5
Application Guide
Mounting
Optional
Match Battery Amp-Hour Capacity to Your Application
Select a battery or system of batteries that will provide your Inverter with proper DC voltage and an adequate amp-hour capacity to power your
application. Even though Tripp Lite Inverters are highly efficient at DC-to-AC inversion, their rated output capacities are limited by the total amp-hour
capacity of connected batteries and the support of your vehicle’s alternator if the engine is kept running.
• STEP 1: Determine Total Wattage Required
Add the wattage ratings of all equipment you will connect to your
Inverter. Wattage ratings are usually listed in equipment manuals or on
nameplates. If your equipment is rated in amps, multiply that number
times AC utility voltage to determine watts. (Example: a ¼ in. drill
requires 2½ amps. 2½ amps × 120 volts = 300 watts.)
Note: Your Inverter will operate at higher efficiencies at about 75% - 80% of nameplate
rating.
• STEP 2: Determine DC Battery Amps Required
Divide the total wattage required (from step 1, above) by the battery
voltage (12) to determine the DC amps required.
• STEP 3: Estimate Battery Amp-Hours Required
(for operation unsupported by the alternator)
Multiply the DC amps required (from step 2, above) by the number of
hours you estimate you will operate your equipment exclusively from
battery power before you have to recharge your batteries. Compensate
for inefficiency and wiring losses by multiplying this number by 1.2.
This will give you a rough estimate of how many amp-hours of battery
power (from one or several batteries) you should connect to your
Inverter.
NOTE: Battery amp-hour ratings are usually given for a 20-hour discharge rate. Actual amp-
hour capacities are less when batteries are discharged at faster rates. For example, batteries
discharged in 55 minutes provide only 50% of their listed amp-hour ratings, while batteries
discharged in 9 minutes provide as little as 30% of their amp-hour ratings.
You must allow your batteries to recharge long enough to replace the
charge lost during Inverter operation or else you will eventually run
down your batteries.
NOTE: For Tripp Lite Inverters over 1000 watts used in mobile applications, Tripp Lite
recommends you use at least two batteries, if possible, fed by a heavy-duty alternator
anytime the vehicle is running. Tripp Lite Inverters will provide adequate power for ordinary
usage within limited times without the assistance of your vehicle’s alternator. However, when
operating extremely heavy electrical loads at their peak, you may wish to “assist your
batteries” by running your vehicle engine faster than normal idling.
WARNING! If you choose to mount your Inverter, mount it and wire its DC input BEFORE DC battery
connection. Failure to follow these instructions may lead to personal injury and/or damage to the Inverter
and connected systems.
Tripp Lite Inverters are designed for flat-surface mounting in a variety of
vehicular or non-vehicular applications. User must supply mounting
hardware and is responsible for determining if the hardware and mounting
surface are suitable to support the weight of the Inverter. Contact Tripp
Lite if you require further assistance in mounting your Inverter.
Vehicular and Non-Vehicular Flat-Surface Mount
Install and tighten four user-supplied fasteners through Inverter mounting
slots and into a rigid flat surface. Install fasteners as far back in the
mounting slots as possible, otherwise the Inverter may slide back and forth
if fasteners loosen.
Note: Do not mount unit with its front or rear panel facing down (at any
angle). Mounting in this manner will block the cooling fans and seriously
inhibit the unit’s internal cooling, eventually causing product damage not
covered under warranty.
Example
Tools
300W
+
220W
+
20W
=
540W
¼" Drill
Orbital Sander
Cordless Tool Charger
540 watts ÷ 12V =
45 DC Amps
45 DC Amps × 5 Hrs. Runtime
× 1.2 =
270 Amp-Hours
FLAT SURFACE
FLA
T SURF
A
C
E
