Inverter on a boat

[Poseidon]

Lost

I'm not lost guys just trying to take in all the information. I'm going to have to find an easy to print all this info to prepare me for the undertaking.

:grin:

 

[Dave M.]

Slack250,

In preparation, I think you need to have inverter picked out, and in hand if possible. You need to know what you expect it to do, for example, which breakers do you want it to provide power to. You should spend some time in the boat figuring out how to route the wiring, and how and where you will mount the inverter. You should know what the specified wire size is from the battery to the inverter, and where the fuse will be located.

Then, when you have it figured out what it will be like, I think you should go over it with the electrician. If would probably be good to have it drawn down on paper, at least the electrical diagram. It is my experience that the electrician will have his own ideas and way of doing things. Assuming they are reasonable, he should then be able to tell you how to proceed with buying the wire and any other materials, roughing things in, pulling the wire, and so on.

It is important to understand physically where things go, and how they will connect. Where will the new breaker for the inverter be installed in the AC breaker panel? How and where will it be labelled?

For the breakers that will be powered by the inverter, will they be grouped together physically in the panel, or left interspersed with those that are not fed from the inverter?

Will you be installing additional house batteries, or using an existing battery? If using an existing one, how will you connect a 2/0 cable (assuming that is what you need) to it terminals, assuming they already have wires connected. Keep in mind this connection needs to handle on the order of 150 to 200 amps, you want it to be of acceptable quality.

If you are adding new batteries, then how will they be charged? If they will be powered by an engine alternator, will they be wired in parallel with an existing battery, be isolated from an existing battery by a battery isolator, or replace an existing batter?. And you may add a battery selector switch so you can use house batteries only while on the hook, and save your start battery for the return home. Different options for the DC wiring are shown in the Xantrex 1800 manual. But the manual does not show options for the AC side, only written directions.

When you discuss these things, then the two of you will be working in the same direction. Then when it comes time for him to hook things up, there should be no surprises.

 

[skolbe]

My setup is a 3000 watt inverter, that sits under the V Berth - there is a vent cut in the V berth - to let the inverter breath. The batteries are isolated from the rest of the batteries. My inverter is setup strictly to run the A/C. Which is does a good job with. It will run through the night or for about 6 hours during the peak of the day. The batteries sit in the bilge and have the 0 gauge cables hooked up to them.

 

[slack250]

I've already purchased the Xantrex Pro 1800 and will mount it in the aft cabin (build a custom box w/ cooling outlet, etc). I will have to bats for the inverter, and one for the engine (seperate). I'll try to come up with a schematic and go from there!


Thanks!

 

[Sorrento 25]

Here's my schematic. It's all wired up and will be tested this weekend. Hope it works!

 

[Ztbrian]

Just a thought on much of the discussion above.

Gen or not, it's great to be able to turn it off and not lose AC power completely. So in my case (420DA) Both a gen and an inverter fill the bill for me.

Having said that, my old inverter gave up the ghost and so am going to have to buy a new one.

This time I am going to buy one capable of handling my ice maker, tv's, and microvave. Refrig already 12V/120V. I believe not having to run the gen, both because of the noise factor as well as avoiding wear and tear is worth the price of the set up. I may add a two or four more Optimas that I plan to isolate from the four existing batts and put on line only when using the inverter.

Anyone see any problems with my plans?

Thanks.