Inverter connection

[mikebiggles]

Just purchased a small inverter for Bessie so that we can charge laptop etc when off grid. Silly question but....do most people leave the inverters permanently connected to the battery, or do they disconnect when not in use.
Any help much appreciated.

 

[Tombola]

which inverter do you have, and what size. Some are used via a 12v plug or hella style, or battery connection.

Mine is 3000w permanently connected and I switch it off when not in use as they draw a little power when switched on .

 

[Lenny HB]

Fuse and switch inline with battery connections.

 

[Lenny HB]

Mine is 3000w permanently connected and I switch it off when not in use as they draw a little power when switched on .

I hope you pre-charge the capacitors before switching it back on each time, only really need to do it on inverters over 2000 watts.

 

[MichaelT]

Ours is permanently wired 2000w with 50mm cable and 250a fuse. We have a remote switch that we use to turn it on when we want to use it then we turn off again.

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[Tombola]

I hope you pre-charge the capacitors before switching it back on each time, only really need to do it on inverters over 2000 watts.

sorry typo, 2000w

but first Ive heard about recharging the capacitors, Ill look that up thanks.

edit, just found this post

Inverter question

We have a 300w inverter bought from Maplins. It came with both a cigar plug connecter and wires to attach it directly to the battery. I want to use it to charge my macbook when we're off hookup - which currently in France is 90% of the time. I tried to use it in the cab cigar socket but it has...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Guigsy]

If it's a modern laptop, it might charge on USB C PD. In which case, you can get 12v supplied sockets that avoid the need for an inverter.

 

[mikebiggles]

If it's a modern laptop, it might charge on USB C PD. In which case, you can get 12v supplied sockets that avoid the need for an inverter.

Unfortunately, it needs 19.5v so its a mains charger. By the response from others, most people keep them connected but switch them on and off. I'll hard wire it to the battery via and inline fuse. Many thanks all.

 

[ChrisL]

Unfortunately, it needs 19.5v so its a mains charger. By the response from others, most people keep them connected but switch them on and off. I'll hard wire it to the battery via and inline fuse. Many thanks all.

One of these would be a more efficient way of charging your laptop, you don’t need 240v.

Zolt Universal Laptop Car Charger, 100W UK Laptop Power Supply Adapter for Lenovo HP Dell Asus Acer Toshiba Samsung Sony with USB Type- C, DC Adapter 12-24V Car Charger https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJJHJJ29?tag=mhf04-21

 

[autorouter]

One of these would be a more efficient way of charging your laptop, you don’t need 240v.

Zolt Universal Laptop Car Charger, 100W UK Laptop Power Supply Adapter for Lenovo HP Dell Asus Acer Toshiba Samsung Sony with USB Type- C, DC Adapter 12-24V Car Charger https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJJHJJ29?tag=mhf04-21

That's what I use too. Generally anything up to about 120W is best supplied by a DC adapter from a 12V socket. And if you haven't got 12V sockets then it's worth fitting some. You can wire them directly from the leisure battery using an in-line fuse, 10A or 15A.

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[Orion]

One of these would be a more efficient way of charging your laptop, you don’t need 240v.

Zolt Universal Laptop Car Charger, 100W UK Laptop Power Supply Adapter for Lenovo HP Dell Asus Acer Toshiba Samsung Sony with USB Type- C, DC Adapter 12-24V Car Charger https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJJHJJ29?tag=mhf04-21

This ^^^^

Charge the laptop with similar and also have one permanently connected to a 22” LG Smart TV/Monitor that would normally be used on 240v. Comes in the box with a 3 pin 240V to 19vDC PSU, so the laptop type 12v to 19v unit is ideal to power it, (and the Firestick).

 

[autorouter]

Just purchased a small inverter for Bessie so that we can charge laptop etc when off grid. Silly question but....do most people leave the inverters permanently connected to the battery, or do they disconnect when not in use.

To answer the question, generally it's best to switch off an inverter when not in use, because there is a small drain on the battery if left switched on. For long-term parking and storage, maybe disconnect the DC input as well, you can wire in an isolator switch to do this. But if it's a small inverter powered from a cigarette-lighter socket, say 150W or less, then it's best to disconnect it from the socket.