Do I need an inverter/charger?

[user 29503]

Thank you very much for being specific, it really helps.  Will do on the large cabling.  I'm keeping it simple and not allowing myself to go down too much of Prowse's product rabbit hole (which isn't that scary but I'm too new to get picky)  I'm keeping it simple for my first build.  Every major component will be Renogy, so I'm keeping electrical "conversations" in the family, as well as customer service relations. (Panels are HQST so-first cousins anyway).  The point I'm getting to, slowly, is that Renogy's inverter has the remote so I'm good there.  Thanks a lot.  For some reason I struggled with the invertor part of this.  PS-EPIC user name.  Matlock has argued a good case, the defense rests.

 

[XERTYX]

Also if that lifepo4 battery is a single one not 2 in parallel you need to consider the maximum discharge current that the BMS supports. For instance battle born supports 100a continuous discharge load.
100a X 12v =1200 watts. Close to the ceiling on your microwave startup wattage.

Just a thought.

 

[user 29503]

Thank you so much.  It seems I can read and read and still miss Easter eggs such as the one above.  I will be carefull and look into it

 

[ldsreliance]

Also if that lifepo4 battery is a single one not 2 in parallel you need to consider the maximum discharge current that the BMS supports. For instance battle born supports 100a continuous discharge load.
100a X 12v =1200 watts. Close to the ceiling on your microwave startup wattage.

Just a thought.

I am sure you know this but for anyone reading this thread that is unaware, there is a big difference between the "continuous" discharge rating and the "momentary" or "max" discharge rating, which is usually for 3-5 seconds.  The BMS will allow the battery to discharge at a much higher rate for a brief period of time and then cut off the fun if it continues past that 3-5 seconds.  But that is plenty of time for an inductive motor to spin up, like on an air conditioner or refrigerator, and for a microwave to surge.

The BattleBorn batteries have very poor surge capabilities relative to competitor offerings.  But even at 200A (for the 100Ah battery size) for 5 seconds, that should still be plenty to start up a microwave as long as the running Watts is less than 1200W.

 

[XERTYX]

Yeah the surge current would be fine for a motor but from kill a watt meter readings I've seen on microwave ovens their running wattage is still close to their surge wattage on many models. I think its wise to not size your battery based on surge capability.

I think the OP mentioned an SOK battery which are really nice. I forget their BMS limits but they are user serviceable.... depending on their level of experience of course... and the BMS can be changed out. So that might be an option.

I thought about an SOK battery myself but they were out of stock. They're available to ship in may as of yesterday I think it was.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

I'm going to also always suggest getting separate units. Many valid attributes to keeping them separate when, not if, they fail. I'm unsure what my batteries can handle with surges. I have two Valence U27-12XP and I wired them in parallel, hoping for the best! I planned my equipment around the biggest single device I have. Yes, I have more than one large amperage device, but I know not to run them at the same time. Dealing with running either the microwave or induction stove one at a time allowed me to keep my inverter size smaller. But all my chargers and inverters are all separate devices. When one fails, I just replace one small device, instead of one bigger, more expensive multifunction device.