocker switch to the ON (I) position.  Turn the appliance on.

The LED Indicator briefly flashing when you first turn the inverter ON, is a sign if that there is a short circuit within the power supply.  Turn the inverter OFF.  Remove the 12-volt plug from the cigarette lighter socket.  Firmly re-insert the plug.  Turn the inverter ON again.  If this does not remedy the problem try using a different 12-volt power source.

Using the Inverter to Operate a TV or Audio Appliance
The inverter is shielded and filtered to minimize signal interference. Despite this, some interference may occur with your television picture, especially with weak signals. Below are some suggestions to try and improve reception.

Make sure the television antenna produces a clear signal under normal operating conditions (i.e., at home plugged into a standard 110 AC wall outlet). Also, ensure that the antenna cable is adequately shielded and of good quality.
Try altering the positions of the inverter, antenna cables, and television power cord.  Add an extension cord from the inverter to the TV so as to isolate its power cord and antenna cables from the 12-volt power source.
Try coiling the television power cord and the input cables running from the 12 -volt power source to the inverter.  Affix one or several "Ferrite Data Line Filters" to the television power cord. Ferrite Data Line Filters can be purchased at most electronic supply stores including Radio Shack - Part Number 273-105.  Try grounding the inverter with an 18 AWG (minimum) wire, using as short a length as possible.

Safety Features

The LED Indicator light will turn from GREEN to RED and the inverter will automatically turn itself off when:
   1.  The power input from the battery drops to approximately10 volts. (When the power input drops to
        approximately 10.5 volts, an alarm will sound for an extended period).
   2.  The power input from the battery exceeds 15 volts.
   3.  The continuous load demand from the equipment or appliance being operated exceeds the inverter’s power capability.
   4.  The case temperature exceeds 145 ºF.

Safety Precautions and Installation Tips for Inverters

A power inverter changes direct current (DC) power from a battery, usually 12V or 24V, into conventional mains alternating current (AC) power at 230V. This means that you can use one to operate all kinds of devices ... electric lights, kitchen appliances, power tools, TVs, radios, computers, to name but a few.

Small Inverters (up to 500W)

Most leisure and marine batteries will provide an ample power supply for 30 to 60 minutes even when the engine is off. Actual time may vary depending on the age and condition of the battery, and the power demand being placed on it by the equipment being operated by the inverter. If you use the inverter while the engine is off, you should start the engine every hour and let it run for 10 minutes to recharge the inverter battery.

Larger Inverters (500W and above)

We recommend you use deep cycle batteries which will give you several hundred complete charge/discharge cycles. If you use the normal vehicle starting batteries they will wear out after about a dozen charge/discharge cycles. If you do not have a deep cycle battery, we recommend that you keep the engine of your vehicle running whilst using the power inverter. When using the inverter with a deep cycle battery, start the engine every 30 to 60 minutes and let it run for 10 minutes to recharge the inverter battery.

Appliance Cautions:

• DO NOT use an inverter to directly recharge nickel-cadmium batteries through appliances. Always use the charger provided with that appliance.
• DO NOT plug in battery chargers for cordless power tools if the charger carries a warning that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals.
• Some fluorescent lamps may not be fully compatible with an inverter. If the lamp appears to be too bright, flickering or fails to light up at all, do not use the lamp with an inverter.
• Some fans with synchronous motors may slightly increase in speed (RPM) and increase in noise when powered by an inverter.
• Certain chargers for small nickel-cadmium batteries can be damaged if plugged into a modified sine wave inverter. In particular, two types of appliances are susceptible to modified sine wave:
• Small, battery-operated appliances such as flashlights, cordless razors and toothbrushes that can be plugged directly into an AC receptacle to recharge.
• Certain battery chargers for battery packs that are used in some cordless hand-tools. Chargers for these tools have a warning label stating that dangerous voltages are present at the battery terminals.
• DO NOT use modified sine wave inverters with the above two types of equipment.

Safety Warning:

240V of electricity can be lethal. Improper use of a power inverter will result in property damage, personal injury, or loss of life. Please read and follow carefully the instructions in the instruction manual provided with every inverter for important safety considerations and precautions.

General Safety Precautions and Installation Tips:

• Place the inverter on a reasonably flat surface, either horizontally or vertically.
• The inverter should not be installed in the engine compartment, due to possible water/oil/acid contamination, and excessive heat under the bonnet, as well as potential danger from petrol fumes and the spark that an inverter can occasionally produce. It's best to run battery cables to a dry, cool mounting location.
• Keep the inverter dry. Do not expose it to rain or moisture. DO NOT operate the inverter if you, the inverter, the device being operated or any other surfaces that may come in contact with any power source are wet. Water and many other liquids can conduct electricity which may lead to serious injury or death.
• Avoid placing the inverter on or near heating vents, radiators or other sources of heat. Do not place the inverter in direct sunlight. Ideal operating temperature is between 10° and 30°C.
• In order to properly disperse heat generated while the inverter is in operation, keep it well ventilated. While in use, maintain several inches of clearance around the top and sides of the inverter.
• DO NOT use the inverter near flammable materials.
•  DO NOT install inverters in unvented battery compartments.

Best battery for all commercial vehicles with a very high power requirement

A four wheeler battery, be it for car or truck, operates by means of sleek plates that offer greater surface area with an idea to create greater power for your car to run. Car and truck batteries are potent sources of power that determine the caliber for four wheelers. Making the right decision about the choice of a battery is what ensures the performance of your car. Talking about a truck or car battery, the first name that strikes is SF Sonic. Four wheeler batteries of SF Sonic are always preferred for the durability as well as for the active service available for their maintenance. One of the frontrunners in the battery trade, the range of SF Sonic heavy vehicle batteries has been given special emphasis for being economical and superior at the same time. Most battery reviews highlight these advantages of SF Sonic. 

Essential characteristics of SF Sonic Car and Truck batteries

• Survive the worst of road conditions: If you are suddenly left to any kind of impediments on road, be sure to overcome those with your car having a SF Sonic battery.
• Unbelievable power for prompt ignition: With a SF Sonic battery in it, your four wheeler’s system promptly spontaneously responds to every attempt of starting it.
• Shields against all kinds of jerks and shocks: The understandable unevenness of Indian roads will not let your car falter when you have a SF Sonic battery in it.
• Designed judiciously to last longer: SF Sonic truck batteries have been structured keeping in mind the need to run longer than usual.
• Excellent capacity to start and resist: Conditioned to all the harshness of external factors, your car will stand up to all the oddities with better resilience with a SF Sonic battery.
• Easy for usage and maintenance: SF Sonic four wheeler batteries are very convenient to use and deal with. It is advisable to stick to them for better yields in future.
• Factory-charged for instant performance: A car with SF Sonic battery is sure to give you desired performance as it comes in the factory-charged state.

The maintenance of battery

For every vehicle, maintenance is an extremely significant concept. The major part of the maintenance procedure involves handling of batteries in the most proper way. To preserve your vehicle in a working condition for long, the most important step is to wisely choose the right battery for it. Though this partially addresses your concern of sustaining a car or truck battery, it does not totally solve the problem. Battery maintenance is a meticulous process, if done in the accurate way. Each of us is aware that the better a battery is maintained the healthier it proves for your vehicle. Thus, keeping the battery in the right state for a longer period of time is actually beneficial for your vehicle. This is the reason the battery maintenance services have gone through a lot of revisions in the recent past. Most of the manufacturers of automotive batteries have introduced the convenience of free battery maintenance. There are also facilities of emergency support provided by many of these battery manufacturers. Just a call to them during any auto electrical failure is enough to sort out the issue. The battery price hike in recent times is because of the inclusion of maintenance services. Such impromptu services are sure to get your vehicle out of problems, be it in starting the vehicle or just a battery concern.   

The more improved Dual Four Wheeler Batteries

Many battery manufacturers launched the facility of a Dual Battery System. Sharp contrasts to the flooded batteries of truck, Dual Batteries are the next best invention in this sphere. Unlike the flooded batteries that act as a source of energy for ignition as well as electric vehicles, the new Dual Battery System operates on two AGM batteries to put the engine on start along with two GEL batteries for electric vehicles. This stands as an enhanced technology that prudently works for the best possible performance. The Orbital batteries provide maximum power as far as cranking of the engine is concerned. As soon as the engine starts functioning they get recharged and stop working. Again when the engine is put off, power gets supplied through the GEL Batteries. It is during this time period that that the AGM batteries become abundantly recharged.

Does Overcharging damage automotive batteries

After an automotive battery is used for electromotive use - in other words any use that discharges the four wheeler battery or a two wheeler battery without any charging system or insufficient charging system, it is best to charge the battery to full charge right away.

Deep discharging any lead-acid, gel, or AGM type batteries will reduce the number of cycles it can have over its life. Use of manual battery chargers is ok if the battery is not left on charge too long causing an overcharging situation. Automatic battery chargers are best in that they will not damage the battery due to overcharging if left on the charger for a few days. Automatic battery chargers that have a complete cutoff feature are the safest automotive battery chargers to use. They generally can be left on the battery indefinitely. However, do not leave a battery on an automatic battery charger for more than a few days.

Overcharging produces rapid deterioration and corrosion which shortens automotive battery life. A battery needing to be topped up continually with water is a sure sign that the car's electrical system requires careful checking. This may also affect a maintenance free four wheeler battery or a two wheeler battery. Overcharging tends to convert water in the electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen gas, leaving the sulfuric acid behind. The result is a charged battery with excessively strong acid solution, which may be too low in quantity to fully cover and submerge all plates of all cells. Cells exposed to air do not last long! If you can see the liquid levels of the cells, and figure a way to add distilled water to each cell, so every cell is properly filled, (see an identical new battery) you may reduce the effects of this damage, otherwise, be prepared to replace it soon! (Excessive quantities of plate material often break loose with heavy overcharge, accumulating at the cell bottom, where this stuff eventually shorts out the cell.)

Mandatory battery maintenance tips:

Keep batteries clean and dry.
Dirt on a battery's surface leads to discharge and corrosion. Avoid spilling oil or grease onto the top of the battery. To remove dirt or moisture, wash with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rinse afterwards with clean water. Ensure vent plugs are in place at all times.

Keep batteries topped up

Maintaining a sufficient electrolyte level ensures the electrolyte is neither too high nor too low. Use distilled or de-ionized water and never over fill. Maintenance free batteries will usually not require topping up. Low maintenance batteries require the addition of water only once or twice per year depending on conditions.

Check electrical connections

Make sure battery terminals and cable connections are clean and tight. The application of a thin layer of petroleum jelly can help reduce corrosion.