[C320-list] Inverter - follow-up questions

[Robert Seastream]

It's still winter up here, so we haven't used the generator onboard  
yet.  It's actually called (correctly) an 'inverter' because its'  
final output is a quality sine wave (rather than a choppy square wave)  
60 Hz power source.  Computers, TV's, and other sensitive electronic  
devices perform best with such a power source.  Our plan is to run its  
output directly into the stern mounted shore power inlet connector,  
with as short a cable as possible.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906

On Mar 8, 2009, at 9:00 PM, Bruce Stanley wrote:

> Bob
> I like your commonsense approach, more-so with the fact that you put  
> your
> money on it!
> EU2000i 'Companion' Question: besides getting hot water and charging  
> the
> battery bank(s),
> do you run a DVD playing system from it? ... charging cell phones  
> etc, as
> well??
>
> thanks
> Bruce Stanley C320#1084
> Sydney Australia
> ======================
> On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 11:47 AM, Robert Seastream <
> robert.seastream at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> We just bought the Honda EU2000i 'Companion' (has a twistlock outlet
>> alongside the standard outlet) generator.  Paid $1095 US for it at  
>> a local
>> authorized dealer/servicer.  It was about $90 more than two online  
>> sources,
>> but it was oiled, fueled, load bank tested, verified working, in  
>> hand and
>> out the door all in one stop, so we felt it was worth it.
>>
>> We did this because while we've upgraded our alternator/charging  
>> system, we
>> feel that the diesel engines primary purpose is to propel the boat  
>> in lack
>> of wind or while maneuvering in port.  Running it solely to charge  
>> the
>> batteries or make hot water puts excessive hours on the engine and  
>> can be
>> expensive in the long run maintenance wise.  Regarding inverters,  
>> they can
>> place a HUGE current draw on the house batteries, leading to early
>> replacement or worse.  Thus, we felt the generator was the efficient
>> solution.
>>
>> Bob Seastream
>> Intuition # 906