this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2024
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[–] [email protected] 22 points 9 months ago (2 children)

A car battery shouldn't be discharged at all. They are meant to supply a short burst of power and then be charged back up again.

A deep cycle lead acid battery can be used to run an inverter. They can be discharged to 50% capacity while still providing hundreds of cycles. If they are used for a backup and are not cycled frequently, they can be discharged to around 80%, but they will provide a lot less cycles.

A LiFePO4 battery is definitely the better choice for anything that needs to be cycled frequently though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Just wire the inverter to your car battery and run the engine. Hard on gas compared to a 3500 watt generator, but you already have the car, inverters a few hundred bucks, and the genny would be at least 2500 dollars

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

An alternator can't output full power when the engine is idling. You may only get a few hundred watts before the battery starts draining. You can get a generator that will produce much more power than a typical car alternator for under $400.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

You're speaking like an alternator is a generator, and doesn't come in various outputs. Your average larger vehicle can charge itself from near-dead at idle or run a 3500 watt inverter, although I have had the odd small car or motorcycle incapable of either.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Sure but in an emergency? They can handle being discharged as long as you don't go too far.