Planning Your Installation
Planning Your Installation
Before doing anything else, you need to determine how you will be using your PROwatt 600 and on the basis of that, design a power system that will give the best performance. The more thorough your planning, the better your power needs will be met. In particular, you need to:
•Calculate your battery requirements
•Choose an effective charging system
Calculating Battery Requirements
Battery type and size strongly affect performance of the PROwatt 600. Therefore, you must identify the type of loads your inverter will be powering. Once you know how much power you will be using, you can determine how much battery capacity you need. Xantrex recommends that you purchase as much battery capacity as possible.
Consult Appendix B “Battery Types and Sizes” on page 27 for a detailed explanation of how to determine the appropriate number and size of batteries for your installation.
CAUTION
The PROwatt 600 must only be connected to a battery that has a nominal output of 12 volts. It will not operate when connected to a 6 volt battery and will be damaged if connected to a 24 volt battery.
Choosing a Charging System
Your charging system must be appropriate for your inverter installation. This will ensure that power is available when you need it and that your batteries remain in top condition. Inadequate charging will degrade system performance, and the wrong type of charger will reduce battery life.
Consult Appendix C “Alternators and Charging Systems” on page 37 for information that will explain how to design an effective charging system.
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