Charging Camera Batteries

billwilson · 12-13-2011, 07:38 AM

Folks
i have close to zero knowledge on the inverter draw

we have three digital cameras
each have special battery and special charger
they all plug into 110v (small self contained charger unit
HOWEVER, they all have a very mimimal out put

question:
if i turn invert on
and the only thing hooked up is the camera charger
will it suck a bunch of juice out or just the little @ 5v that they need??

thanx in advance

bw

haywoodphotomaccom · 12-13-2011, 08:33 AM

BW, I have three camera/battery chargers on at all times with a 1500 watt inverter to run them. If I don't drive or turn off the inverter when done each time it runs my battery down in 3 days or so.

Lot's of variables to consider but I try to turn everything off when not actually charging.

Nomadcat · 12-13-2011, 10:43 AM

I'm constantly traveling with multiple camera battery chargers. I always unplug when I'm done charging. I don't know, but would guess that trickle charging pulls a bit.

Ford_6L_E350 · 12-13-2011, 11:07 AM

I'll bet the drain on the batteries is mostly due to the inverter, if the battery chargers are hooked up or not.

So, I wouldn't charge for long periods of time or leave the inverter on when not needed.

In the sun, your solar should keep up - so no issues.

Mike

Tapatio · 12-13-2011, 11:23 AM

The short answer is your inverter will only draw as much power as it requires for a given load plus a little overhead. Inverters are typically 85%-95% efficient.

The reason why you should turn off an inverter between uses is because they draw power even when there is no load. This is known as "idle draw". Some pull more than others, check your manufacturer specifications. For example my Xantrex ProWatt 600 pulls ~800mA at idle or .8 amps at idle.