I have a lithium battery for my electric outboard ( for my tender) and Im thinking how I might keep it charged when cruising if I can't plu in to shore power. I have a 230 v AC charger with lithium option , that delivers 5A charging current at 14.5v and I am wondering whether I can use a drinks can style inverter to create the AC current for my charger. It seems a bit weird to go from DC to AC and back again . Maybe there is a better solution?
The drink can inverter says can deliver 150 to 100 W continuously and I guess the energy output from the system would be max 14.5x5 =72.5 w but I don't know the energy loss in converting DC to AC and back. Any ideas?
By the way Im only thinking to run the inverter when the engine is running , although I do have solar panel 120w .
Roly
Hi Roly
I would expect the efficiency of your lithium charger to be pretty good, so I think your inverter would be man enough. Just try it, if the load is too high the inverter output will probably just collapse and so the charger will fail to operate.
I'm pretty sure you can buy 12V to lithium chargers, though I don't know any by source or name. A search on the net should turn something up.
Good luck!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight