Xantrex RV Series Inverter/Charger Owner’s Manual
It is also good to check the battery interconnections for tightness and corrosion. If any corrosion is found, disconnect the cables and carefully clean with a mild solution of baking soda and water. DO NOT ALLOW THE SOLUTION TO ENTER THE BATTERY. Rinse the top of the battery with clean water when finished.
To reduce the amount of corrosion on the battery terminals, coat them with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or
Battery Installation
WARNING: Batteries can produce extremely high currents if they are
Battery Location
Batteries should be located in an accessible location with nothing restricting the access to the battery caps and terminals on the tops. At least 2 feet of clearance above is recommended. They must be located as close as possible to the inverter, but cannot limit the access to the inverter and the inverter’s
The
Battery Enclosures
The batteries must be protected inside of a ventilated enclosure. The enclosure should be ventilated to the outdoors from the highest point to prevent accumulation of hydrogen gasses released in the battery charging process. An air intake should also be provided at a low point in the enclosure to allow air to enter the enclosure to promote good ventilation. For most systems, a
Battery Temperature
The effective capacity of a battery is reduced when cold. This phenomenon is more significant with lead
If the system is located in an unheated space, an insulated enclosure is highly recommended for the batteries. During the charging process, the batteries release heat due to the internal resistance of the battery. If the batteries are insulated, the heat can be kept in the batteries to keep them warmer. This will substantially increase the performance of the system.
Insulated battery enclosures also ensure that the temperatures of the individual battery cells are more consistent, preventing unequal charging that can cause battery failure (some cells will be overcharged while others are undercharged).
The batteries should also be protected from high temperature as well. This can be caused by high ambient temperatures, solar heating of the battery enclosure, or heat released by a closely
11