Idle draw of Multiplus 2000 and Multiplus 3000

[Dave-n-Janet]

Curious how many amps the MP 2000 and 3000 draw respectively with basically no load plugged in. The 1000 watt inverter that came w/my 2017 AS appears to draw about 1.5 amps.

Thanks,
Dave

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It depends a bit on which mode you put them into. They have various power saving tweaks you can do. Power in ranges from about 7W up to around 15W depending on what settings you use.

Bob

[Dave-n-Janet]

Thanks Bob,

Sounds pretty low. Do you leave yours on all night or just when having specific load to power? I guess that might depend if the fan always comes on or only if necessary based on power draw.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Dave-n-Janet

Thanks Bob,

Sounds pretty low. Do you leave yours on all night or just when having specific load to power? I guess that might depend if the fan always comes on or only if necessary based on power draw.

Hi

That power is with absolutely nothing attached to the output. If you plug in a computer power supply that pulls 30W even when the computer is unplugged from it, the power *will* go up.

We turn the inverter on only when we need it. We turn it off as soon as the task that required it is done. Even with 400AH of batteries, we still worry about 24AH here or there .....

Bob

[lsbrodsky]

I don't see U_B's reply(ignored), but I find I use my inverter function very little and leave it off almost all of the time, partly because I am afraid my wife will start something like her hair dryer without telling me.
I do leave the inverter on when running the generator because of the hybrid function that allows you set the amps at which the inverter will supplement the generator. This is particularly useful when running A/C on the generator assuring that small DC loads will not exceed the capability of my Honda 2K.

Larry

[wulfraat]

My multiplus 3000 pulls 2-2.5 DC amps when idle. It powers everything in the trailer so microwave, TVs, DVD player, Apple TV, sleep number bed, ice maker, etc... are all “hot” and in their own standby modes when the multi is on...

I typically leave the multiplus on 24x7. I’ve got 600ah of batts and lots of solar (800w) so 2.5amps overhead is not a problem for me.

[Dave-n-Janet]

Thanks, I don't know about 24/7, but would probably leave on at night.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Dave-n-Janet

Thanks, I don't know about 24/7, but would probably leave on at night.

Hi

The problem is the "parasitic drain" of stuff plugged into the AC side of the inverter. Small charging devices are generally the worst. Things with control panels (microwaves, TV's) never really are powered off. You can easily run up into
the 10A (at 12V) range with enough of this kind of stuff plugged in and idle.

Bob

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Dave-n-Janet

Thanks, I don't know about 24/7, but would probably leave on at night.

I run my sonic ice maker night and day my solar puts out 10A+ on a cloudy day and 50A+ on a sunny day. So that’s wasted energy during the day anyways most of the time. Might as well use it to make ice and stuff. Solar is a great thing

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If it's raining out and we have some shade ... 4 panels of solar *might* deliver 30AH over the entire day. Sure, full sun and no shade we are up around 150AH (if the batteries need it). Solar is highly variable.

Bob

[lsbrodsky]

I had not thought about my Sleep number bed, which is obviously powered by AC, but I have gone days, boondocking without AC, and not noticed any change. It must be an effective check valve in the system. Maybe the little bit of time I do have the inverter on just keeps it topped off. We mostly use the inverter in the evening to watch DVD's or something.
Larry