Inverter Location Ideas - Hunter 34

[Tom-in-Annapolis]

I'm going to install a small (600W) inverter and looking for ideas installation location on the Hunter 34.

My batteries are starboard next to the fuel tank. I have an LCD TV mounted on the bulkhead over the nav station. I'd like to have the outlets near the nav station.

Where have others mounted the inverter?

Thank you,

Tom

 

[Stu Jackson]

Tom, are you going to wire the inverter into the A.C. wiring in the boat?

 

[splax]

I have been puzzling how best to install an inverter myself. I believe installing near the batteries is a critical item, so mounting in the space over the ice box (i.e. where the wine glass storage cutout was made) is a good place. A/C wiring can be run, or I am thinking perhaps to plug a cord into the inverter and the other end into an outlet to power the A/C system. (??)

 

[JWC]

As long as you use a wire gauge large enough to limit the voltage drop, inverter location should not be a problem. From the starboard battery location to the chart table is not very far as a near straight run through the rear of the engine bay to the rear of the chart table is possible. A lot of info is available at WWW.smashwords.com Search for Marine Electrics Made Simple or How to Keep the batteries Charged.

 

[RLMahan]

If you are only getting the inverter for the tv, most flat screens are 12vdc units with a built in inverter making them 110vac for home use. You can either remove the inverter and convert to 12vdc or buy a small 12vdc unit. Do a search for 12v tv's and many pop up. Just a thought. There are a few nifty smaller units with a built in DVD which I love.

 

[wufibugs]

Not sure how the 34 is laid out compared by my 31, but I located my old Xantrex 2000 inverter/charger under the portside section of the aft birth. The way Hunter laid out the 31, almost everything that weighs anything is starboard of the centerline, so anything I can put to port, I do. The wire runs from this location are very doable.

 

[Jared1048]

I placed mine on the wall just aft of the engine space right above the drive coupler. Very close to the batteries which was important for a 2500 watt inverter that needed big cables to the batteries.

 

[Kite Runner]

I installed a 400 watt inverter on my 2009 Hunter 36. I positioned it 1' above the battery box on the forward wall in the port side storage locker. I run a CSA approved 20 amp HD outdoor extension cord with a plug that lights up when powered up by the converter. The extension cord runs along the port side conduit to right above the Nav station where I have a 19" TV / DVD combo unit...so, when anchored I employ the converter. The only down side is having to open the storage locker to flip the on/off switch on occasion.

FYI...regarding TV/DVD combos. Make sure you get a unit that has either a headphone or audio out mini plug type connection...then you can, plug it into your radio if it has an audio input. With the latter set up Master & Commander is awesome! Oh, by the way. The cost for the TV/DVD combo, 400 watt inverter, extension cord, and wiring to battery...$225

 

[MrSteve007]

Here's how I installed an 8D battery & 2000w. Inverter in the port settee of my 326. A spare Optima blue top was placed in the starboard side, next to the fresh water pump as an isolated engine starter battery.

 

[Benny17441]

It is true you can extend the roundtrip distance from inverter to battery bank by using thicker gauge wire but laying that copper gets expensive and hard to work with as the distance increases. It is more efficient to extend the 120V output circuit than it is to extend the 12V input one. A simple 120V 15A electric cord extension is inexpensive, light and easy to work with. One can be routed under and behind panels to reach a convenient space near the nav station. Many TVs come with their own power converters from 120V to 12V and one of the functions of this converter is to stabilize the voltage being supplied to the unit. The boat's 12V system may have voltage fluctuations which may exceed the tolerance in some units so rather than risk danaging a unit I have always preferred to supply the power through its converter. You may weigh the pros and cons and choose the best method for yourself.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Tom...

Given that it's a small inverter, I'd put it in the cubby under the companionway--DC battery cable run would be short and it would be an easy reach for the AC power cord from the nav station.

 

[splax]

good analysis

Given that it's a small inverter, I'd put it in the cubby under the companionway--DC battery cable run would be short and it would be an easy reach for the AC power cord from the nav station.

Dan,
Good advice.