Power Inverter Location

[Doug J]

I'd like to get safety tips regarding the installed location of an 1800 watt inverter.
I installed one right next to a 12 volt deep cycle battery, inside the closed aft compartment. Later I read it might not be best practice to have the inverter in the same compartment as the battery.
Is there danger of explosion? Is corrosion an issue?
I'd like to know if others have their inverter installed in the battery compartment - any issues?

I like the inverter where I have it installed, good utilization of space. But I will move it, if it's recommended.

Bottom line - Is it safe?

 

[Bill Roosa]

read the manual, it should indicate that the inverter is (or is not) safe to use in explosive atmospheres. With that said, hydrogen is much lighter then air and as long as there is decent ventlation in the battery box area you should be fine as long as the inverter is not directly over the battery box.

 

[Doug J]

Thanks Bill! I've decided to be on the safe side, I will move the inverter to the other side of the boat away from the battery. When I use it on a rare occasion, I will open the compartment door. Also, I'll install vents in the bulkhead for overall air flow.

 

[Doug J]

Here's a few pics of work in progress, all the wires will be cleaned up of course. There's some good space in there to mount equipment. I'll swap places between the charger and the inverter, to get the inverter away from the battery.

I'll use the original bulkhead as a template to cut out a new panel of birch or oak, and will finish it with Spar Urethane that will seal the wood and look great. The original panel has a lot of holes and cutouts for hoses and cables.

 

[Benny17441]

Seems to me that all you would need to do is just relocate the inverter to the same side of the charger. Do check the proper wiring gauge for the extra length between battery and inverter and add a 150A butt fuse to the (+) terminal by the battery. Like I said before anything that you can do to improve air circulation will be worth it. Good pictures and nice clean compartment and installations. Yes the inverter is too close to the battery and with receptacles and a cooling fan that is not likely protected it is a good idea to move it. Today's smart chargers and batteries are more resistant to gassing than in the past but things do fail and that is the eventuality that you are trying to protect against. There are no guarantees but I would be comfortable with that setup.

 

[Doug J]

I'll follow your advice Benny. The inverter already has long enough cable leads on it, don't know the gauge off hand but they are heavy. Must be correct as they look like what came with the unit. I suppose it wouldn't be a problem to put the inverter and charger almost touching each other, would it? I'll need to glue another piece of wood on the starboard side I think to give me enough mounting surface.