DrDave;
I personally like to use an inverter that is loaded at about 80% of it's constant run level. This way when on it's using as much of the available power to run stuff with as little waste as possible.
I use a small 100 watter to charge all of our mobile phones and cordless drills.
With nothing running the inverters still use power to keep it available, even the remote on units use a little to pop back on when they sence a need for power.
In my playing around with my small set, the power coming from the PVs unless you have a large system, cannot keep up with the demand from the inverter. This is the reason the panel voltages drop so far when the inverter is switched on and connected directly to the back of the inverter.
The readings your getting tell me the battery your using is in needs of a good long charge. when you disconnect it from the PVs it's 11.5, not good , when everything is connected your getting 12Vs, that means the PVs are doing their job. The battery will pull them down to its level. let it do that.
I'd be careful that this battery doesn't get any lower, it may not survive much longer at such a low level.
The low level from the meter readings to me is correct, BUT I would disconnect the inverter and let the panels do their job all weekend and then check them say Sunday. You should see a higher voltage reading by then, otherwise you may have a battery that has a bad cell and should be replaced.
Those 13 watt bulbs will last a long time, :-) if they weren't able to run, once on a warmed up, it still would have lasted 4 hours before dropping out.
Best of luck with that battery!!
Bruce S
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