[C320-list] Installing an inverter

Thu Mar 5 11:38:51 PST 2009

My Honda 2000 seems to run everything but my Marine Air 12,000 BTU. I have a 
short cord, but still can't start the AC. Any Ideas ?  Sam Weston. Mariah 
585.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Seastream" <robert.seastream at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 5:55 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter


> Precisely why we'll be using a 'very' short pigtail to plug into the 
> shore power connector.
>
> Bob Seastream
> Intuition # 906
>
> On Mar 4, 2009, at 8:47 PM, Allan S. Field wrote:
>
>> A trick I learned from Orlando: Using the 50 foot power cord that  came 
>> with the boat, I could not power the Air Conditioner.  But I  bought a 12 
>> foot cord and all works fine.
>>
>> -----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 7:14 PM
>> To: C320-List
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter
>>
>> One more thing on these...there's no need to put them on the swim  step 
>> to run....get a piece of indoor-outdoor carpeting, and put in  the space 
>> going out to the swim ladder with the exhaust pointing out..
>> ----------------------------------
>> Regards,
>> OD
>>
>> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Airis" [rairis at comcast.net]
>> Sent: 03/04/2009 04:07 PM PST
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter
>>
>>
>>
>> We bought our honda EU2000 from a internet site called   steadypower.com. 
>> The
>> cost was around $750.00 The unit works great, and stores in the aft
>> starboard locker. Great for the little things too  ,like hot water  in 
>> the
>> morning in 15 min. You can hardly hear it running
>>
>> Bob & Sheila........Hale Kai 2
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Seastream" <robert.seastream at comcast.net>
>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:25 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installing an inverter
>>
>>
>>> We think a generator is the most efficient solution.  We're about to
>>> bite on the Honda EU2000i, but are considering the Honda EU200i
>>> 'companion' instead.  Both generators have two outlets, but the
>>> 'companion' (so called because it can be paralleled with the original
>>> for double the output) has a twistlock outlet as its second outlet.
>>> Other than that, and lacking the 12 VDC charging outlet present on  the
>>> original, the two appear identical, although the 'companion' is $100
>>> more.  I just need to ensure that the twistlock is live when the so
>>> equipped generator is run as a standalone.  I'll run a short pigtail
>>> from the generator to the shore power connector.  I plan to install
>>> fittings on the portside swim platform to pass a web strap through  and
>>> around the generator to secure it.  It'll be stored in the starboard
>>> side locker when not in use.
>>>
>>> The units are $995 and $1095 locally.  I've heard of an internet  store
>>> (Wise sales?) that has them cheaper, with free shipping.
>>>
>>> Bob Seastream
>>> Intuition # 906
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mar 4, 2009, at 11:29 AM, <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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>