I have 2 100ah Redodo mini's in a dewalt x large tool box. Total weight is 46 lbs. Not bad for a 200ah battery box. I haven't had any issues with Redodo batteries. The batteries were bought during a black friday special and the monitor and usb port from amazon. Bus bars were made from flattened cooper pipe. Total build was less than 500 dollars.
as for the current draw, you can calibrate the sensor in the battery on mine and i checked it against my calibrated meter and now they're pretty much dead on each other.
Some inverters do have an automatic power save mode. They will turn off below a certain load and periodically turn on and keep running if there is enough load.
@@HamRadio2 Amps are amps for the most part. The only real difference is the flow of the current itself. Although the klein cl800 and cl900 read dc current the cl600 and cl700 do not.
@@thehighskyguy DC current isn't changing so can't be measured using a simple coil like the cheaper clamp multimeters used. DC current requires hall effect sensors (in a clamp on meter) to measure properly, so requires a bit more expense in the meter. Alternatively, an in-line ammeter can be used.
I have a 3000W inverter in my "microwagen." Sometimes, I need to run a microwave or curl my hair! HAHA! Of course, I manually limit the draw to 1800W, but that's plenty to cook and curl. ;-) OH, the remote control is awesome, even in my little car.
Modern DC to AC inverters work by using a high speed switch to convert the 12VDC to AC through a transformer then rectified to about 350 VDC. The HV DC charges capacitors. Then the DC is converted to 60 HZ AC by FETs switching at a high frequency to synthesize a sine wave output that is filtered to pass only the 6o HZ component. The 2.5 amps you see are what the first DC to AC converter is using because it runs all the time. All of this switching causes RFI. I have to turn off my 2,000 watt inverter when operating HF.
You are trying to measure DC current with an AC ammeter (that's why you see the discrepency.) The battery is giving you your true current draw. 73, KV4CW
Indeed, the battery's measurement via shunt is correct, and the clamp meter set to AC which uses a current transformer, won't work on DC. DC will need a hall effect sensor. Great little batteries, the group 24 is nice, and they make them even smaller (5.5" inches deep) which is just incredible. 73 de WØJO
@@HamRadio2 The Klein CL120 has a simple coil and will only detect AC current properly. You need a meter with hall effect sensors to properly detect DC current. This is directly from the CL120 specifications: "Measures AC Current and NCVT via Clamp and AC/DC Voltage, Resistance, and Continuity via Test-Leads" - note, "AC Current and NCVT via clamp"
i have a 100ah battery in my work truck with a 3000 inverter (inverter is rf noisy unfortunately). it also has a remote control panel wich is great because i can turn it on/off from the cab of the truck. it's great and well worth it if the inverter/battery is going to be in the back of a van/truck bed. i've yet to have the battery run flat to it's disconnect level even though everything is on all day every day because it charges whenever the truck is running and supplying > 12v to the battery charger.
If that was really pulling over 200 amps on 12v that's impressive! That is 2,400W or exactly the same as a full load on a 20A 120v!!! (For those wondering what they need to power just about anything via inverter as long as it's fairly efficient I just answered your question YW, 200AH rating with pure sinewave should power anything you can plug into 120v 20A outlets!!!)
@HamRadio2 still impressive considering that it's only rated for 100ah. Goes to show it can probably start a decent size air compressor or something like that as long as the continuous draw isn't much over 100a
You may need to select DC amps for that meter and zero it then clamp on wire. Check the manual. Some clamp on meters check AC amps only. Go threw the manual. Battery is nice. 73
Apparently this one is AC amps only - it advertises it will do AC/DC voltage, but not Current. So I am returning it and getting one that will measure DC Current.
I have a 50ah redodo that I turned into a POTA battery box. It will run my ft891 at 80 watts for days. Great batteries
I have 2 100ah Redodo mini's in a dewalt x large tool box. Total weight is 46 lbs. Not bad for a 200ah battery box. I haven't had any issues with Redodo batteries. The batteries were bought during a black friday special and the monitor and usb port from amazon. Bus bars were made from flattened cooper pipe. Total build was less than 500 dollars.
as for the current draw, you can calibrate the sensor in the battery on mine and i checked it against my calibrated meter and now they're pretty much dead on each other.
Some inverters do have an automatic power save mode. They will turn off below a certain load and periodically turn on and keep running if there is enough load.
Your meter was on ac amps. You have to push the select button to get the dc reading.
@@Itsallpossible285 actually I don't think this meter does DC current
@@HamRadio2 Amps are amps for the most part. The only real difference is the flow of the current itself. Although the klein cl800 and cl900 read dc current the cl600 and cl700 do not.
@@thehighskyguy DC current isn't changing so can't be measured using a simple coil like the cheaper clamp multimeters used. DC current requires hall effect sensors (in a clamp on meter) to measure properly, so requires a bit more expense in the meter. Alternatively, an in-line ammeter can be used.
@@HamRadio2 You are trying to measure a DC current.
I have a 3000W inverter in my "microwagen." Sometimes, I need to run a microwave or curl my hair! HAHA! Of course, I manually limit the draw to 1800W, but that's plenty to cook and curl. ;-) OH, the remote control is awesome, even in my little car.
Modern DC to AC inverters work by using a high speed switch to convert the 12VDC to AC through a transformer then rectified to about 350 VDC. The HV DC charges capacitors. Then the DC is converted to 60 HZ AC by FETs switching at a high frequency to synthesize a sine wave output that is filtered to pass only the 6o HZ component. The 2.5 amps you see are what the first DC to AC converter is using because it runs all the time. All of this switching causes RFI. I have to turn off my 2,000 watt inverter when operating HF.
You are trying to measure DC current with an AC ammeter (that's why you see the discrepency.) The battery is giving you your true current draw. 73, KV4CW
Indeed, the battery's measurement via shunt is correct, and the clamp meter set to AC which uses a current transformer, won't work on DC. DC will need a hall effect sensor. Great little batteries, the group 24 is nice, and they make them even smaller (5.5" inches deep) which is just incredible. 73 de WØJO
The meter was set for 12VDC
@@HamRadio2 The Klein CL120 has a simple coil and will only detect AC current properly. You need a meter with hall effect sensors to properly detect DC current. This is directly from the CL120 specifications: "Measures AC Current and NCVT via Clamp and AC/DC Voltage, Resistance, and Continuity via Test-Leads" - note, "AC Current and NCVT via clamp"
OK thanks, I will check on that.
The CL380 and 390 can do inductive DC, but I would rely more on an inline ammeter.
Very high idle current, my 1500 watt inverter idles at only 600ma. Check your specs on the Renogy. 73's from Berkeley, IL
i have a 100ah battery in my work truck with a 3000 inverter (inverter is rf noisy unfortunately). it also has a remote control panel wich is great because i can turn it on/off from the cab of the truck. it's great and well worth it if the inverter/battery is going to be in the back of a van/truck bed. i've yet to have the battery run flat to it's disconnect level even though everything is on all day every day because it charges whenever the truck is running and supplying > 12v to the battery charger.
That comes in very handy, great review, tnx Man!
If that was really pulling over 200 amps on 12v that's impressive! That is 2,400W or exactly the same as a full load on a 20A 120v!!! (For those wondering what they need to power just about anything via inverter as long as it's fairly efficient I just answered your question YW, 200AH rating with pure sinewave should power anything you can plug into 120v 20A outlets!!!)
It shut off right before it got that high
@HamRadio2 still impressive considering that it's only rated for 100ah. Goes to show it can probably start a decent size air compressor or something like that as long as the continuous draw isn't much over 100a
Tackle into chunk of hard wood with that saw and the amps will climb up. Specially if the blade is dull! Ask me how I know !! LOL
Haha, true
@@HamRadio2 Lets just say there was a small battery fire, and my friend had to buy a new truck! Oh and some blades for the saw!!
In electrical school we learned that a motor starting draws about 6 times the run current.
You may need to select DC amps for that meter and zero it then clamp on wire. Check the manual. Some clamp on meters check AC amps only. Go threw the manual. Battery is nice. 73
Apparently this one is AC amps only - it advertises it will do AC/DC voltage, but not Current. So I am returning it and getting one that will measure DC Current.
All these people asking about the current and amps i just want to know what you got to drink from Quick Trip ? Lol
my Renogy 3000 draws 400ma idle current
Thanks for your input ke4hpq