Power Supply

Oct 6, 2010
119
Beneteau Oceanus 321 Carters Pt.
I will be using a medical device on board next season.The unit is AC (120V) power to a 24 V /90 Watt converter then to device.I have a good idea as to what I will need but would like some more input from Beneteau owners.
My question is what size inverter will I need to run this item?
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year
Note days are getting longer!
 

CptnRn

.
Nov 29, 2015
34
Beneteau 311 Austin
I can't answer your specific question, however this website might be helpful. http://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Power.html There is a good chance that company can answer any questions that you have. The company that provided your medical device should also be able to give you some advice. Some universal battery packs are available that will power many medical devices. http://www.directhomemedical.com/cpap-machines-cpap-power-cords.html#.VoBCtvEnrZU This has an advantage in that it won't deplete the charge in your boat batteries.
 
Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
How important is it that this medical device work? I think RN gave best advice consult manufacturer.
 
May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Have seen converters with those same specs being used in CPAC machines and their distributor recommends a 150W inverter with a 12V plug for portability. I would think that if the actual power draw of these units were closer to the converter output specs that a 200W inverter might be more appropriate. Nevertheless I do not know what type of machine it is and what its actual power draw might be, but if it were me I would consider a 400W inverter with dual receptacles. Price wise they might be about $15 more and they are at the threshold where you may still use a 12V plug. This unit would have the advantage of having the capacity for powering other electronics while running your machine. It is recommended that any inverter larger than 400W be hardwired to the batteries and safety fused. Since it is likely that you will be drawing on the batteries while the boat's engine is off it would be nice to find out from the manufacturer what the actual draw of the unit in Amps is at 120V. There might be a label in the machine which provides this information. What I'm leading to is being able to calculate for how long you could run the machine before there is a need to recharge the battery(s). An electrical piece of equipment that draws 1 amp at 120V will draw 10 amps at 12V and with an inverter's inefficiency factor the total draw would be around 11.5 Amps. A single 12V battery may have a safe usable capacity of 50 to 55 Amp/hours so if ran continuously the battery would require recharging after around 4 1/2 hours. Digging deeper into the battery or having additional batteries will extend that time. Also having on board means of recharging like solar panels or generator will extend the time. If the machine only needs to run for short intervals then the amp/hour consumption goes down and the need for recharge during use may not be an issue. Also be aware that in an emergency you could combine two 12V batteries in "series" to power the 24V unit directly without the use of an inverter or the converter, just a clip on cable adapter.
 
Last edited:

CptnRn

.
Nov 29, 2015
34
Beneteau 311 Austin
May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
The writer of this article states that an inverter is more efficient when it is not ran up to maximum. He states this to support his recommendation of getting a larger inverter. I believe this statement is not correct as it has generally been recognized that an inverter is most efficient when the appliance load is matched to the inverter's rated output. I also do recommend a larger inverter for having added capacity as it comes at a very small cost difference but would admit this added capacity would represent a small loss of inverter efficiency. In real life though I find that this loss of efficiency for a draw/output mismatch is insignificant and perhaps within the assigned percentage factor of inverter inefficiency.

Your recommendation that if using a 12V plug to make sure that the socket is fuse protected is spot on and very important.
 
Sep 22, 2013
24
Catalina 30 NOB Norfolk W5CDR
I have purchased a 12v brick for my BiPAP machine and leave it aboard the boat. It's a Resmed machine and a Resmed brick. Seems the most cost effective and simple solution. 120v at home and travel & 12v aboard the boat.

Take care