Is Inverter Worth The Hassle?

Ron20324 · Jun 9, 2009

When i bought my boat I got a healty discount on that same unit along with some heavy wire and such. Mounted the monitor panel at the nav station. Ran the coffee pot once to make sure it all worked. That was a year-plus ago. Tried it out this spring for the second time, and it won't turn on. I have not worked on it since it's low priority. I have not otherwised used it in over a year that it's been installed. Yes, you'd want to beef up the batteries (I have 2, 31's), or/and would want to run the engine when the inverter is on- just like when using the windlass. You probably won't use it, but you'd be as well off to pawn the one you have and put the money toward a Honda 2000 generator for $885. If my 1000 has died, I may well be in the market for a new one since everything else is in place. If you keep yours, just put battery cables and clips on it for the rare moment you might use it.

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 9, 2009

Mike
A 1000W inverter really doesn't give you much unless what you need is a source of modest Ac power to run an appliance infrequently. With a 1000 w inverter, you won't be making hot water (showers). Most draw 10+ amps at 110VAC which converts to over 1000W regardless of whether the power source is AC or DC so this size inverter, for this purpose, will be inadequate.

In addition, the DC current required will quickly kill your batteries as your electrician inferred.

You would need an inverter double the size plus the battery capacity to run it. Running the engine and std alternator serves to provide only a false sense of security in that no std inverter can provide that load regardless of rpm.

Having said that, my opinion is that is is worth something to have an inverter if only to keep the Admiral happy but not what you quoted. This is a DIY project and can be done for far less than what you mentioned as can a Honda 2000i generator.

You can have a stand-alone inverter not hard-wired which is an easy DIY project; plug it into the shore power input when needed and run two short cables to a decent sized battery bank for far less than $1500. And as you already know, the Honda would be even less.

And obviously, this issue becomes moot if you simply choose to run the engine to make hot water.

larryw · Jun 9, 2009

My Beneteau came with a 2k Xantrex inverter/charger. The only thing I use the inverter side for is to run an older TV/VCR combo and sometimes a bright reading light in the aft cabin. Forget about heating water for showers. I use a Honda EU2000 to charge the house bank (two 8Ds) and heat water thru the AC, but only one function at a time. (charge for one hour, heat water for 30 minutes). What I like about that unit is the equalize function. Keeps the batts up to snuff for a couple extra years.

txtowman · Jun 9, 2009

well, I use an inverter every day on my boat. some things just work better on house current.

I use a compact flourescent bulb in a portable clamp on light most of the time, it's brighter and can be adjusted/relocated to provide excellent lighting. it was about $10 at H depot.

I run my laptop on the original cord, its charges faster and uses less amps than the dual mode charger that was $100+.

I use a cheap 120 volt fan instead of a 12 volt because when it craps out it can be replaced for WAY less than a 12 volt one.

I use the microwave a lot more than the propane stove(portable).

my vhf radio came with a 120v charger? Go figger!

This said I am on a much smaller boat. and I use the inverter just the way described, but I bolt the cables on, carry a dedicated battery for running these items.

and if I think I will run out of juice I will carry the honda and a charger, as I can't get a satisfactory charge from the 12v hookup on the honda.

the honda 2000 is probably the best investment I have made in the last ten years.

txtowman · Jun 9, 2009

equalize function?

Stu Jackson · Jun 9, 2009

Mike, it all depends on how you use your boat

Ron and Don explained the limits of the SIZE of your inverter. It won't make hot water because the elements inside the hw heater are 1,500 watts which is, what, 500 watts bigger than your inverter.

twto mentioned his different application and he does use it, while Larry mentioned a different unit than what your have: a combined I/C (like the Freedom 15 I have).

We like ours and specifically selected it to run the microwave that the PO had installed. It makes cooking, and lunch prep a lot easier. We really like it and use it a lot.

I designed it in as part of my electrical system. Since it's a combo unit, it has its own internal switching to avoid having the shorepower and inverter on at the same time -- a very bad thing for your boat's electrical system if you've wired it in.

So, Mike, you've got a pretty good smattering of yeas and nays - - your boat, your choice.

Stu Jackson · Jun 9, 2009

Equalize?

txtowman said:
equalize function?

Yes, I had the same question. Maybe it's just the sentence structure.

Hey, Larry, help us out here....

sailingdog · Jun 9, 2009

It depends on what you use the boat for. If you have a need for a laptop or other electrical devices that are 110 VAC powered and relatively modest in terms of energy usage, then adding the inverter might be a good idea. Also, it might be useful if you have cordless tools and such which are used to work on the boat...

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 9, 2009

Stu Jackson said:
Yes, I had the same question. Maybe it's just the sentence structure.

Hey, Larry, help us out here....

"equalizing" is a term used to describe the process of lowering internal resistance of batteries by controlled over-charging them for a limited period, the result of which will prolong the life of a battery. Many inverters also have a charger function incorporating an equalization function to which he referred but it is really a function of a charger, not an inverter.

Joe A · Jun 9, 2009

Honda

I love my Honda generator.

Tom Spohn · Jun 9, 2009

We use ours much the same way as Txtowman. A microwave, for example, pulls a lot of current, but for just a short time. Our inverter is 1750 watts connected to 245 amp/hr battery bank. I think 1500 watts is the minimum I would install as things like microwaves and coffee pots will use this much. You can minimize wire runs if you install the unit near the batteries. Mine, for example, is on the other side of the bulkhead from the batteries and uses less than two feet of wiring. Try to minimize the length of the DC wiring and make the AC side longer. If you already have AC outlets installed that run on shore power you can insert a switch to cut the shore power side and activate the inverter. The installation costs you quoted seem very high to me. Can you consider DIY?

Ron20324 · Jun 9, 2009

I had to shop around, but I found a B&D coffee maker and microwave that work on less than 1000 watts.

Stu Jackson · Jun 9, 2009

Don S/V ILLusion said:
... but it is really a function of a charger, not an inverter.

Don, you know that we know what equalizing is, it was the sentence in the referred link that made no sense to me or to twotweet.

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 9, 2009

I never looked at the addressee Stu and simply thought it was a q regarding the terminology. Sorry if I implied you didn't know.

Looking at the post more closely, I can now understand the real intent of your question - apparently being the implication he is equalizing batteries off the H generator.

"My Beneteau came with a 2k Xantrex inverter/charger. The only thing I use the inverter side for .... I use a Honda EU2000 to ..... What I like about that unit is the equalize function. Keeps the batts up to snuff for a couple extra years."

Stu Jackson · Jun 9, 2009

Yes, I agree

that it appears he's referring to the I/C, like our Freedom 15, which CAN equalize. Interesting he doesn't mention a Link, because you need a Link 1000 or 2000 to make the combo Freedom I/C equalize the bank(s).

Thanks, Don, I think we nailed it.

The best investments I've made in the past ten years? our Blue Circle 100A alternator and regulator in addition to our Freedom 15 I/C

HOWEVER

The MOST important thing anyone can have is a BATTERY MONITOR.

The Link 2000 we have "came with" the Freedom, but I waited (stupid, stupid, dumb, lazy) seven years to put the Link in. Shoulda done that first!

We still love the inverter. I used it when we first installed it to rebuild a useless hanging locker into useful movable shelf storage with power tools AT ANCHOR!

Joseph Shirley · Jun 9, 2009

Well it sure has been worth it to me.

I have a 2500 Watt true sign wave inverter with a 150 amp multi stage battery charger on 650 AH worth of batteries. I have it on 24/7 pier-side, at anchor, or underway. It has a battery voltage monitor with three different voltage/time set points, and when the batteries drop below any one the set-points or the demand is excessive it starts my diesel genset automatically.
I don't use it for heating water, as I have a tank that I use when tied to shore-power or underway when it is heated by engine coolant. When on anchor for extended periods I have a propane instant water heater that I use.
Beside using it for a battery monitor, Microwave, Toaster , Coffee Maker, Kitchen Mixer, extra AC lights, power tools, and a portable freezer/refrigerator, I use it to drive my 600 GPD AC water-maker. I have had it running constantly and just recently after about 12 years it has a short in the battery charger side, so I have to pull it to have it serviced. I have become so dependent on it that I really don't know what to do without it.

Have fun

Joe S

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 9, 2009

Mike
The genset to which I and others referred is a 110VAC generator, either diesel or gas, can be hard-wired or not (plugged in when needed), can be a big 10KW or more diesel weighing a ton or as small as a portable 1800W gas Honda portable weighing 50 lbs. Cost can range from big to as little as $860 for the Honda 2000.

Joseph Shirley · Jun 9, 2009

A genset is an engine powered ac generator. My genset produces 3500 wats of AC and is powered by diesel. It's built in. See the picture.

Have fun

Joe S

Is Inverter Worth The Hassle?

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