[C320-list] Installing an inverter

[Dean Vermeire]

Exactly why I don't have an inverter yet.  I haven't gotten to the point 
where the need is so bad to be worth the cost.  However, getting the 
propane tank filled is more of a pain these days.  Recharging the 
battery is painless.

Also, it is not just about the microwave.  I don't have a 
propane-powered blender or docking station for my laptop.  I could start 
getting 12V blenders and adaptors, but it seems worth looking into an 
inverter.

My Boy Scout troop leader when I was a kid had a generator so he could 
watch the big game while on camping trips, which always seemed stupid to 
me.  I do agree with you on that one.  That's also why I see no point to 
having a cell phone onboard, since nobody will deliver a pizza to the 
middle of the lake.

Bill Culbertson wrote:
> Ok I'll be the one to say it.  And I mean this as a gentle ribbing only
>
> We use the microwave when we're at dock on shore power but we use the propane stove when AC power isn't available.  I can't think of much that the microwave can do that can't be done using the stove or oven.  
>
> A friend of mine was taking some middle-school boys camping and they were planning to pop popcorn.  One of the boys wondered where they'd plug in the microwave.
>
>  -bill
>  Harmony #859
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 12:12:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter
>
> Hi Jeff,
>
> Definitely food for thought.  We sail on a lake in Kansas, where we are 
> really never very far from the Marina.  We like to anchor out, but we 
> lose the electricity.  I'm not sure what that is worth to me.  Cheaper 
> is better, in many respects.  Perhaps I'll just trail a big ol' 
> extension cord behind me.  :-)
>
> I'll have to check out the better inverters and the generator.  I could 
> use that other places, as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Dean
>
> catalina at thehares.com wrote:
>   
>> Hi Dean,
>>
>> 1) I'm not sure about the startup load on the microwave, but it might need
>> to be over 2kw peak.
>>
>> 2) The modified sine wave can be done but is not a great idea for the
>> Microwave, especially if you're only running from batteries. Here's why:
>> While a microwave will function from a modified sinewave inverter, the
>> performance of the microwave will be very slow and gets even worse as the
>> battery supply voltage drops. (e.g. to boil one cup of water on a modified
>> sinewave inverter might take around 2.5 minutes while drawing around
>> 100+amps DC, compared to around 30 seconds with a pure sine wave inverter
>> also consuming 100+amps DC).  As your batteries voltage drops, the inverter
>> will attempt to take more and more current to keep the output RMS voltage
>> around 110+ AC.
>>
>> You might be better off getting one of those tiny nearly silent Honda
>> portable generators like the EU2000i, putting it on the swim platform when
>> you need AC.  It's less expensive than a sine wave inverter and will solve
>> virtually all your AC needs under way.  You'll save money as well, but at
>> the cost of a slight bit of inconvenience to plug in and start the
>> generator.  Before ruling that option out, you might want to visit a dealer
>> and hear just how quiet they are.
>>
>> 3) Yes. The closer to the batteries the better, however, you can run heavy
>> expensive cables (like what feeds the starter) and mount the inverter
>> elsewhere.  The voltage drop at 100+ amps is significant.
>>
>> -Jeff
>> #809 
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:03:30 -0600, Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us> wrote:
>>   
>>     
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I'm thinking about installing an AC inverter to be able to run the
>>> microwave, etc. when not in the marina.  I know a number of you have
>>> done this.  I've done a little homework, but there is a reason I did not
>>> major in electrical engineering.  So, I have a few questions:
>>>
>>> 1.  How many watts?  I figure I should have at least 1200 continuous.
>>> 2.  Are the ones with a modified sine wave good enough?  I wouldn't
>>> think the microwave would care too much.
>>> 3.  Where should it be installed?  I've read that you should install it
>>> close to the batteries, but those are on the starboard side and the
>>> microwave is on the port side.
>>> 4.  Any particular brands to avoid?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Dean Vermeire
>>> Moonstruck II (#847)
>>>     
>>>       
>>
>>
>>   
>>     
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