Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 22-11-2014, 13:21   #1
Registered User
 
admiralslater's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Toronto summer rest somewhere else
Boat: Outremer 45/pdq36
Posts: 1,169
Inverter draw

I have not dealt with an inverter before and have just had one installed on your boat .My question is does the inverter draw power when it is turned on but there is no 110 demand . and if it does not is there any reason to turn it off
David
admiralslater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2014, 13:45   #2
Registered User
 
S/V Illusion's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FLORIDA
Boat: Alden 50, Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 3,464
Re: Inverter draw

Quote:
Originally Posted by admiralslater View Post
I have not dealt with an inverter before and have just had one installed on your boat.
Thanks but I already have one.

Quote:
My question is does the inverter draw power when it is turned on but there is no 110 demand . and if it does not is there any reason to turn it off
David
yes albeit only a few watts. If it was installed correctly, it should be switched at or near the fuse to simply cut the power source.
S/V Illusion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2014, 13:49   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,479
Re: Inverter draw

Depends.

More sophistocated inverters may only draw a very nominal amount unless there is an actual load. Less sophisticated may draw more. Best to look at the specs of your specific Inverter.

My good old Freedom 20 has a configurable minimum load threshold. Below that load level it does not produce any output except a very low power pulse to check for load. A few years ago someone working on my boat accidently left it on....for 6 months...no loads so no problem. Fine piece of gear, going on 14 years old.

I do still turn mine on just as needed though to manage energy use, especially with guests aboard. The remote control panel is at the nav station, next to my usual cabin, which helps.
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2014, 16:05   #4
Registered User
 
rwidman's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Charleston, SC
Boat: Camano Troll
Posts: 5,176
Re: Inverter draw

Quote:
Originally Posted by admiralslater View Post
I have not dealt with an inverter before and have just had one installed on your boat .My question is does the inverter draw power when it is turned on but there is no 110 demand . and if it does not is there any reason to turn it off
David
The answer to your first question is, yes it does draw current when there is no demand for 120 volts AC. You can check the specifications to find out how much but it won't be a lot.

Many inverters have a remote control switch either standard or as an option so it's not necessary to use a 200 amp rated switch in the DC conductor.
__________________
Ron
HIGH COTTON
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2014, 16:13   #5
Registered User
 
colemj's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Presently on US East Coast
Boat: Manta 40 "Reach"
Posts: 10,108
Images: 12
Re: Inverter draw

It can be a lot of draw - depending. Full sine-wave inverters will draw much more than modified. In standby mode, some of them draw 2.5A with no loads connected. All of them of any useable size will draw at least 1A. One can use load search functions to bring this draw down considerably to ~250 milliamps, but these do not always work well for particular applications.

For example, any wall-wart chargers left in outlets will trip the search mode into full standby power because their transformers draw power even when nothing is connected. Also, things like a microwave will never activate an inverter in search mode to provide full power because its clock doesn't draw enough to activate the inverter.

Search mode adjustment is a fine-balance act that I have never mastered. I just switch the inverter on and off as needed.

Mark
__________________
www.svreach.com

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
colemj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2014, 17:09   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,479
Re: Inverter draw

Quote:
Originally Posted by colemj View Post
....
For example, any wall-wart chargers left in outlets will trip the search mode into full standby power because their transformers draw power even when nothing is connected. Also, things like a microwave will never activate an inverter in search mode to provide full power because its clock doesn't draw enough to activate the inverter.

Search mode adjustment is a fine-balance act that I have never mastered. I just switch the inverter on and off as needed.

Mark
True, its not a perfect solution. Works in my case most of the time, but I do have to flip on a load sometimes to trigger it to sense load.

Small power supplies are evil. Imagine how many bazzilions of kilowatts they waste world wide!
belizesailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
inverter

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
solar newbie inverter question on draw Canibul Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 13 08-02-2014 14:38
Inverter Draw is it relative to the appliance using it or the wattage of the inverter felixqld66 Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 5 06-06-2011 05:50
Separate Charger and Inverter or Charger-Inverter ? SvenG Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14 15-10-2010 17:14
Calculating Amps Drawn Before Inverter and After Inverter ? impi Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 23 26-09-2010 22:24
Inverter Draw When There Is No Load ? SvenG Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 2 20-01-2010 04:49

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:34.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.