Inverters

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Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
Any comments about inverters would be appreciated.

I am possibly looking to have one installed and would like to hear more about them.

Thanks
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,362
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Inverters

and

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...51&catalogId=10001&page=Selecting-an-Inverter

(FYI, West has a separate DIY page in their Advisors tab)

Issues:

Sizing - do the math for your intended use, including battery bank capacity and recharging methods.

Switching: make absolutely sure you cannot, never, ever have both incoming shorepower AND the inverter on at the same time; Blue Seas makes switches for this (one is this: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,833.0.html)

Careful about leaving the charger on when the inverter is on - depends on how you have your AC set up

Pure or modified sine wave - depends on what you're running. We have a 1998 Freedom combined inverter charger with modified and haven't had ANY issues with powering AC anything, including laptops - others report only pure sine wave units will work - your boat, your wallet :)

Location: there should be HEAVY wires from the battery to the inverter, plan ahead.
 
Chuckbear

Chuckbear

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Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
If you are looking for some installation info, I did a post here, http://tinyurl.com/2dcwvop . This of course is for one particular type and does not include a battery charger, but it will give you the basics. Just purchasing and installing an inverter is not enough, you need to take some time and size it properly for your needs. If it is too big and only draws small loads, it will be very inefficient and use lots of extra power. On the other hand, if it is too small, you won't use it and will have constant issues. Chuck
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Chuck Creel said:
There is alot of knkoweldge floating around in the archives.

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=292
Click to expand
Main feature of my old Heart Freedom 20 is that it is a smart 3-stage charger. Simple to install and the inverter feature is a bonus. Replacing the standard remote control with a Link 2000 was a little more work with running wires and installing a shunt. We are very cautious about battery usage so really don't use AC very much.
 
RAD

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
I installed a Xantrex XM1800 a few years back and couldn't be more pleased with its performance.......most of the time its shut off until I need it which is for the TV or microwave and installation was a fairly simple procedure
 
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