INVERTERS

Zydecomo · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject: INVERTERS

I just purchased a 2200 watt inverter to install on my
Tom Cat this "off season". I plan to install the inverter under the gunnel (weather protected) within 4 ft of the battery as recommended. I then plan to have a plug go out of the inverter and into the shore power plug thus using the AC plugs in the cabin for accessories. Making sure I have a piece of tape on the power cord to remind me to turn off the battery charger. Does this make sense or does someone see me doing something wrong?

Phil aka SPARKY

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

Do you plan to use this underway, at anchor with engines off, or how? This could drain your house battery pretty quickly if it's not being replenished by the alternator(s), make sure you have a separate starting battery that won't go "dry" on you. Otherwise, sounds OK to me....

Charlie

ccflyer · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

I've been thinking of doing the same thing on my "new CD".

Isn't there another giszmo you can use to shut down the inverter before it drains the battery? I use to have something called a "battery buddy" so a low draw wouldn't kill the battery on a classic car.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject:

You don't mention how many house batteries you have. I assume at least two.

I can't think of any reason why you can't run the inverter into your shore power.

Make sure you also turn off the breakers for hot water and the refer.

I have an inverter mounted in the battery lazzerette and ran wiring into the cabon to a dedicated receptical. Also installed a small red indicator lamp so I can remeber to turn it off.

journey on · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject:

I installed a Xantrex sine wave inverter on Journey On. Inverters are great items, and used carefully will not eat your battery. Had a "modified sine wave" (square wave) inverter on the sailboat. More efficient, but made the microwave hum with the square part of the wave. I also put two golf cart batteries in to support the inverter, ~200 amp hrs. Using 1 ga. wires, there is about 25 ft. of run (surprise) between the batteries and the inverter (50 ft round trip) with about 0.1 VDC loss. Works great, but we'll see how dependable it is this summer. Installed seperate battery switch and 100 amp breaker.

I set up the inverter to only feed the outlets. If you hook it into the main input bus, you have to worry about feeding the water heater and even the battery charger (and there is no prepetual motion.) Just wire in the circuits you need. More trouble, but no problem in forgetting to turn off the heater, etc.

Make sure your batteries are deep discharge, and not the starting batteries the factory provides. Interstate RV batteries are cheap, and will last about 9 mos. with daily discharge. I use a 40 amp charger (also Xantrex) for when we're at anchor. Takes about an hr/day to recharge, since there's a steep drop off after the initial current surge.

Good luck, boris

Zydecomo · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject:

Forgot to mention that I will be installing 2 Trojan 6V batts to the house system. I've had very good results with Trojan batteries with my previous solar powered boat. It had 12 6 volt batteries running 2 banks 48V each. I ran the boat for 5 years and the new owner ran it all summer '05. the manufaturer of the inverter recommends as short a DC run as possible.
Phil