A serious electrical question

[Graham Lorimer]

My boat is a 2002 460 DA, and try as hard as I might, I am totally unable to run any new cables from the engine room or helm area through to the Saloon.

I would like to fit an Inverter to provide AC voltage to the sockets that power my Televisions, so that when staying overnight in an anchorage and without shore power, Television and or a DVD can be watched without the need to run the Generator.

My thoughts now are to put a small invertor in the Saloon connected to the 12 volt DC Cables that are run to the Distribution Board in the Saloon, my concern is, how big are those 12 volt cables at the back of the DB and would they support a 350 watt 12 / 220 volt invertor?

My boat is 1,000 miles from me at the moment, that is why I need someone to advise.

many thanks

Graham

 

[ttmott]

Graham
i did exactly what you are wanting to do. See post 11 and 13 on this thread http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/57903-Inverter-installation-help-please
Regarding the 12 volt cables, I don't think you can get large enough cables to make that long of a run from the batteries and still stay within the maximum voltage drop at the rated current (at least based upon an 1800 watt inverter like mine): this is why I had to install the inverter in the engine room.Regarding cable routing; on the 400DA's the cabling runs from the engine room over the top of the starboard fuel tank, then behind the starboard storage locker (which can be removed) in the aft head then forward along the starboard side and up into the electrical switch panel. I had to take a lot of things apart to route and secure the wiring but did it.

actually, as an edit after re-reading your post , and running some quick numbers, a small 350 watt inverter which will demand about 31 amps plus margin so let's say 40 amps at 12 vdc and cable runs of 30 feet you could probably get by with 1/0 cables. Sorry I was thinking you were installing some mondo-beyondo 3500 watt inverter...... And, to answer your question, the existing 12 volt feeds to the load panel in the salon will not be enough to handle the existing loads and the inverter.
Tom

 

[MonacoMike]

Many TVs sold today are 12v powered but a converter changes AC to 12v in the "brick". I bought a TV that would allow me to cut off the brick and power by pure 12v. One usually cannot determine this except at the store reading the exact brick you are getting.

This way will use less power from your batteries as it is more efficient than wasting power in the inverter to go to a device that already is internally 12v.

MM

 

[Graham Lorimer]

The televisions are a Samsung LED 30" and LED 24" and they do not have a brick, just the 220 volts plugged straight into them.

 

[OldSkool]

Gents. Lets understand that Graham is in the UK where they run 220 for outlet power. The problem with running remote is you will need to run 220 volts through the boat. Better to have the inverter as close to the appliance or TV as possible to keep the 220 leads short. No matter what size the 12volt cables are they will still be much safer running through the hull than 220V.

tt, I must agree on the size of battery cable for the 350watt inverter.

Graham, look to an electrician in your country for certified installations of your equipment. Sure would hate to see someone get hurt thinking they are working with 110(USA) and not 220(Europe)

 

[Lazy Daze]

This is probably not the most economical of choices, but there are such things as a combination battery charger/inverter. Basically, it's a full-blown, automatic charger that is also an inverter. Check out Pro Mariner's website and look under the "Marine Combi" selections. I believe Charles industries also makes one, and I'm sure their are others. I have not personally used them, but I did contemplate this when my original charger took a dump last year. At least this way, it would be simple and easy to hook up... and every single outlet in your boat would be available for AC. You could recoup some of your money by selling your used charger.