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Inverter/charger
seahawk
Member Posts: 62 ✭
Would anyone have any comments about installing an inverter /charger in a 280 EC as opposed to just a charger.
I was going to swap out the charger that was original equipment on the boat, with a new ProMariner Pronautic. But before I do that, would there be a reason to install an inverter/charger ( I/C ) instead.
I'm not too 'savvy' with electrical systems so bear with me. Would an I/C be wired into the boat in such a manner that I'd be able to plug AC appliances right into the AC receptacles on the boat.??
I realize the need to keep the House bank charged somehow as an inverter is simply drawing off the house battery stored capacity. The main AC appliances I'd consider using would be a fan, iPad chargers, an a small coffee maker,....and I realize the coffee maker is the "high draw item" that would require a lot of juice.
I also guess that this isnt going to be a simple 'remove and replace' of the existing charger, but that I'm going to be playing with 120VAC, and might want to get a marine electrician to do the install.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
I was going to swap out the charger that was original equipment on the boat, with a new ProMariner Pronautic. But before I do that, would there be a reason to install an inverter/charger ( I/C ) instead.
I'm not too 'savvy' with electrical systems so bear with me. Would an I/C be wired into the boat in such a manner that I'd be able to plug AC appliances right into the AC receptacles on the boat.??
I realize the need to keep the House bank charged somehow as an inverter is simply drawing off the house battery stored capacity. The main AC appliances I'd consider using would be a fan, iPad chargers, an a small coffee maker,....and I realize the coffee maker is the "high draw item" that would require a lot of juice.
I also guess that this isnt going to be a simple 'remove and replace' of the existing charger, but that I'm going to be playing with 120VAC, and might want to get a marine electrician to do the install.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Comments
The previous owner had a slip but being on the cali coast the pulled out the air conditioner when it quit working. They anchored out regularly at the Catalina Island( the effing Catalina wine mixer) and installed power inverter so they didn't have to live in dark ages.
The power inverter was wired into the number 2 input for the breaker panel. So if you wanted to run on the batteries you flipped to the 2nd input and then hit the button to power on the inverter. This way the entire breaker panel ran off the inverter. You just turned off the breakers of the items you didn't want running.
If they decided to connect back to shore power on the #2 panel they just unplugged the power inverter and capped the cord.
This set up wouldn't run the air conditioner but worked fine for coffee, hair dryer, tv etc. Basic creature comforts. The wiring is the easy part, it's the snaking of wires that sucks.
I suck at AC wiring, I specialize in DC systems but I was able to install a battery charger and air conditioner without frying myself.
Ill never use the inverter so I removed it when I reinstalled the new air conditioner system.
https://gilwellbear.wordpress.com/category/boat-technical-topics/electrical-topics/boat-ac-topics/inverters-on-boats/
I have contemplated disconnecting the starboard side AC inputs and wiring an inverter in place of them. It would be a simple install assuming you place the inverter somewhere near the panel (and not in the engine bay where you have ignition protection concerns), but to @PickleRick's point it would require running heavy gauge battery cables which is not very fun.
My motivation would be the ability to run a coffee maker and a toaster in the morning without firing up the genny.
Assuming you can get one of those I don't think it would be too bad, if you can you need another place to install the inverter with large cables back to your house batts. AC should be easy to the panel.