Section 8 — electrical SyStemS - HouSe
17
camelot 2007
WARNING
Sulfuric acid in the batteries can cause
severe injury or death. Sulfuric acid
can cause permanent damage to eyes,
burn skin and eat holes in clothing.
Always wear splash-proof safety goggles
when working around the battery. If
the battery electrolyte is splashed in
the eyes, or on skin, immediately flush
the affected area for 15 minutes with
large quantities of clean water. In case
of eye contact, seek immediate medical
aid. Never add acid to a battery once
the battery has been placed in service.
Doing so may result in hazardous
splattering of electrolyte.
Battery Charge Time & Consumption Rate
Calculating Run Times:
Calculating run time figures when operating
120 Volt AC electrical items with an inverter
can be exponential due to battery characteristics.
Flow characteristics of electrons vary
with different battery types and chemical
compositions. Deep cycle batteries are generally
designed to slowly release a majority of their
charge capacity. Deep cycle batteries are
rated in amp hours (Ahrs) with the discharge
occurring over an extended period of time
before the battery is charged. Engine starting
batteries are designed to quickly release large
amounts of current for short durations, without
depleting battery reserves. Commercial type
batteries bridge the gap of deep cycle and engine
batteries. Commercial batteries release medium
amounts of current over a longer period of time
but they are not designed to cycle their charge
capacity.
The working range of a deep cycle battery is
between 50 and 100% state of charge (SOC).
Deep cycle batteries should not be cycled below
50% state of charge. Discharging a deep cycle
battery below 50% state of charge shortens the
life of the battery. Deep cycle batteries use an
amp hour rating which is usually calculated over
a 20 hour discharge interval.
For example:
A
deep cycle battery with a rated capacity of 100
Ahrs. is designed to release current at the rate
of 5 Amps per hour. Multiply a 5 Amp load
over a 20 hour discharge period equals the rated
100 Ahr. capacity. These discharge figures are
calculated with the battery starting at 100%
state of charge with the battery at 80º F when
the discharge cycle begins. However, increasing
the discharge load applied to the battery from
5 Amps to 10 Amps on a 100 Ahr battery does
not yield ten hours of discharge time. This is
due to the internal reactions which occur when
a battery is discharging. Actual discharge time
for a 10 Amp load may be closer to eight hours
of discharge time.
Increasing the load applied to
the battery to 20 Amps will not yield five hours
discharge time but may be less than three hours.
It might be understood as a point of diminishing
return.
Calculating applied loads to an inverter to
approximate run time from the battery amp
hours available is not an equal trade up when
voltage is inverted and amperage is calculated.
When the inverter is used to operate an AC load
it uses approximately ten times the DC current
needed from the battery when inverting 12 Volts
DC to operate the 120 Volt AC item. There is
also a small efficiency loss of about 10% when
inverting.
For example:
When using the inverter
to operate an AC electrical item, which has a
current draw rating of 2 Amps, the inverter will
use over 20 Amps DC power from the batteries.
Determining Current Consumption:
First determine the amount of current used
by an AC item.
For example:
The television is
rated at 200 watts at 120 Volts AC. Calculate
watts to amps. Divide 200 watts by the operating
voltage of 120, this equals 1.6 Amps. Multiply
1.6 Amps AC current by a factor of ten the
inverter will use, this equals 16 Amps DC
battery current. Add the revised 10% efficiency
loss figure, this calculates to a total of 17.6
Amps DC. If the battery bank capacity is rated at
500 Ahrs., actual elapsed time to the suggested
50% state of charge would net viewing time for
the television at approximately 13 hours in ideal
conditions.
The run time figure will vary greatly with
the actual state of charge of the battery bank
when the discharge process begins. Ambient
temperature, combined with other working
loads, such as lights and parasitic loads applied
to batteries, affect run times. Calculating the
exact run time is not precise due to all the
variables and equations involved; however,
an approximate time figure can be obtained.
Proper battery maintenance and charge cycles
affect battery performance. Observe the battery
condition with hydrometer and voltage readings.
Use only distilled water when filling batteries.
To achieve the highest quality of battery
performance and longevity maintain the batteries
in their proper operating range.
Summary of Contents for Camelot 2007
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Page 49: ...45 Section 2 Driving Safety Camelot 2007 Weight Record Sheet Actual Worksheet 020255b...
Page 53: ...49 Section 2 Driving Safety Camelot 2007 Weighing Procedure Worksheet 020255c...
Page 106: ...appliances 4 102 Camelot 2007 Notes...
Page 140: ...Section 5 Equipment 136 camelot 2007 Notes...
Page 155: ...151 Section 6 water systems camelot 2007 Water service center Typical Water System...
Page 156: ...Section 6 water systems 152 camelot 2007 Notes...
Page 186: ...Section 8 Electrical Systems House 182 camelot 2007 Notes...
Page 202: ...Section 9 Electrical Systems Chassis 198 camelot 2007 engine no start flow chart...
Page 244: ...Section 10 chassis information 240 camelot 2007 42 Tag Axle Models 070171i 070171j...
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