Need Deep Cycle/Inverter Recommendations

[Lightspeed]

Hello! I am hoping I can get some help with a basic deep cycle batter and inverter setup. I have done quite a bit of reading and research but for some reason I can't wrap my head around it.

Last year I used a Honda EU2200i at times to run some fucking Christmas lights and it was ridiculous, a waste, and probably annoying to my neighbors. I'm still going to run the Honda for our AC, but at night just for camp lights and light use (phone/battery charing) I'd like to put together a setup using a deep cycle battery and inverter.

I'd be so grateful for any tips or suggestions on what to get.

[Sham]

There are many more adept than me on this, but I had a similar set up this past year. If your lights are LED's, you can use the smallest inverter--maybe 100 watts. The battery should be good for a few days. Harbor Freight actually has decent inverters. I never had one fail one me. As a test at home, I ran a dorm size refrigerator/freezer for about 5 hours on a 400 watt inverter and a deep cycle battery.. I was never expecting that kind of time.

[Lightspeed]

There are many more adept than me on this, but I had a similar set up this past year. If your lights are LED's, you can use the smallest inverter--maybe 100 watts. The battery should be good for a few days. Harbor Freight actually has decent inverters. I never had one fail one me. As a test at home, I ran a dorm size refrigerator/freezer for about 5 hours on a 400 watt inverter and a deep cycle battery.. I was never expecting that kind of time.

Thanks Sham, those numbers give me a good idea of what to look for. And the Harbor Freight tip helps, looks like their prices are better than others. Thanks!

[FIGJAM]

How many lights?

The solar strings of LEDs last all night.

If you get 12 volt lights, you won't need the inverter.

[Jackass]

I run quite a few strings of leds, and all I use is one of those "80 watt" harbor freight inverters that plug into a cigarette lighter socket ($18 I believe). I have an inverter on my trailer, but it uses a lot more juice just to idle than the lights themselves require... I don't charge this battery at all during the week, it's a back-up for my trailer and is used just for camp lighting, small electronics charging, and a bilge pump for my shower.
About ten years on it and it's a little slow to start sometimes (smack it), but always works. I split the one plug to multiples with a cord and it stays right in the dirt under my trailer all week long, so you know it's a damn robust unit.

[Lightspeed]

I run quite a few strings of leds, and all I use is one of those "80 watt" harbor freight inverters that plug into a cigarette lighter socket ($18 I believe). I have an inverter on my trailer, but it uses a lot more juice just to idle than the lights themselves require... I don't charge this battery at all during the week, it's a back-up for my trailer and is used just for camp lighting, small electronics charging, and a bilge pump for my shower.
About ten years on it and it's a little slow to start sometimes (smack it), but always works. I split the one plug to multiples with a cord and it stays right in the dirt under my trailer all week long, so you know it's a damn robust unit.

Thanks! This is great to know that this things is usefull. I am also looking for an additional, even smaller solution for a van build I'm working on and had checked it out a couple times.

How many lights?

The solar strings of LEDs last all night.

If you get 12 volt lights, you won't need the inverter.

Whoa, FIGJAM! Huge fan! lol

I don't have a lot: 4x20' LED Christmas lights and a 4m strip of 5050 that I'm going to make into a camp beacon for the flagpole. Solar lights are good idea, I think I might throw $20 at some to try out this year.

Sort of trying to build onto the system that I already have with the eu2200i, as well as put together something that I can grow with into the future as I slowly expand my camp. So I'm thinking deep cycle with inverter is good approach for me; I'll be able to charge the battery with the Honda, and also via future solar panels. Just trying to find the right inverter/battery combo. I should have explained this in the beginning. I very much appreciate your tips!

[Jackass]

With the gennie, a deep cycle and an inverter or two, I really see no reason to add solar panels.
The gennie can produce several times the energy produced by the solar panels in a fraction of the time and with greater reliability, covered in dust, rain or shine...

Solar panels tend to be bulky, somewhat fragile, and need to be cleaned and aimed to maintain efficiency. Not so much for the rest of your system.

[FIGJAM]

There are some really bright 12 volt sets out there, and if it was me, I'd bring a charger for the battery and not bother with an inverter.

[Lightspeed]

With the gennie, a deep cycle and an inverter or two, I really see no reason to add solar panels.
The gennie can produce several times the energy produced by the solar panels in a fraction of the time and with greater reliability, covered in dust, rain or shine...

Solar panels tend to be bulky, somewhat fragile, and need to be cleaned and aimed to maintain efficiency. Not so much for the rest of your system.

I had a neighbor that had a pretty great solar system going that powered his lights and whatnot. Seemed to work for him. It was inspiring, for sure. But I agree, it would be unnecessary. I think I just like the gadgetry! haha

There are some really bright 12 volt sets out there, and if it was me, I'd bring a charger for the battery and not bother with an inverter.

Any tips on what kind of battery I should look for?

[some seeing eye]

The go-to deep cycle battery is from Costco. With wally-mart, you would have to do a lot of quality research. You will need a voltmeter or a battery charge meter for the type of battery to know when to charge.

Today many small inverters have USB charging ports to charge that phone you shouldn't be using! A sealed inverter would be better than a vented inverter, but they are really so cheap that they can be destroyed by playa dust.

The Alternative Energy Zone is a village worth a visit on playa. They have all the lore on batteries, along with the Solar Death RayTM!

[FIGJAM]

[FIGJAM]

I have these in all my vehicles and trailers.

101 amp hrs.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Le ... /180350522

[Captain Goddammit]

Since you’re planing on future expansion and also run a generator, I say skip the low powered junk you’ll waste your money on when you throw it away later.
Get at least a 1000 watt inverter, and whatever you do, get a pure sine wave inverter.
Don’t buy a super cheap shit box. Many things including a lot of LED lights won’t operate at full brightness, and will have an irritating high frequency flicker, unless you get a pure sine wave unit. Microwaves don’t like the cheapie sets either.
As far as the “idle” current a bigger unit has, forget it, you’re running a generator during the day, you can change the batteries, that tiny draw is insignificant.

[LowePro]

Sent you a PM with some links. I have used an inexpensive Bestek 400w inverter from the "rain forest" for 5 yrs with good luck--for the basics (charge cameras, run LEDs and small stereo, etc). Didn't run A/C or any major appliances tho. But still going strong.
Inverter needs to be keep cool and out of the dust, so rig up a crate or bin system to store your power kit.
Deep Cycle battery: Get a 100 Amp-Hour battery and if fully charged, it should last all week if you're frugal and remember to turn lights off when you go to bed.

[Captain Goddammit]

About dust: I shopped Target and such and found a plastic bin with a top that fit my inverter with some space around it. I screwed some pieces of wood through the bottom to provide a mounting surface and drilled holes to run the cables through.
I silicone-sealed the crap out of all the holes where the cables went through. I had this on my Mutant Vehicle in a place that would get a LOT of dust and it stayed clean, several years in a row. I still use that unit in another application, still like new.
Get one with a remote on/off so you never have to open the box at all.

I favor the Xantrex ProWatt SW series. They make a 600, a 1000, and a 2000. They’re not terribly expensive and really work well. Remote control is available for about $20.