Xantrex Technology PROwatt 1000 Charging System Requirements, Charging With an Engine Alternator

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Alternators and Charging Systems

Charging System Requirements

Your charging system should be capable of delivering a charging current equal to 25% of the amp-hour capacity of your battery. For example, if you have a 200 Ah battery, the charging system should be able to deliver 50 amps. The charging system must also be able to charge each 12 volt battery up to approximately 14.4 V and then drop back to a “float” voltage of 13.5–14 V (or shut off).

CAUTION

Never operate the PROwatt 1000 directly from an alternator. To work properly, the inverter must be connected to a battery or a well-regulated, high-current DC power supply.

Charging With an Engine Alternator

Read the following information to determine whether your vehicle’s standard alternator will be adequate by itself, whether you should install an alternator controller, or whether you need a high-output alternator.

Using a Standard Vehicle Alternator

A typical engine alternator (12 volts) may not be able to meet the requirements outlined above if your system uses large capacity batteries. Alternators are typically rated for the current they can deliver when they are cold. In use, alternators heat up, and their output current capability drops by as much as 25%. Therefore, standard alternators with ratings of 40–105 amps only deliver a maximum of 30–80 amps in actual use and deliver even less as battery voltage rises. Many alternators cannot produce more than 13.6 volts when they are hot. As a result, a standard alternator may not be able to charge a large battery quickly and completely.

Two solutions are to install an alternator controller or to install a high- output alternator.

C–2

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Contents PROwatt 1000 Inverter Date and Revision Scope About This GuidePurpose AudienceAbout This Guide Conventions Used Related InformationPage General Precautions Explosive Gas PrecautionsPrecautions When Working With Batteries Precautions For Using Rechargeable AppliancesProwatt Contents Troubleshooting OperationAlternators and Charging Systems SpecificationsBattery Types and Sizes Product and System InformationPage Introduction Quality Power Ease of UseComprehensive Protection Page Features PROwattMaterials List Feature Description Front Panel AC EndBack Panel DC End Back Panel DC EndRemote On/Off Switch REM O TE SW ITC HPage Installation Installation Tools and Materials Safety InstructionsInstallation Codes ToolsOverview of Installation Steps Designing Your Installation Calculating Battery RequirementsChoosing a Charging System Choosing a Location CoolConnecting to an Existing AC Circuit AC Wiring PrecautionsMaintain correct wiring polarity AC Wiring Procedure To make a permanent connection to existing AC wiringInstalling Transfer Switches in AC Circuits Bottom View of Inverter Showing AC Terminal BlocksSimple Transfer Switching Mounting the Inverter Installing the Remote On/Off SwitchTo install the remote On/Off switch To mount the ProwattConnecting the Chassis Ground Grounding LocationsConnecting DC Cables Cabling GuidelinesFixed Location residential, for example Connect Fuse/Circuit Breaker Sizing Guidelines To select the correct fuse type and sizeCabling Procedure 1000To connect the DC cables ALLInstallation Connecting DC Cables Page Operation Turning the Inverter Off Between Charges Turning the Inverter On and OffOperating Several Loads at Once To turn the inverter on and off from its front panelTo operate the inverter from the remote On/Off switch Using the Remote On/Off SwitchTesting the GFCI-Protected AC Outlet To test the Gfci protectionReading the Front Panel Indicators Battery Voltage IndicatorBattery Current Indicator Power Output Operating LimitsInput Voltage Problem Loads Inverter LoadsTrouble Loads Battery Charging Frequency Routine Maintenance Page Troubleshooting Common Problems Buzz in Audio EquipmentTelevision Reception Troubleshooting Reference Problem Possible Cause SolutionProblem Possible Cause Solution Specifications Dimensions Remote On/Off Switch Electrical Performance InverterPhysical Inverter Battery Types SizesBattery Types Automotive Starting BatteriesDeep-Cycle Lead-Acid Batteries Battery Size Estimating Battery Requirements Battery Sizing ExampleTo determine how much battery capacity you need Battery Sizing Worksheet Appliance Consumption Per day = a x BUsing Multiple Batteries Two Batteries Connected In ParallelTwo Separate Battery Banks To VehicleBattery Tips Battery Voltage State of Charge Page Alternators Charging SystemsUsing a Standard Vehicle Alternator Charging System RequirementsCharging With an Engine Alternator Using a High-Output Alternator Charging From AC PowerUsing an Alternator Controller Charging From Alternative Energy SourcesPage Product InformationSystemWarranty Return Material Authorization Policy Return Material ProcedureInformation About Your System AGMRemote On/Off Switch Mounting Template Figure D-1 Remote On/Off Switch Mounting TemplatePage Index Index Index-3 Index-4
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