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Battery size
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Battery size
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.
A number of different standards are used to rate battery
energy storage capacity. Automotive and marine starting
batteries are normally rated in cranking amps. This rating is
not relevant to an inverter which runs continuous loads.
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 ½ hour),
but usually the capacity figure given is only accurate at the
specified rate (20 hours).
CAUTION
The HI400 must only be connected to batteries with a
nominal output voltage of 12 volts. The HI400 will not
operate from a 6 volt battery and will be damaged if
connected to a 24 volt battery.