Steve Spence said:
I don't have an integrated charger/inverter, so xantrex's comments don't
apply.
xantrex does run the inverter and the charger at the same time. when on
generator, the gen power is supplied to house, not inverter power.
That's not my understanding, but since the AC load is switched away from the
inverter, it's a moot point. Xantrex says, "do not run an inverter while
using one of our chargers, because it will boil the batteries."
This might happen only 10% of the time, depending upon the usage pattern,
but the result is the same: ruined batteries.
notice what you are saying
"If and when the inverter is drawing some amount of current
and what I am saying
"> > with the inverter pulling more current than the charger provides
(typical)
Of course. But proper design/installation requires that the batteries not be
unintentionally boiled, even occasionally.
are two different types of systems and scenarios. Mine happens a lot, your
scenario does not.
off grid homes usually have smaller chargers than their inverters.
I understand that, but it's not good design practice for a system to even
occasionally boil the batteries.
Note that if your charge controller does not implement a a three-stage
charging algorithm, there's nothing to worry about. If the batteries are not
sealed, there's less to worry about.
Perhaps you're running a three stage charge controller and an inverter, and
feel the results are satisfactory. However, the charge regimes prescribed by
battery manufacturers for maximum battery life are extremely strict. If the
batteries are flooded types, I accept the possibility that such a system
could work well, even though the battery lifetime is shortened.
For sealed batteries, a three-stage charger tricked into boiling the
batteries even occasionally is a disaster. However, some brands of AGM
batteries prescribe a strict single stage constant voltage charge. This
would be completely compatible with simultaneous inverter use.
