Charging and power generation
Charger, inverter and combi unit.
Which for what.
On board and in the motorhome, three devices work together: the charger charges the batteries from shore power, the inverter turns battery power into 230 V, and a combi inverter combines both with automatic changeover. Which device you need depends on battery capacity, the number of battery banks and the power of the 230 V loads.
30 to 100 A charging current per charger.
200 VA to 3.5 kVA sine wave inverters and combi units.
up to 4 outputs charge several battery banks at once.
Three devices, three jobs
- Charger: charges the batteries from shore power or the generator, often several battery banks at the same time.
- Inverter: produces 230 V from the on-board battery for coffee machines, chargers or tools, even without shore power.
- Combi inverter: inverter and charger in one housing. When shore power is connected, it charges the batteries and passes shore power on to the loads; when it is not, the inverter takes over.
The charger: charging current to match the battery
The charging current depends on the battery capacity. For several philippi chargers of the ACE series, the data sheet states the recommended capacity. Multiple outputs charge starter, service and bow thruster batteries at the same time. The charging characteristic can be selected to suit the battery, on the ACE 12/44 for example for flooded, lead-calcium, GEL and AGM batteries and for lithium battery systems.
| Charger | Voltage | Charging current | Outputs | Rec. capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| philippi ACE 12/30 | 12 V | 30 A | up to 3 | – |
| philippi ACE 12/44 | 12 V | 40 A | 4 | 200–400 Ah |
| philippi ACE 12/64 | 12 V | 60 A | up to 4 | – |
| philippi ACE 12/90 | 12 V | 90 A | 3 | 300–900 Ah |
| philippi ACE 24/30 | 24 V | 30 A | 3 | 150–300 Ah |
| Mastervolt ChargeMaster Plus | – | 40, 60, 75 or 100 A | up to 3 | – |
The values are taken from the product information in the shop. The ACE 12/44 works without a fan, is ignition protected to ISO 8846 and charges on shore power between 90 and 265 V without power reduction. The ChargeMaster Plus charges up to three battery banks of different types independently of each other, for example a lithium service battery and an AGM starter battery.
The inverter: 230 V from the battery
A sine wave inverter produces the same voltage waveform as the mains, so even sensitive devices run without interference. What matters are the continuous power and the short-term overload when a fridge, vacuum cleaner or power tool starts up.
- Studer AJ: from the AJ 275 with 200 VA up to the AJ 2100 and AJ 2400 models. The series briefly handles up to twice the rated power. From the AJ 500 upwards, the inverter switches itself to standby when no load is running.
- philippi DCW: 2,000 or 3,000 W continuous power, briefly up to 4,500 W, for 12 or 24 V. Up to four units can be connected in parallel.
- Mastervolt Mass Sine: pure sine wave inverter for 24 V systems.
The combi inverter: everything in one unit
The Studer XTM combines inverter and charger, with 1,500 to 3,500 VA for 12 and 24 V, and the XTH version also for 48 V. When shore power is connected, it switches over automatically and charges the batteries. The Power Sharing function reduces the charging current as soon as the limit of the shore connection is reached. With Smart Boost it adds inverter power to shore power or the generator, so that loads with high starting current such as air conditioners start reliably. Up to nine units can be combined in parallel and in three phases.
The Mastervolt Mass Combi Ultra replaces inverter, charger and solar charge controller in one unit: 3,000 W at 12 V or 3,500 W at 24 V, with an integrated MPPT solar charge controller and Power Assist to prevent the shore power fuse from tripping during load peaks.
The generator: power independent of the marina
Where there is no shore power and demand is high, a generator supplies 230 V on board. The water-cooled marine diesel generators from Fischer Panda range from 5 kVA (Panda 5000i) to 10 kVA (Panda 10000i), and the Panda 8000i and 10000i are also available for 400 V three-phase. The Panda AGT-DC 4000-12V generates direct current and charges the 12 V batteries directly with 3.2 kW.
Connected in the on-board network
Most devices can be connected to the philippi PSM3 and PSL system monitors: the ACE chargers via the ACE-T cable HPO, the Studer XTM via the XCOM CAN interface, ChargeMaster Plus and Mass Combi Ultra via the CMB interface, and the DCW directly via the P-Bus. This lets you see state of charge, charging current and inverter power on one display.
By Michael Kögel, Managing Director, philippi elektrische systeme GmbHPublished
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Frequently asked questions. Answered briefly.
How large does my charger need to be?
The charging current depends on the capacity of the battery bank. For several philippi chargers, the data sheet states the matching capacity: the ACE 12/44 with 40 A is designed for 200 to 400 Ah, the ACE 12/90 with 90 A for 300 to 900 Ah. Also allow for the consumption that runs while charging.
Can one charger charge several batteries at the same time?
Yes. Chargers with several outputs charge starter, service and bow thruster batteries at the same time. The philippi ACE 12/44 has four outputs. The Mastervolt ChargeMaster Plus charges up to three battery banks of different types independently, for example a lithium service battery and an AGM starter battery, without isolating diodes or isolating relays.
Inverter or combi inverter?
An inverter only turns battery power into 230 V. A combi inverter such as the Studer XTM or the Mastervolt Mass Combi Ultra also charges on shore power and switches automatically between shore power and battery operation. If you need a charger anyway, the combi unit saves space and wiring.
Why a sine wave inverter?
A sine wave inverter produces the same voltage waveform as the mains. Sensitive 230 V devices such as screens, chargers or navigation electronics therefore run without interference. The Studer AJ, the philippi DCW, the Studer XTM and the Mastervolt Mass Combi Ultra deliver a pure sine wave voltage, as does the Mastervolt Mass Sine.
Can I also charge lithium batteries with the charger?
Yes, if the charger has a suitable charging characteristic. On the philippi ACE 12/44 you select the characteristic for flooded, lead-calcium, GEL, AGM or lithium batteries on the control panel. The Mastervolt ChargeMaster Plus charges lithium-ion, gel and AGM batteries, even at the same time on different outputs and independently of each other.
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