Xantrex Technology 3000 manual Battery Size

Battery Types

A battery isolator is a solid-state electronic circuit that allows equipment to be operated from an auxiliary battery without danger of discharging the vehicle’s starting battery. During vehicle operation, the battery isolator automatically directs the charge from the alternator to the battery requiring the charge. Figure 3-1, “Configuration for Normal Loads” on page 3–2 and Figure 3-2, “Configuration for Heavy Loads” on page 3–2 show a battery isolator in configurations for normal and heavy-duty loads.

Battery isolators are available at marine and RV dealers and most auto parts stores.

Battery Size

	CAUTION
	The XPower 3000 must only be connected to batteries with a nominal output
	voltage of 12 volts. The XPower 3000 will not operate from a 6 volt battery and
	will be damaged if connected to a 24 volt battery.
	Battery size or capacity is as important as the battery type for efficient
	operation of your loads. Xantrex recommends that you purchase as much
	battery capacity as possible.
	A number of different standards are used to rate battery energy storage
	capacity. Automotive and marine starting batteries are normally rated in
	cranking amps. This is not a relevant rating for continuous loads like an
	inverter. Deep-cycle batteries use a more suitable rating system, either
	“amp-hours” (“Ah”) or “reserve capacity” in minutes.
Battery Reserve	Battery reserve capacity is a measure of how long a battery can deliver a
Capacity	certain amount of current—usually 25 amps. For example, a battery with
	a reserve capacity of 180 minutes can deliver 25 amps for 180 minutes
	before it is completely discharged.
Amp-hour (Ah)	Amp-hour capacity is a measure of how many amps a battery can deliver
Capacity	for a specified length of time—usually 20 hours. For example, a typical
	marine or RV battery rated for 100 Ah can deliver 5 amps for 20 hours (5
	A x 20 hours = 100 Ah).

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