Using engine to generate power?

Don S/V ILLusion · Sep 23, 2013

You can run a small inverter from your batteries to power small appliances, however, the power you draw from the batteries needs to be replaced. If not, you will quickly kill the batteries.

If you know how to safely and properly add in the new batteries to the circuit, with proper fues and separate the batteries so as to maintain them independent from the engine start battery, you still have one other problem.

A coffee maker draws a lot of power, even though it only runs a short time. You will need to install the new batteries in such a way as to charge them independent of the engine battery.

agprice22 · Sep 23, 2013

Try looking here for answers. I bought my truck inverter package (2300/4500) from them, and they have a great faq page:

http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter_faq.html

If that doesn't answer your questions, call them, and they will help you. They were very helpful for me in selecting the correct cables, fuse size, inverter size, etc.

I will be using them soon to do the same as you with my new 272!

Enjoy!

Andrew

Panta Rei · Sep 23, 2013

crafikalli said:
so im new to the boating scene and i have a 272le and planning on a trip from Daytona beach to Key west this weekend. i have outlets on board but are only powered from shore power and havent seen any other option to power the outlets. a friend of mine suggested using the inboard motor (Universal M12) to power two added on 6v golf cart batteries wired in series (that would provide 12v) and then connected to a power inverter. i just purchased the Bestek 2000w/4600w from ebay. my question is has anyone ever done something like this or have any advice? any suggestions? i just need enough power to charge phones/tables/laptops. run a coffeemaker perhaps and a tv. on board i have 2 12. ANY help to this new sailor would be appreciated

Yekes!! very little time to engineer this.

First off. Will you be doing the inter coastal? If so, you do not need the golf cart batteries as you will be running the engine all the way. It you plan on sailing, You will need a battery switch in addition to the batteries.

All tablets , Phones, laptops should be powered with car chargers. 12 volt.
Go to the largest truckstop you can find. They will have a good selection of outlets, adapters and pugs. They will also have 12 volt TVs.
Walk right by the 12volt refrigerators. Ice cubes can't start electrical fires.
Don't unpack your Besttek

Your existing engine battery will be fine while you are powering down the ditch. Connect a female 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet to the battery and you are all set. Don't forget to unplug everything when you shut down the engine.

If you plan to sail and watch TV, make coffee, etc. You will need to add the cart batteries and a battery switch . Black (-) to Black (-) and the switch between the red (+) existing engine battery and the red cart battery terminals. Always red to red and black to black. The idea is to disconnect the cart batteries from the existing engine battery while your sailing. You can watch TV until the cart batteries die. Your existing battery , being disconnected from the cart batteries, will be charged and able to start your engine. Reconnect the cart batteries to recharge them. Plan on a many hours to recharge them.
Sell your Bestek 2000/4800 and purchase Sailboat Electrics Simplified and read during your trip. Be sure not to remove or bypass and fuses or breakers on the stuff you by at the truckstop.

Panta Rei · Sep 23, 2013

crafikalli said:
so im new to the boating scene and i have a 272le and planning on a trip from Daytona beach to Key west this weekend. i have outlets on board but are only powered from shore power and havent seen any other option to power the outlets. a friend of mine suggested using the inboard motor (Universal M12) to power two added on 6v golf cart batteries wired in series (that would provide 12v) and then connected to a power inverter. i just purchased the Bestek 2000w/4600w from ebay. my question is has anyone ever done something like this or have any advice? any suggestions? i just need enough power to charge phones/tables/laptops. run a coffeemaker perhaps and a tv. on board i have 2 12. ANY help to this new sailor would be appreciated

Wait one second... I see you mentioned that you are new to the boating scene And you are planning a trip to the Keys this weekend. Traveling the intercoastal takes some knowledge. There are passes that can be very dangerous, BIG traffic. all sorts of danger. Electrical power is the least of your concerns. Do you plan to sail at all? The current runs northward. Do you know how far that is and how fast your boat can travel? Buy one more book. A sail of Two Idiots. It's about a couple that had the same boating experience as you do and did what you are planning to do. I admire there candid admissions. You might not want to repeat their mistakes.

I don't mean to be insulting you. Please tell us more about your boating/ sailing experience. We all want to help but can't just sit by and watch you make a big mistake.

jibes138 · Sep 24, 2013

Why not just bring a small portable generator and you can plug directly into it for AC or you can use it to charge your batteries. Just be careful of carbon monoxide. Don't let the fumes settle inside the cabin.

Panta Rei · Sep 24, 2013

jibes138 said:
Why not just bring a small portable generator and you can plug directly into it for AC or you can use it to charge your batteries. Just be careful of carbon monoxide. Don't let the fumes settle inside the cabin.

I agree. Keep it simple

Richard19068 · Sep 24, 2013

crafikalli said:
i just need enough power to charge phones/tables/laptops. run a coffeemaker perhaps and a tv. on board i have 2 12. ANY help to this new sailor would be appreciated

Forget the inverter and the generator, use the 12v chargers Panta Rei suggests, make coffee on the stove and can the TV.

Just my opinion.

Maine Sail · Sep 24, 2013

agprice22 said:
Try looking here for answers. I bought my truck inverter package (2300/4500) from them, and they have a great faq page:

http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter_faq.html

If that doesn't answer your questions, call them, and they will help you. They were very helpful for me in selecting the correct cables, fuse size, inverter size, etc.

I will be using them soon to do the same as you with my new 272!

Enjoy!

Andrew

Guys please be VERY careful using non-marine inverters in a marine application. Truck or RV inverters often have neutral bonded to case and marine inverters only bond neutral to case when inverting and away from shore power.. Neutral and Earth ground are only ever bonded at a "source" and not on your boat unless the "source" is operating. This means neutral/Earth are only ever bonded on-shore, at an inverter when inverting only or at a generator when generating only.. Installed inverters that tie into the AC system must not bond neutral and Earth when not inverting.

If installing into your ships AC you will need to use an shore/inverter transfer switch or a marine auto-transfer inverter or simply choose not to tie into your ships AC.. Improper inverter installations can be dangerous.

agprice22 · Sep 25, 2013

Good to know! Thanks, as always, you have the BEST info! Interesting, I had never thought about the cross-over from ship to shore systems. I never connect my C22 to shore power, and I do use a small inverter on it, but the whole system is a closed loop. I will keep this in mind when powering and wiring my 272. I think I better check your site for the tutorial!

Thanks,

Andrew

Maine Sail · Sep 25, 2013

agprice22 said:
Good to know! Thanks, as always, you have the BEST info! Interesting, I had never thought about the cross-over from ship to shore systems. I never connect my C22 to shore power, and I do use a small inverter on it, but the whole system is a closed loop. I will keep this in mind when powering and wiring my 272. I think I better check your site for the tutorial!

Thanks,

Andrew

With a stand alone inverter, meaning hard wired to batts and you plug devices directly into the inverter only, there is admittedly less risk.

The problems arise when folks want to hard wire the inverter into the ships on-board AC system. Ideally any inverter this is done with should have a UL 458 with "marine supplement" approvals.

Quite often when doing electrical inspections I find neutral & ground bonded on-board the vessel. This is often caused by non-marine inverters or non-marine chargers being used to save a buck. When away from the dock and not inverting or using a generator there should be no continuity between AC WHITE and AC GREEN..

I believe very strongly that any inverter used on a boat should, at a bare minimum, have surpassed UL 458 and on-top of that be properly wired to current safety standards to avoid accidents or injury.....

Below is a good article that may explain it better than I can. Steve is one of the best in the industry and while he may not be as widely known to DIY's, as Nigel Calder is to the pro's, he is one of the industry guru's..

By Steve D'Antonio
Demystifying the Neutral-to-Ground Connection

Chief RA · Sep 25, 2013

crafikalli: I have a TV, microwave, and electric coffee pot on my Catalina 250. These items are not used unless we are tied up in the marina and on shore power/generator! When at sea think floating camping concepts, not Motel 6!
Chief