Tripp Lite APSWX Series Owner's Manual page 12

3. Installation
1. Select a 24V DC battery system that will provide your Inverter/Charger with proper DC voltage and amp-
hour capacity to support your application. Even though the Tripp Lite Inverter/Charger is highly efficient at DC-
to-AC inversion, their rated output capacities are limited by the total amp-hour capacity of connected batteries.
2. Determine the total wattage of your application. Add the wattage ratings of all equipment you will connect
to your Inverter/Charger. Wattage ratings are usually listed in equipment manuals or on nameplates. If your
equipment is rated in amps, multiply that number times AC utility voltage to estimate watts. (Example: a drill
requires 2.8 amps. 2.8 amps × 230 volts = 640 watts.)
3. Determine DC battery amps required. Divide the total wattage required (from step 2) by the nominal battery
voltage to determine the DC amps required.
4. Estimate battery amp-hours required. Multiply the DC amps required (from step 2) by the number of hours
you estimate you will operate your equipment exclusively from battery power before you have to recharge your
batteries with utility- or generator-supplied AC power. Compensate for inefficiency by multiplying this number by
1.2. This will give you a rough estimate of how many amp-hours of battery power (from one or several batteries)
you should connect to your Inverter/Charger.
Note: Battery amp-hour ratings are usually given for a 20-hour discharge rate. Actual amp-hour capacities are less when
batteries are discharged at faster rates. For example, batteries discharged in 55 minutes provide only 50% of their listed amp-
hour ratings, while batteries discharged in 9 minutes provide as little as 30% of their amp-hour ratings.
5. Estimate the battery recharge rate required. You must allow your batteries to recharge long enough to replace
the charge lost during inverter operation or else you will eventually run down your batteries. To estimate the
minimum amount of time you need to recharge your batteries given your application, divide your required battery
amp-hours (from step 4) by your Inverter/Charger's rated AC/DC charger, solar charger or AC/DC + solar charger
combined.
6. Determine battery location. Batteries should be installed in an accessible location with good access to the
battery caps and terminals. At least two feet of overhead clearance is recommended. Batteries must be located
as close as possible to the inverter. Do not install the inverter in the same compartment with non-sealed batteries.
The gasses produced by non-sealed batteries during charging are highly corrosive and will shorten the life of the
inverter.
7. Batteries should be installed in a locked enclosure or room. The enclosure should be well-ventilated to
prevent accumulation of hydrogen gasses that are released during the battery charging process. The enclosure
should be made of acid-resistant material or coated with an acid-resistant finish to prevent corrosion from spilled
electrolyte and released fumes. If the batteries are located outdoors, the enclosure should be rainproof and have
mesh screens to prevent insects and rodents from entering. Before installing the batteries in the enclosure, cover
the bottom with a layer of baking soda to neutralize any acid spills.
8. Connect DC wiring. Though your Inverter/Charger is a high-efficiency converter of electricity, its rated output
capacity is also limited by the length and gauge of the DC cabling running from the battery to the Inverter/
Charger. Use the shortest length and largest diameter cabling to provide maximum performance (see table
below). Shorter and heavier-gauge cabling reduces DC voltage drop and permits maximum transfer of current.
Your Inverter/Charger is capable of delivering peak wattage at up to 200% of its rated continuous wattage
output for brief periods of time. Heavier-gauge cabling should be used when continuously operating heavy-draw
equipment under these conditions. Tighten your Inverter/Charger and battery terminals to approximately 3.5
Newton-meters of torque to establish an efficient connection and to prevent excessive heating at the connection.
Insufficient tightening of the terminals could void your warranty.
Maximum Recommended DC Cable Length
Watt
Line thickness
Torque value
9. Connect fuse. Tripp Lite recommends that you connect your battery to your Inverter/Charger's DC terminals with
wiring that includes a fuse and fuse block or DC circuit breaker within 45 cm of the battery positive. The fuse's
rating must equal or exceed the Minimum DC fuse rating shown on the Inverter/Charger's nameplate. The battery
wire with the fuse should not be grounded.
2000W
25 mm²
2-3 N•m
12
3000W
35 mm²
2-3 N•m