[C320-list] Installing an inverter

[Chef Adam Weiner]

The visual of a Fisher-Pranda taking a dump is something I can't fathom.

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:33 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter

You can always use a 12v charger for your BB...they sell one you can use in
the car.. :)

Btw....I'm using my Honda 2000 as a back up on c l 3....just in case my
Fisher-Panda takes a dump....it's a great unit that can make your cruising
almost decadent--it was the most worthwhile purchase I made for the 320
----------------------------------
Regards,
OD

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Culbertson [billculb_a2 at yahoo.com]
Sent: 03/04/2009 07:57 PM PST
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter



Soooo... having ribbed about using 110v for microwave cooking instead of the
stove, I DO have a small 140W inverter for the laptop.  It can plug into the
12v cigarette lighter socket on the navpanel.  The 140W is enough for the
laptop.  Then overnight I use it to recharge the blackberry.  So absolutely
I agree with the handiness of an inverter for that stuff.  I also have the
Honda EU2000i generator which I take on trips.  I use that as others have
said for quiet battery charging and quick hot water (as opposed to running
the engine) and it's available for other 110v uses as well.  But I don't
fire it up to use the laptop or charge the phone.

IMO little inverters are great, no question.  BIG Inverters get complicated
quickly (heat, big DC wiring, battery drain).  If you run the BIG inverter
and then run the engine to bring the battey back where it should be, you may
be in the same ballpark as running the generator for the 110v in the 1st
place.  And the battery cycling takes its toll on the battery.  Also with
the generator, you'll never have a "battery too low to start the engine
situation".  If you run the battery down that far, you can fire up the
generator to recharge the battery.

I do as Orlando described - I set the generator on deck amidships aft of the
wheel with exhaust pointing aft essentially under where the helm seat would
be if it were installed.

 -bill




________________________________
From: Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 1:33:31 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter

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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