Been lurking here for a few days trying to read all I can regarding the above subject because of what may be a somewhat unique circumstance. The situation is that I recently built a houseboat that I will be using both a generator (when I'm there) and PV when I'm not. The only thing I'd like run on PV when I'm not there is a small fridge that operates on 110VAC so while I'd like to keep it running when I'm not there, it won't be a tragedy if the voltage gets too low to keep the fridge contents from spoiling. I tried several chinese LVD's with terrible results. It seems that the components are not robust enough to perform reliably. Keep in mind that the houseboat is presently in my backyard so I've had plenty of time to experiment. I previously had the PV system on my shop trying to run a freezer with mixed results so when we built the houseboat, I decided to move it there to try to utilize it more fully. The solar system consists of a Morningstar 45 solar controller tied to two 100W panels wired in series connected to two 110ah AGM batts wired in series for a 24V system. The inverter I'm utilizing is a 24V Samlex 1750W MSW, Model PSE-24175A and the inverter is connected to a switch that allows me to vary the feed from gen power to inverter power manually. While I'm using the batts on a separate circuit to power five LED RV ceiling lights in addition to the 12V bath exhaust fan, all the wall outlets are 110-120V and are set up to run a microwave, small AC and TV along with a couple for fans when needed. I experimented with running just the fridge exclusively and while it kept stuff frozen for 13 days, when we had 2-3 consecutive days of minimal sunshine, it didn't have enough "juice" to keep it going forever and ever amen. I carefully monitored the battery voltage and never allowed the voltage to get low enough to damage the batts, but if I hadn't been there, I feel sure that would have happened.
Here's my question: with the disappointing results of the chinese knockoff LVD's, I recently ordered a Victron 12-24V Battery Protect that I'd like to utilize to protect my batts from damage. I know what Victron says about using their LVD's with an inverter and I understand why that is so because of what happens electrically with my older inverter and the capacitors, but I only want to use it to disconnect the inverter, not to reconnect it. The inverter only has a remote that allows the pressing of a momentary on/off button to operate it so I'm not interested in doing that because (from what I read) I'd have to connect other devices that I do not feel comfortable in wiring up because I am somewhat of a newbie. Since the inverter is about 15 years old, it doesn't have the capability to utilize the remote relay aspects of the BatteryProtect device. From what I've read on this great forum, the answer seems to be to purchase a new programmable inverter, but I'm trying to get by cheaply at this point. (I do plan to upgrade where needed, just not now.) As I said, I have no DC load other than the separate circuity for the LED lights, etc. so I can't wire it up as Victron recommends to disconnect the DC load and use the remote to kill/connect the inverter. So more specifically, if I'm willing to sacrifice my fridge contents if we experience consecutive days of cloudy days, will the Victron unit work to kill the inverter only and then allow the PV system to recharge the batts so that when I return to the boat, I can manually reset the inverter and/or utilize gen power to run the other necessary 110VAC circuits?
Here's my question: with the disappointing results of the chinese knockoff LVD's, I recently ordered a Victron 12-24V Battery Protect that I'd like to utilize to protect my batts from damage. I know what Victron says about using their LVD's with an inverter and I understand why that is so because of what happens electrically with my older inverter and the capacitors, but I only want to use it to disconnect the inverter, not to reconnect it. The inverter only has a remote that allows the pressing of a momentary on/off button to operate it so I'm not interested in doing that because (from what I read) I'd have to connect other devices that I do not feel comfortable in wiring up because I am somewhat of a newbie. Since the inverter is about 15 years old, it doesn't have the capability to utilize the remote relay aspects of the BatteryProtect device. From what I've read on this great forum, the answer seems to be to purchase a new programmable inverter, but I'm trying to get by cheaply at this point. (I do plan to upgrade where needed, just not now.) As I said, I have no DC load other than the separate circuity for the LED lights, etc. so I can't wire it up as Victron recommends to disconnect the DC load and use the remote to kill/connect the inverter. So more specifically, if I'm willing to sacrifice my fridge contents if we experience consecutive days of cloudy days, will the Victron unit work to kill the inverter only and then allow the PV system to recharge the batts so that when I return to the boat, I can manually reset the inverter and/or utilize gen power to run the other necessary 110VAC circuits?