Can I leave power inverter on all the time, unattended?

Seamus1964

Hi!

I have 80w solar panel connected via controller to my deep cycle battery.
At the moment its connected with 12v cabinet lights in my kitchen.
I don't use cabinet lights regularly (only some evenings here and there)

Planning to use 220v (150w total) lights instead of 12v lights ( for a better performance , 12v LED lights I'm using at the moment - luminance is kind of poor)

I have 1000w power inverter I am planning to use for this task.
But inverter cooling fan makes so much noise so I tough I better leave it outside into my shed, where battery is - sending in to my house 220v connected directly to my 220v lights switch.

Can I leave power inverter on 24/7, unattended?
Would it drain the battery when lights are disconnected? Is it safe?

Thanks!

Seamus1964

Anybody?

mawk

Well it won't explode.. But I wouldn't leave it in a pool of tinder.

You could also bolt it onto a metal surface or finned heatsink to keep it cooler.

Seamus1964

Good point - thank you ,

would it drain the battery when not in use?

mawk

It will have an idle draw but probably not much. mA type range I'd guess.

But since you already have it set up, disconnect the battery terminal and put a multimeter set in current mode in between the battery and inverter when nothing is is being powered by the inverter.

That will tell you the parasitic loss.

Seamus1964

That's good advise, I'll try it out.