Battery Size

Battery Size

 

CAUTION

 

The PROwatt 1000 must only be connected to batteries with a

 

nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The inverter will not operate from

 

a 6 volt battery and will be damaged if connected to a 24 volt battery.

 

 

Importance

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.

Battery

A number of different standards are used to rate battery energy storage

Capacity

capacity. Automotive and marine starting batteries are normally rated in

Standards

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 Capacity Battery reserve capacity is a measure of

 

how long a battery can deliver a 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) Capacity Amp-hour capacity is a measure of how

 

many amps a battery can deliver 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).

 

This same battery can deliver a higher or lower current for less or more

 

time, limited approximately by the 100 Ah figure (for example, 50 A for 2

 

hours, or 200 A for 1/2 hour), but usually the capacity figure given is only

 

accurate at the specified rate (20 hours).

 

To calculate the battery capacity you require, read “Estimating Battery

 

Requirements” on page B–4 and “Battery Sizing Example” on page B–4,

 

and then complete the “Battery Sizing Worksheet” on page B–5.

B–3

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Xantrex Technology PROwatt 1000 manual Battery Size