Inverter on a Beneteau

[Syversens]

Hi All, I would like to install an inverter on the boat to get 110 off shore power. not to do anything major but power the microwave and charge some batteries. I think 1000 - 1500 shold be enough after doing some calculations and research. Has anyone installed this ? I'd like to combine replace the charger on the boat with an inverter/charger. Also will a galvanic isolator (got that from a book ) be required ? I'm pretty sure I'll have to upgrade the house battery very soon but if we could get some juice thru the winter we'll be all set for summer.regardsGaute

 

[Mike]

Battery power

Gaute I've only looked into it briefly but believe you'll need more than one house battery to effectively power it. I'd try contacting either one of the inverter manufacturers or check with some of the Ads in the back of Sail/Cruising World etc. for a company that deals with baot electrical systems. Not sure what you'll find by doing a web search but that might be worth a try first. Let us know how you make out.Mike

 

[Larry]

Inverter

I installed a 1000w inverter on my 351. It powers microwave, coffee pot, charges computer, etc. I always run the engine while using the 110v. I did not have to add another battery to make things work. I had a switch installed at the nav-station to isolate from shore power to inverter. I suggest having a techician do the install. Good luck.

 

[Jentine]

You are OK

Install the inverter as close to the batteries as possible. It reduces losses due to heat. Ideally you should have more battery capacity, but that only means that you can run everything longer. I have installed four 6v golf cart batteries for a total of 400 amp hours. I can run everything on the boat, computer, microwave, coffee grinder, drills, saws, whatever on 110 until the 400 amp hours is consumed. You may want to consider installing some means of recharging the batteries such as solar, wind, or a better voltage regulator.JimP.S. The number of batteries isn't the issue, it is the usage. I have a small inverter in my car for extraneous applications.

 

[Syversens]

interesting information

I had a chat with a local marine mechanic, he had some information about calculations that can be done but batteries will not perform miracles on 110V. He did say that they recomend 2*6V batteries instead of 1*12V apparently the 2 6V provide the same amp hours. Not an expert on this, anyone have experience ?Also he said that if you add a new battery to a old the new will not perform better than the old so renew all batteries. This made sense but again, any personal experiences out there ?

 

[Doug_Meyer]

Golf Cart Batteries

I know of a number of owners who have recommended installing 2 golf cart batteries... They seem to last longer and take repeated rechargings.I hope you're no talking about rying to recharge other 12volt batteries from your inverter.I am assuming that you are looking at installing a combination charger/inverter that can be used to recharge batteries while connected to shore power.

 

[Syversens]

inverter for 110V outlets

I'm just wanting to power the 110 outlets on the boat, so we can have a TV, charging DVD and use microwave if we have to. The setup would be to keep the existing charger (that is almost as far away from the batteries as possible) and add a inverter to power outlets only. Two (for now) batteries would replace the house I have now. I also got tips from another source that two 6V is better than one 12.... Now to save up the money

 

[Don]

inverter issues

a few suggestions after reading the previous comments -1 microwave power consumption IS a major use, e.g., a 600w (small) microwave uses 5 amps at 110V which equates to 50 amps at 12V. With a duty cycle of 15 minutes/day and inefficiencies of the system considered, it will use a min of 12 amps but more likely 25 amps. That's 10% of your total capacity if you have only one battery.2.Charging the batteries off an inverter/charger can't work unless you are on shore power3. Galvanic isolators are a good idea anytime you are typically on shore power regardless of whether or not you have a charger or inverter4. Your real battery capacity available for use before damaging the batteries occurs is 50% of their capacity, i.e., 200 amps from a 400 amp bank5. lots of people prefer 6v batteries for easier placement and movement because of their smaller size but there's no free lunch - 2 6 v batteries combine for 225 amps is more-or-less equivalent in size to one large 225 amp 12v battery6. combining old and new batteries isn't a good idea since the old (read - less capacity) battery will actually draw down the better battery7. 400 amp capacity doesn't mean 400 amps useful capacity Drawing down batteries to less than 50% capacity is the fastest way to kill otherwise good batteries 8. Running the engine while using an inverter does only one thing - it provides a faulse sense that you are accomplishing something. A typical 55 amp alternator at 1000 rpm engine speed will produce 10-15 amps max per hour or approx. 2 hrs run time to replace power drained from heating coffee in the microwave considering system losses.

 

[Syversens]

great comments

they all go on my list Don, thanks ! is there a particular size or type galvanic isolator you have experience with or recommend ?the microwave will be chained up when not on power, however I think it will serve a very useful purpose. we wont be getting one in the next few months so there is more research to be done here I see.... thanks again !

 

[Don]

isolators

They are all equally effective - the biggest differences are $$$ and remote access monitor which I believe is a ABYC standard now.It's possible to make your own if you know how but for the typical price of $100 - $150, it's not worth it as the components, heat sink and waterproof housing will total that much anyway.If you don't plug in constantly at the dock, it's probably not worth it unless you are experiencing lots of corrosion and loss of zincs.

 

[Syversens]

got an inverter and galvanic isolator

the manuals on it seems pretty easy to install. I'm thinking I might be able to do this myself but if anyone has feedback on the difficulties of this let me know. The inverter unfortunately does not have a shorepower sensor so I'll have to make some system to manually disconnect the inverter when it will be used, both have remote monitors as well as a switch for on off (not disconnect 110) for the inverter.Installation tips appreciated !