rogeriko

A modified sine wave inverter will read 180v on a multimeter so the inverter output is correct and so is your meter. The generator on the other hand is pure sine wave so that should read 240. That's the first problem to be solved and maybe that's why the batteries are not charging in which case its your only problem. Always measure the generator voltage under load plug in a 1kw load and then measure the voltage. For those that need to know the reason a modified sine wave inverter only measures 180v its because the waveform is flat topped instead of a curved peak and as the meter only reads the average the flat wave dosnt go as high as the sine wave because it is delivering more power more of the time. UK electricity is actually 380v peak to peak but averages out at 240v.

If the batteries are not charging properly they will behave like old batteries, maybe theres nothing wrong with them they are just not being charged properly. The ONLY way to measure a lead acid battery state of charge is with a hydrometer, they are only 4 pounds please buy one and measure the acid strength. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-282535-Battery-Hydrometer150mm-/171327960529?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27e3f135d1

Please forget all about your battery monitor they are at best only a guesstimate of whats going on. When the batteries are charging they should measure 26v to 27v, please use your voltmeter not the battery monitor. After a couple of hours charging when the amps drop they should be over 28v almost 29v if not the problem is in the charging circuit of the inverter. Can you borrow a 24v charger from somewhere?

The piece of coax sitting on the roof is the antenna.

Old diesel engines (pre 1998ish) will run on pretty much anything, cooking oil, biodiesel, old sump oil etc. Not very good for the environment but in the old days whenever the oil was changed on the tractor it went straight into the fuel tank and mixed with the diesel. My car, 2002 golf diesel, runs on biodiesel that I make myself from old chip shop grease. It is actually faster but has a strange bacon smell from the exhaust. This is why old oil is valuable it is a fuel for those in the know.

The batteries could be sulphated. This is a white covering on part of the plates that stops them working, thus a 110Ah battery becomes 20Ah. Can you open the tops and look in with a flashlight? the plates should be alternately chocolate brown and grey. If there are any white spots or patches that is lead sulphate. The sulphation can be removed somewhat by charging the batteries gently at about 15.6v for a couple of days to a week. The electrolyte will be gassing so you have to be able to top up with distilled water when you are finished. The batteries could be low on electrolyte can you open the tops, even those sealed batteries have openable tops underneath the sticker that runs along the centre top of the battery. fill them with distilled water if necessary. I live about 300 meters from Chirk Aqueduct glad to have a look for you if you are on the Llangollen Canal.

This inverter is the same as a PowerMaster from Taiwan. There is currently no supplier in the UK but http://www.alternativeenergysuppliesuk.com/INVERTERS.html used to supply and fix them maybe he can help. Rich Electric, Invertek and PowerMaster all seem to make the same equipment Sterling Power just stick their name on them. Maybe try E-Mailing Taiwan and ask for a European supplier.

Nickhlx has it right the led he has needs about 13v to run when you turn on other lights the battery drops to 12.4 or so and the led cuts out. You must use 12v car leds and you wont have this problem. They work from 10v to 15v. 80 pence each http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10Pcs-Day-White-24LED-5050-SMD-Dome-Door-Light-Panel-Bulb-T10-Adapter-12V-/111246602512?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19e6d07110