Xantrex Technology RM1012 User Manual
Page 20
Operation
2–8
The efficiency of the inverter/charger is approximately 90%, which means it
is drawing about 1100 W (DC) from the battery or 92 amps. This leaves
38 amps for all DC loads. If the DC loads require more than 38 amps, the
battery will actually discharge even though the alternator is running.
Indication
If the alternator is overloaded the:
•
battery voltage gauge on the dashboard begins dropping from
approximately 14 V towards 12 V
•
inverter LED signals a low battery with a slow blink
•
inverter shuts down at 11.8 V and AC loads will stop operating
•
battery voltage gauge will climb again as the alternator now has enough
power to charge the battery
Solutions
You can reduce the AC or DC load on the battery or, for continuous
operation of large AC and DC loads you can consider installing a larger
alternator.
Comment
Small alternator overloads may not be immediately noticeable and can take
several hours to discharge the batteries. Large overloads will discharge the
battery in a shorter time.
At low engine RPMs the alternator current will drop significantly causing
alternator overload to occur even with reduced AC and DC loads.