Three years ago and just two weeks after we bought our '89 340DA the Norcold referigerator took a crap. We had just place the order for the new swim platform from Swim Platforms, Inc. so a $1400 dual voltage refer was out of the question.
We went to local Fry's store and bought a 110 volt GE that fit the hole where the Norcold was. It has worked flawlessly except for when we are away from shore power or the genny is not running. I have been wanting to install an inverter but I didn't want a big one as I only wanted to power the refer.
A couple of weeks ago I installed a Xantrex Pro Series 1800 watt. It has a built in transfer switch detachable remote panel as well as AC power passthrough.
Our Sundancer had 2, 12 v batteries on the starboard side and 1 on the port side. I removed the single 12 volt and swaped it for 2 golf cart batteries.
The elecrical panel is on the port side as you go down the stairs to enter the cabin. There is also a panel below that that gives access to a large area that gets great airflow. I made a base from 3/4" marine plywood and used 5200 to attach it to the inside of the hull behind the panel. Using SST T-nuts and 1/4" bolts I mounted the inverter after the 5200 had cured for 7 days. The inverter only weighs 9 1/2 pounds so I don't think its going anywhere.
Here is the control panel that comes with the inverter.
I realized that I was going to have enough capacity to also provide power for my 15" LCD TV and the DVD player so I ran new wires up the the v-berth where the TV is located. I had a spare slot in my main breaker panel so I installed a new 20 amp breaker and wired that to the AC input of the inverter. The refer and ice maker were on the same breaker in the panel so I took the wires for the refer and the TV and connected them to the output side of the inverter. The ice maker is now on it's own circuit.
Lastly I ran 2/0 cable from the inverter to the batteries. When I turned everything on it all works perfectly. I now have a refer that works wwhether I am cruising or anchored out and the batteries charge from the charger or the alternator.
This weekend I cleaned up the loose wires and some other odds and ends and I am very happy with how everything came out.
We went to local Fry's store and bought a 110 volt GE that fit the hole where the Norcold was. It has worked flawlessly except for when we are away from shore power or the genny is not running. I have been wanting to install an inverter but I didn't want a big one as I only wanted to power the refer.
A couple of weeks ago I installed a Xantrex Pro Series 1800 watt. It has a built in transfer switch detachable remote panel as well as AC power passthrough.
Our Sundancer had 2, 12 v batteries on the starboard side and 1 on the port side. I removed the single 12 volt and swaped it for 2 golf cart batteries.
The elecrical panel is on the port side as you go down the stairs to enter the cabin. There is also a panel below that that gives access to a large area that gets great airflow. I made a base from 3/4" marine plywood and used 5200 to attach it to the inside of the hull behind the panel. Using SST T-nuts and 1/4" bolts I mounted the inverter after the 5200 had cured for 7 days. The inverter only weighs 9 1/2 pounds so I don't think its going anywhere.
Here is the control panel that comes with the inverter.
I realized that I was going to have enough capacity to also provide power for my 15" LCD TV and the DVD player so I ran new wires up the the v-berth where the TV is located. I had a spare slot in my main breaker panel so I installed a new 20 amp breaker and wired that to the AC input of the inverter. The refer and ice maker were on the same breaker in the panel so I took the wires for the refer and the TV and connected them to the output side of the inverter. The ice maker is now on it's own circuit.
Lastly I ran 2/0 cable from the inverter to the batteries. When I turned everything on it all works perfectly. I now have a refer that works wwhether I am cruising or anchored out and the batteries charge from the charger or the alternator.
This weekend I cleaned up the loose wires and some other odds and ends and I am very happy with how everything came out.