Inverter and battery charging question

[jadeddo]

Hello! I need a refresher course on the inverter because my notes from training last year are a bit of a mess.

I have my pre-departure and shut down checklists, both lists have “inverter switch - off”, and in a separate note I wrote “turn off 120 volt AC 60htz before disconnecting from shore power, automatically goes to inverter”

I don’t have a note anywhere indicating that I should manually turn it on.

So can someone do a quick rundown of what the inverter does, and when I should turn it on and off, and how it affects when the batteries are charging vs. draining?

 

[daviddri]

Hi - the inverter basically takes 12V DC power from your house batteries and converts it to 110V AC current. This means you can run things off your 110 outlets when you are just on battery or engine power.

A few things to note: If you aren't on shore power or generator, you will want to make sure any high drain 110v devices are off, including ACs, if installed, and water heater.

The inverters on Rangers generally also serve as battery chargers. Thanks to a set of charging relays, it will charge your Engine, House, and Thruster batteries when you are on shore power or generator. Otherwise, battery charging occurs underway via the engine alternator.

Others can correct/perfect as appropriate.

David

 

[PanthersFan]

Watch this Ranger Tugs webinar. Andrew does a great job of explaining the entire power management issue, including inverter usage.


https://youtu.be/Uj_am-ecSt4


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dcsqatar]

On my 2020 29S, the Kisai Inverter-Charger’s operation is described in the manual as:

Auto Backup Mode (Factory default setting):
The unit is fully automatic. When utility power is available, the unit is running in AC bypass mode. AC output is supplied from the utility. The internal AC charger is ON and will automatically top up the battery bank that is connected to the unit. When there is a power failure from the utility or an AC source is not available, the unit will run on battery power and the unit will generate sinewave AC output to maintain and operate the load continuously.

Non-Backup Mode
Same as Auto Backup Mode but when there is a power failure of the utility or the AC input source is not available, the inverter will not turn ON automatically. You are required to manually turn ON the inverter.

I have left mine in the Factory default mode, but as recommended in the Ranger Power Management seminar, I turn it off when not on shore power and not running the engine, and turn it on when 110v power is needed. I am assuming that having this Inverter-Charger off does not impact battery charging while running (i.e., from the alternator) or at anchor (from the solar array). Since I turn it on every time I use 110v power while off shore power, I am thinking of changing to “Non-Backup Mode”.