Using generator power system with inverter

[g5665]

hi
sorry if this question was already explained in other thread but i cant find it.

let me explain
our Gulfstar has 4 house batteries, 2 starter bateries, alternator, battery charger, solar panel, Panda generator and shore power connection. We heve a switch to select between shore andgenerator power (or off)
we are full time cruisers, now in Usvi, and we dont use shore power.
the Panda was only used to run our electric stove (for sale now -3 plates Force 10 with oven) but we replace it with a gas one. The Panda is too noisy for us to use for tv or other 110v and we dont use it to charge the batteries.
We dont have inverter, our battery charger is only charger. We plan to replace it soon with a Xantrex Fredoom SW 3012.

The question.
Can i just use the Panda generator connection in the switch to make the power from the inverter enter the electric AC circuit removing the Panda from it?
This solution would save me some wiring and money. The Panda is to be removed from the boat anyway and we dont plan to have generator on board.

Thanks
Joao
Sailing Dee

[40 South]

The short answer is, yes.

However, that Xantrex unit looks like a "pass through" unit. I would wire the shore power to the Xantrex (in series) and get rid of the changeover switch. That way when you use shore power the Xantrex will "sense" the incoming voltage and convert to charge mode allowing the shore power to be used at the outlets. When you disconnect from sure power the Xantrex will automatically take over. You may want to include a "bypass" circuit to allow the use of shore power without the Xantrex unit being active (to allow servicing/maintenance on the Xantrex).

WARNING: Disconnection of the shore power will not stop power at the outlets! Wiring the way I have described above will keep all outlets active all the time!

I had an Outback Marine unit wired this way. It was great.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by g5665

...Can i just use the Panda generator connection in the switch to make the power from the inverter enter the electric AC circuit...

You can. But it is easier to just wire the inverter a/c input directly from the output of your shore power breaker, having it feed through the inverter. Then the inverter's output feeds the a/c hot buss. You must remove the original hot wire from the shore breaker to the hot buss. The generator breaker will be no longer needed.

[smac999]

once you start using the inverter you may wish you had the gen and charger again... inverter will suck the batteries.

also avoid xantrax

[atoll]

beware not all inverters allow pass through!
removing the 2 way a/c switch and connecting to shore power could damage an inverter permernantly wired in that is not an inverter/charger type.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by atoll

beware not all inverters allow pass through!
removing the 2 way a/c switch and connecting to shore power could damage an inverter permernantly wired in that is not an inverter/charger type.

Any inverter with a pass through will have a clearly labeled AC input and AC output.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by smac999

once you start using the inverter you may wish you had the gen and charger again... inverter will suck the batteries.

Yes

Originally Posted by smac999

also avoid xantrax

And YES!!!

[Terra Nova]

Have had exceptionally good service from numerous Xantrax inverters.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Have had exceptionally good service from numerous Xantrax inverters.

had being the key word. now they are made in some 3rd world country and not in north America. the true charge 2 chargers last 1-2 years. the old true charge 1's are all still going strong and I've yet to see one die.