I purchased a 88 legend 37 that had a nav station fire. It seemed that lightning hit the mast, fried the charger and control panel and caused a fire. In my restoration of the boat I am faced with choicing a battery charger or an inverter/charger. I know that there is a significant difference between the two. My intention is to do "local" sailing in New England. Is it worth the price difference to have the inverter/charger? If so what size should I purchase since there are many different sizes and manufacturers. Anyone have a favorite?
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rarely used
i am amazed at how rarely we've used our inverter over the course of the past year. we might use it to zap popcorn in the microwave oven when anchoring out, or to power up a laptop computer if its batteries have been on too long, but that's about it. we've tried to go with twelve-volt systems wherever possible (such as the tv and vcr), which makes for a much more efficient use of battery power than running the inverter. a big part of how useful an inverter will be is how big is the house bank of batteries. some friends of ours experimented with using an electric blanket at night, but found that they exhausted their bank before sunrise. the sad reality is that inverters are not good for running heaters, water heaters, et cetera because they waste a good 20% of the DC energy in converting it into AC. the bigger the inverter, the less efficient it is, especially if all you're planning on doing is running a laptop computer.
i am amazed at how rarely we've used our inverter over the course of the past year. we might use it to zap popcorn in the microwave oven when anchoring out, or to power up a laptop computer if its batteries have been on too long, but that's about it. we've tried to go with twelve-volt systems wherever possible (such as the tv and vcr), which makes for a much more efficient use of battery power than running the inverter. a big part of how useful an inverter will be is how big is the house bank of batteries. some friends of ours experimented with using an electric blanket at night, but found that they exhausted their bank before sunrise. the sad reality is that inverters are not good for running heaters, water heaters, et cetera because they waste a good 20% of the DC energy in converting it into AC. the bigger the inverter, the less efficient it is, especially if all you're planning on doing is running a laptop computer.
Inverters
Mickey, As opposed to John, we use the inverter on our 380 frequently. Not only do we use to run the microwave, but also for the coffee pot in the morning. In the summer time, it sure can get warm here in Florida and running a good size fan makes it more comfortable down below without using a lot electricity from the batteries. Also a couple of times I have had to use electric power tools for repairs that were minor, but made life a lot easier (no fault of the boat or manufacturer). We run a Heart 2000 watt fed by a bank of 4 golf cart batteries that have a capacity of 440 amp-hours.
Mickey, As opposed to John, we use the inverter on our 380 frequently. Not only do we use to run the microwave, but also for the coffee pot in the morning. In the summer time, it sure can get warm here in Florida and running a good size fan makes it more comfortable down below without using a lot electricity from the batteries. Also a couple of times I have had to use electric power tools for repairs that were minor, but made life a lot easier (no fault of the boat or manufacturer). We run a Heart 2000 watt fed by a bank of 4 golf cart batteries that have a capacity of 440 amp-hours.
To invert or not to invert
I must agree with Paul. We have a West Marine 1500 inverter (made by Heart) and 4 golf cart batteries on our 35.5 (we also had them on our 34). As far as I'm concerned making popcorn while at anchor alone is enough reason to have an inverter. We also have an AC lamp plugged into it. I'm finding that as I get older, my eyes need more light to see anything and the 12 volt 10watt lamps are just not enough. Another major reason is the more you use a microwave the less you need to use the CNG stove. It's amazing how much CNG you save. A bottle lasts us a full season now. I've got an extra bottle on board that I never seem to use (no, I don't want to sell it). Using very little CNG also addresses the need to change to propane (scarey).
I must agree with Paul. We have a West Marine 1500 inverter (made by Heart) and 4 golf cart batteries on our 35.5 (we also had them on our 34). As far as I'm concerned making popcorn while at anchor alone is enough reason to have an inverter. We also have an AC lamp plugged into it. I'm finding that as I get older, my eyes need more light to see anything and the 12 volt 10watt lamps are just not enough. Another major reason is the more you use a microwave the less you need to use the CNG stove. It's amazing how much CNG you save. A bottle lasts us a full season now. I've got an extra bottle on board that I never seem to use (no, I don't want to sell it). Using very little CNG also addresses the need to change to propane (scarey).
I agree with John
I'd want to have an inverter on my boat - just in case - but if I actually used it 2-3 times a year i was surprised.
I'd want to have an inverter on my boat - just in case - but if I actually used it 2-3 times a year i was surprised.
Creature comforts
We don't use our Heart 2000 on our 380 that often but when we do it sure is nice, Hair drier (for my wife), Electric heater just to take the chill off(for my wife), microwave(for me) you can't have enough frozen burritos and popcorn. And I think it is a better battery chargaer than the boat came with.
We don't use our Heart 2000 on our 380 that often but when we do it sure is nice, Hair drier (for my wife), Electric heater just to take the chill off(for my wife), microwave(for me) you can't have enough frozen burritos and popcorn. And I think it is a better battery chargaer than the boat came with.
Another pro-inverter volt, er.., vote
On our H-35 we also have four golf carts for the house bank. The Heart 1000 inverter is used for hair drier, two 110v halogen articulated desk lamps (6.99 ea on sale at Eagle, great reading lights and good for mood/cabin lighting), and most importantly, the coffee bean grinder (for coffee beans imported from Vienna; this is the Northwest and some of us take our coffee seriously!). If there is plenty of battery power we have the option to use a 600w hotplate to save on CNG. The hair drier can also be used for small drying projects like a glove that got wet. For the elctric drill I use a cordless drill and the inverter is used for charging its batteries (110v desktop battery charger). The inverter is also used for charging batteries of the portable VHF (also a 110v desktop charger). For weekend or longer trips we take along our electric tooth brushes and these use a 110v desktop charger also. The built-in 50A (at 12 v) battery charger equalizer setting is used once or twice a year to keep the batteries in good shape. This may not be available on cheaper battery chargers. Microwave: Our plan is to get a 600w Samsung digital microwave (M/N 3250 - just fits over the aft cabin hanging locker (9-5/8" high). The downside is the potential for electric shock from the 110v circut when shorepower is disconnected and one forgets the lines are still live. A couple times I've disconnected the shorepower to plug in the pressure washer and forget to turn off the hot water heater! We really like the inverter and my wife feels like she's really pampered (after about 7 years without one). Would I do it over again? Yes, but I'd get at least a 1500w unit. Battery cables: Use 00 around the battery compartment, including ground and master switch.
On our H-35 we also have four golf carts for the house bank. The Heart 1000 inverter is used for hair drier, two 110v halogen articulated desk lamps (6.99 ea on sale at Eagle, great reading lights and good for mood/cabin lighting), and most importantly, the coffee bean grinder (for coffee beans imported from Vienna; this is the Northwest and some of us take our coffee seriously!). If there is plenty of battery power we have the option to use a 600w hotplate to save on CNG. The hair drier can also be used for small drying projects like a glove that got wet. For the elctric drill I use a cordless drill and the inverter is used for charging its batteries (110v desktop battery charger). The inverter is also used for charging batteries of the portable VHF (also a 110v desktop charger). For weekend or longer trips we take along our electric tooth brushes and these use a 110v desktop charger also. The built-in 50A (at 12 v) battery charger equalizer setting is used once or twice a year to keep the batteries in good shape. This may not be available on cheaper battery chargers. Microwave: Our plan is to get a 600w Samsung digital microwave (M/N 3250 - just fits over the aft cabin hanging locker (9-5/8" high). The downside is the potential for electric shock from the 110v circut when shorepower is disconnected and one forgets the lines are still live. A couple times I've disconnected the shorepower to plug in the pressure washer and forget to turn off the hot water heater! We really like the inverter and my wife feels like she's really pampered (after about 7 years without one). Would I do it over again? Yes, but I'd get at least a 1500w unit. Battery cables: Use 00 around the battery compartment, including ground and master switch.
Inverter
We have a Heart inverter system on our boat. Although it's not used that much it's nice to know it's there when I need it for the Microwave, re-charging my cell phone, laptop etc... I also like the 4 step battery charger and the equalization feature (hard to find on a standard battery charger). One other thought is that someday you may want to sell your boat. It'll probably be a nice feature to offer prospective buyers at that point.
We have a Heart inverter system on our boat. Although it's not used that much it's nice to know it's there when I need it for the Microwave, re-charging my cell phone, laptop etc... I also like the 4 step battery charger and the equalization feature (hard to find on a standard battery charger). One other thought is that someday you may want to sell your boat. It'll probably be a nice feature to offer prospective buyers at that point.
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