Inverter Input Voltage
We have a 2006 Tiffin Allegro built on a Workhorse chassis with an 8.1-liter engine. Several years ago I installed a Tripp Lite inverter/charger, model RV1250ULHW. Two years ago we were on a trip and stopped for the night at an RV park. I plugged into shore power and noticed that the remote panel for the inverter was showing shutdown due to overcharge. At this time our house batteries were 8 years old, but they were good, based on specific gravity and load tests. After a few minutes, I was able to reset the inverter breaker and it ran fine.
This scenario happened the next two nights, so when we arrived at our destination, I contacted the local Interstate battery rep, and we decided to replace the house batteries, thinking that they were causing the problem by drawing too heavily. That wasn’t a solution, so I checked the alternator output voltage and it was 14.6 volts. I am assuming that the output voltage had changed, due to the issue with the inverter, but the local Chevy dealer said 14.6 volts was okay. All connections and cables were okay. I disconnected the battery leads from the inverter and went back to using an Iota DLS-55 converter until I had time to figure this out.
When I called Tripp Lite last fall, I was told that the inverter doesn’t like anything over 14.2 volts, so I should allow the coach to draw down the battery voltage to that point and then plug into shore power. My question is, should I replace the voltage regulator in the alternator? 14.6 volts seems a little high to me. Several output voltage choices are available.
Bruce Covey, F450444
Albany, New York
I agree with both you and the Tripp Lite tech. A 14.6-volt charge is too high for the inverter and for the batteries. Change the regulator to 14.2 volts.