Inverters

[dtfeld]

Looking for feed back on inverters. Seems there are several good options, Magnum, Xantrex, Aims Power, and a host of smaller companies. Who owns what and what are the pros and cons?

From a sizing standpoint, I'm looking to run the TV's, coffee maker, microwave and the outlets. I've run the calculations and could "get away" with a 2000w but a 2500w-3000w would give some head room. Anybody install anything larger or wish they had gone larger?

I'm considering the Magnum MS-2812 2800w and a Xantrex XC-2000 2000w as the 2 front runners

 

[The Bill Collector]

We have a Xantrex 4000 w/remote and it has been trouble free for the past 8-10 years...

 

[dtfeld]

We have a Xantrex 4000 w/remote and it has been trouble free for the past 8-10 years...

What do you use it for? Do you run an AC off of it? What batteries are powering it? House bank? Dedicated?

 

[The Bill Collector]

What do you use it for? Do you run an AC off of it? What batteries are powering it? House bank? Dedicated?

Ours is wired into the 120v portion of our electrical panel. All 120v power, shore, gennie, inverter all goes thru the inverter. The unit is mounted on the port wall forward of that engine. The 4 dedicated batteries are on the ER floor in two double boxes at the forward end of the engines. The batteries are wet 6v golf cart batteries and currently, they are Kirkland-Costco brand with 6 years on them... No AC as it requires 240v on our boat.

 

[carterchapman]

David - I would think down here in the SE you would always have your genny on for the AC...at least that's how it was on our 340 and 410. We have to run it all the time on the 58 for the refrigerators/freezers...

 

[dtfeld]

David - I would think down here in the SE you would always have your genny on for the AC...at least that's how it was on our 340 and 410. We have to run it all the time on the 58 for the refrigerators/freezers...

Not sure how your was, but mine is pretty loud and vibrarion is appearant. I've already spec's a new larger 2 stage muffler, but wonder if the vibration mounts are worn out.

 

[ttmott]

David,
This is from a post I did on my inverter install on my 400DA. It worked very well and the transfer switch was completely seamless. It was a Xantrex 1.8KW modified sine wave; I had to install two as the first failed after two years. Heed the cautions and make sure the neutral conductors are also carried over and not mixed with the non-inverter systems.
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/adding-inverter-to-2007-310-sundancer.81883/#post-925138
Now, I'm getting ready to install an inverter/charger on my 52DB; it will probably be the Magnasign 2812 or Victron Multiplus but I plan to change the boat's batteries to Lithium Ion which will give much more usable AH for a given battery size and will be the last batteries the boat will need; at least for as long as I'll have it (15 year life). FYI, Mastervolt makes a LI battery that can provide 1000 Amp cranking power. My baseline is everything AC powered on the boat will be on the inverter except for the HVAC, water heater, davit, washer/dryer, and Watermaker; it was simply too big of a nut to crack to have air conditioning and making water on batteries. The big objective is to be able to leave the boat at anchor for at least two days and have all of the freezers, refrigerators, and ice maker continue to operate. The second significant thing is I will install an Automatic Generator Start (Magnum ME AGS-N) so when the batteries discharge to a programmed point the generator starts and recharges then shuts down.
Tom

 

[dtfeld]

David,
This is from a post I did on my inverter install on my 400DA. It worked very well and the transfer switch was completely seamless. It was a Xantrex 1.8KW modified sine wave; I had to install two as the first failed after two years. Heed the cautions and make sure the neutral conductors are also carried over and not mixed with the non-inverter systems.
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/adding-inverter-to-2007-310-sundancer.81883/#post-925138
Now, I'm getting ready to install an inverter/charger on my 52DB; it will probably be the Magnasign 2812 or Victron Multiplus but I plan to change the boat's batteries to Lithium Ion which will give much more usable AH for a given battery size and will be the last batteries the boat will need; at least for as long as I'll have it (15 year life). FYI, Mastervolt makes a LI battery that can provide 1000 Amp cranking power. My baseline is everything AC powered on the boat will be on the inverter except for the HVAC, washer/dryer, and Watermaker; it was simply too big of a nut to crack to have air conditioning and making water on batteries. The big objective is to be able to leave the boat at anchor for at least two days and have all of the freezers, refrigerators, and ice maker continue to operate. The second significant thing is I will install an Automatic Generator Start (Magnum ME AGS-N) so when the batteries discharge to a programmed point the generator starts and recharges then shuts down.
Tom

Tom I've read a large number of your posts (maybe all of them, I search by your name) on the inverter subject and already have your schematic printed out sitting on my desk! Thank you for the info!! I am leaning toward the MS2812 myself, buy trying to decide if I need the AGS. We dont leave the boat unattended that long at least at this juncture, but we may in the future. I have similar needs from an inverter. Thanks for posting, I was looking for that post on how you handled the wiring on the MDP.

I also have be reading (and re-reading) your "Save your transmissions" posting. I have been researching the Chetco G2 that I think might fix some of the shortcomings of the Noland RS11 unit you ran into. I spoke to the owner and he had a newer version coming out with some new features/capabilities and also inexpensive Fuel Flow meters (around $400/pair).

Keep us posted!

 

[carterchapman]

Not sure how your was, but mine is pretty loud and vibrarion is appearant. I've already spec's a new larger 2 stage muffler, but wonder if the vibration mounts are worn out.

I did not have a sound box on my 410 genny, but it didn't bother me that much that I wanted to spend $1800 for one!!

 

[dtfeld]

I did not have a sound box on my 410 genny, but it didn't bother me that much that I wanted to spend $1800 for one!!

Amen! But its not something I want to hear early or late either!

 

[dtfeld]

Oh Hell!! Lets just sell it now and upgrade to one with a sound sheilded generator and and inverter already installed!

Gotta be cheaper right?

 

[ttmott]

Tom I've read a large number of your posts (maybe all of them, I search by your name) on the inverter subject and already have your schematic printed out sitting on my desk! Thank you for the info!! I am leaning toward the MS2812 myself, buy trying to decide if I need the AGS. We dont leave the boat unattended that long at least at this juncture, but we may in the future. I have similar needs from an inverter. Thanks for posting, I was looking for that post on how you handled the wiring on the MDP.

I also have be reading (and re-reading) your "Save your transmissions" posting. I have been researching the Chetco G2 that I think might fix some of the shortcomings of the Noland RS11 unit you ran into. I spoke to the owner and he had a newer version coming out with some new features/capabilities and also inexpensive Fuel Flow meters (around $400/pair).

Keep us posted!

I'll look into the Chetco G2 to see if I can gin up something to replace the SR Systems Monitor; mine is bad.
Regarding the MS2812 - it is capable of switching 220VAC (2 - 110VAC legs out of phase) which I need. For your application you can bridge the two 120VAC on the input and output of the unit which will serve you perfectly (I believe they describe how to do that in the instructions). I like the Magnum products as they are so well integrated and adjustable. BTW I believe they are now owned by Brunswick as is Blue Seas, Marinco, and Mastervolt…...

 

[dtfeld]

Tom:

The systems monitor panel is a tough animal. The G2 has 12 channels for alarms is my understanding, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around the details. I going to buy one and see how it works.

First order of business is to get accurate Tach's. Adding the rest of the sensors and transmission monitoring is high on my to do list. I'll have to look at the SR Systems monitor and see what can be covered.

 

[carterchapman]

I t

Oh Hell!! Lets just sell it now and upgrade to one with a sound sheilded generator and and inverter already installed!

Gotta be cheaper right?

I told you that in another thread!!! LOL!