Inverter...

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: Inverter...

With the time for our CD-25 to be built coming, we are trying to plan for what we will want on the boat and have it complete from the factory. We would like to have an inverter (thinking 1000w) installed to be able to use the microwave or a blender when at anchor and not have to fire up the generator. When I visited with the factory today, I was told that they prefer to not install an inverter. I kinda pushed the issue and was told that if I provided the inverter they'd see what they can do.

What have other owners who have an inverter done for install? Any brand that you'd recommend? We have plenty of experience with the use of these (with motorcoaches we've owned) and find them to be a real convenience. Thanks in advance of any guidance you can provide.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject:

Jim, you'll suck a lot of amp hours out of those batteries with an inverter. Not that it can't be done, if you do it, make sure you isolate a battery to get started after you drag all the other ones down. A small genset would be much better to run big stuff. Small stuff, computers, tvs, etc are fine. Microwaves, AC units, etc are too much.

When you're in a motorhome, you're usually near an outlet to recharge. In a boat at anchor, unless you've got a really looooooooooooooooong shore power cable, not so.... Shocked

Chaqrlie

TyBoo · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

I have a small (250w?) inverter on board used only to run the DVD and the knife sharpener (yeah, yeah, yeah, so I can't sharpen a knife. Big deal.) If I was going to replace it or add one, I would get the 1000w that Costco sells for cheap. Those things do pull the amps, but only relative to the load. A microwave for a minute or more would be a lot, but a blender for a few seconds should be fine. To wire it in permanent, you want to oversize the wiring to handle the surges.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject:

I installed a 1000W inverter. I have a GFI single outlet in the galley with a indicator light to remind me that it is on. (The inverter is in the battery compartment in the cockpit). I have two house batteries and an isolated engine battery. Also have a Honda 2000 on board plugged into the shore power outlet. I use the inverter for the coffee grinder in the morning mainly (Yes Bill, I grind my own also)

Les Lampman · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Inverter...

journey on · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

OK, you touched a subject dear to my heart. We had an inverter on the sailboat, and I installed one on journey on. Heres my comments:

1. Get a marinized sinewave inverter. I bought a Xantrec, since I had good luck with their battery charger. 1000 watts is good enough for a SMALL microwave. Squarewave inverters don't work real well with a microwave, because the MW knocks off those sharp corners, and makes a lot of noise doing it.

2. With power, there is the law of supply and demand. You need battery capacity, and the stock ones ain't going to do it. I used 4D's on the sailboat, and it worked. Since space is limited on the 25, I installed 2 ea golph cart batteries on the stbd (right?) battery tray. Made some holddowns, starting with the stock battery tray. 2 golf cart batteries= 1 4D.

3. Electronics doesn't like to get wet. The aft lazerette gets wet, at least in my boat. I installed the inverter above and in back of the water heater, and ran battery cable to/from the batteries, through a switch and breaker. Buy auto battery cable over the internet. Worked for years for me, and it's cheap (compared to WM.)

4. 40 amps is enough to charge the battery. It'll start at 40 amps and then go down quickly to about 20 amps. I installed a 40 amp Xantrex (you're right, stole it off the sailboat when we sold it.) With the charger I can use a Honda 1000 generator (which is good for 800 watts.) The stock battery charger is worthless. When I get rich, I'll get one of those battery monitors, which measure amps, volts, amp-hrs (which is what you're interested in.) Until the just a voltmeter.

5. Wired it up to the 110 outlets (only.) That way it can't be routed to the refridge or hot water heater.

6. Powers the PC when we're cruising and lets us watch TV, Judy doesn't want another microwave (yet.)

Got enough advice yet?

Boris

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Les,
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. It is easy to see why you are so highly regarded here. To answer a few of the questions you posed: yes, I am sure we had inverters on our last three coaches. They were Heart 2000 and 2500 inverters. These were all high-end diesel pushers with plenty of battery reserve (7 batteries). The coaches also had 7.5 kw diesel generators. If we were boondocking (without hookups), it was wonderfully convenient to run the microwave or other small appliances on the inverters. I understand the C-Dory will not have the same battery depth, but to use a microwave for a couple minutes (not long cooking times) or a blender would sure be convenient. If we needed the microwave for more time, I would certainly plan on using the generator (we have purchased a Honda 2000w generator just for this usage).

My apologies if I did not convey the experience (many years, 250,000+ miles) we have with inverters on our coaches. We could run everything in the coach except the airconditioners and washer/dryer on the inverter (those were each wired on separate circuits, not through the inverter). When plugged into shore power, an Intellitec unit would take the inverter out of the system. An inverter wired to one outlet would work on our C-Dory. It's my understanding that we will have several 110 outlets, so an inverter wired to all would be fine, too. I truly don't feature using the inverter for any extended time - just a couple minutes (where the generator would barely have time to warm up/cool down), as necessary.

Perhaps I'm expecting too much? I understand that a 25-CD will not be the equivalence of a high-end motorcoach. I'm just thinking that if we want to heat up some soup (1.5-2 minutes with the microwave) or blend some boat drinks (a few seconds with a Magic Bullet), the convenience factor will justify the costs involved in installing an inverter. We plan to do some extended cruising and want this boat to be our way to sight-see the ICW, Keys, and Great Circle Loop. We don't expect it to be a 40' trawler (because trailerability will be important to us), but we're also hoping to not "rough it" too much. We have plenty of experience on the water (I have a USCG captain's license), but it is mostly under sail. I am truly looking forward to the convenience of an enclosed steering station, the ability to pick a course not based on wind direction, and a view out all the windows; I am sure the CD-25 will provide us all that and more.

Again, thank you for the response and the considerations you offered. I have also visited with El and Bill and admire them for their minimalist approach to their traveling. We purchased the 25 so we could have a few more creature comforts along the way. I hope I have clarified our intended usage.

Best wishes,
Jim B.