I have a few general questions about inverter / chargers. Heart Interface makes a modified sine wave unit. Statpower makes a true sine wave model. The Heart is much less expensive, also has an echo charger built in so seems to simplify the two bank battery charging set-up. The questions are...true sine wave or modified sine wave? Does it really matter? Those of you with modified sine wave inverters installed...are you satisfied with them and would you install then again? Thanks. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
- Status
Heart 1000 Watt
Hi, Dan. We have a Heart Freedom 10 (1000 watts) that we got as a factory option. All we can say is that so far it has run everything that we have asked it to without any problems. That includes; a coffee grinder (absolutely critical!), numerous small power tools, the microwave, and a PC. The PC is probably the most sensitive test. We just turned on the inverter, plugged the PC in, and it just ran without any apparent problems. It works; we're satisfied, and we would buy it again. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
Hi, Dan. We have a Heart Freedom 10 (1000 watts) that we got as a factory option. All we can say is that so far it has run everything that we have asked it to without any problems. That includes; a coffee grinder (absolutely critical!), numerous small power tools, the microwave, and a PC. The PC is probably the most sensitive test. We just turned on the inverter, plugged the PC in, and it just ran without any apparent problems. It works; we're satisfied, and we would buy it again. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
Heart 10
My Heart 10 works just fine. I have to remember to turn the invertor portion off while at the docks on shore power. Several times the shore power has gone off briefly and the invertor tried to run the A/C unit. Makes a horrible racket before the breaker kicks. The A/C motor, not the invertor. Big AC motors don't like square waves. However, my AC fans work just fine on the invertor.
My Heart 10 works just fine. I have to remember to turn the invertor portion off while at the docks on shore power. Several times the shore power has gone off briefly and the invertor tried to run the A/C unit. Makes a horrible racket before the breaker kicks. The A/C motor, not the invertor. Big AC motors don't like square waves. However, my AC fans work just fine on the invertor.
INVERTER
Dan: I'm certainly no expert, but recently ordered a Statpower inverter for my new Catalina 400. Spent a lot of time talking to the dealer's electronics folks to determine my needs. According to them, a "true sine wave" inverter is only critical when using things that have motors (drills, blenders, grinders, etc.). Has something to do with the windings on the motors themselves (see, I told you I'm no expert!) Believe it or not, computers, TV's, etc. run just fine on modified sine wave inverters. I'd recommend you call Statpower (don't have the number but you can find them on the web) and ask one of their experts. As for me, I opted for a modified sine wave inverter and saved almost $1,000! If I really need to use a blender at anchor, I'll buy a small true sine wave inverter. Good luck and smooth sailing...and anchoring w/ AC power! Tim Leighton (S/V "MAGIC")
Dan: I'm certainly no expert, but recently ordered a Statpower inverter for my new Catalina 400. Spent a lot of time talking to the dealer's electronics folks to determine my needs. According to them, a "true sine wave" inverter is only critical when using things that have motors (drills, blenders, grinders, etc.). Has something to do with the windings on the motors themselves (see, I told you I'm no expert!) Believe it or not, computers, TV's, etc. run just fine on modified sine wave inverters. I'd recommend you call Statpower (don't have the number but you can find them on the web) and ask one of their experts. As for me, I opted for a modified sine wave inverter and saved almost $1,000! If I really need to use a blender at anchor, I'll buy a small true sine wave inverter. Good luck and smooth sailing...and anchoring w/ AC power! Tim Leighton (S/V "MAGIC")
Heart Freedom 10
Have used one for 6-7 years. Runs my 110v fridge, blender, and a drill with no problems. Barry
Have used one for 6-7 years. Runs my 110v fridge, blender, and a drill with no problems. Barry
Heart 10
Hi Dan, I bought a Heart 10 Modified Sine Wave Inverter and I use it for everything including a laptop. As I was worried I put an oscilloscope on it and looked at the waveform under various loadings. It was always horrible! So why was it so successful at its job? The secret is that it generates a waveform which has the correct peak value expected by electronic items whilst producing an overall form which other devices such as motors need and anything with a heater requires. From my tests it scored 100%. I could talk dirty about Form Factors,RMS
Hi Dan, I bought a Heart 10 Modified Sine Wave Inverter and I use it for everything including a laptop. As I was worried I put an oscilloscope on it and looked at the waveform under various loadings. It was always horrible! So why was it so successful at its job? The secret is that it generates a waveform which has the correct peak value expected by electronic items whilst producing an overall form which other devices such as motors need and anything with a heater requires. From my tests it scored 100%. I could talk dirty about Form Factors,RMS
Hookup and Safety
Everybody's posts echo my experience with our Freedom 10 and Don Alexander's post makes me feel comfortable about use of the unit with various electrical items. With regard to hookup and safety: 1. These units require a large fuse and fuse block which is expensive, 2. The really good feature is the capability to charge the batteries at up to 50 amps and three-step charging. 3. Check the ampacity of the battery selector switch to ensure it's within limits. Depending on how the inverter is connected there will be 110v power (220v for Don Alexander!) even though the shorepower isn't connected. We've found our hot water heater running off of batteries on several occasions. Last summer we pulled into a slip in Alaska and hooked up to shore power and turned on the electric heater, went up to take care of arrangements with the harbor master, came back to find that I forgot to flip the power switch at the shorepower connection! That was almost a half hour on batteries. One concern I have with my system is when running the microwave (rated at 600w output and more watts for input) it doesn't sound a good as when we're hooked up to shorepower consequently we run it at 70 percent power. When I get some time I'll check the situation out further. Other uses include charging bateries for the cell phone and the cordless drill.
Everybody's posts echo my experience with our Freedom 10 and Don Alexander's post makes me feel comfortable about use of the unit with various electrical items. With regard to hookup and safety: 1. These units require a large fuse and fuse block which is expensive, 2. The really good feature is the capability to charge the batteries at up to 50 amps and three-step charging. 3. Check the ampacity of the battery selector switch to ensure it's within limits. Depending on how the inverter is connected there will be 110v power (220v for Don Alexander!) even though the shorepower isn't connected. We've found our hot water heater running off of batteries on several occasions. Last summer we pulled into a slip in Alaska and hooked up to shore power and turned on the electric heater, went up to take care of arrangements with the harbor master, came back to find that I forgot to flip the power switch at the shorepower connection! That was almost a half hour on batteries. One concern I have with my system is when running the microwave (rated at 600w output and more watts for input) it doesn't sound a good as when we're hooked up to shorepower consequently we run it at 70 percent power. When I get some time I'll check the situation out further. Other uses include charging bateries for the cell phone and the cordless drill.
- Status