Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post - Inverters, AC Power, etc... What would you do?

ssullivan · 17-12-2005, 16:02

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some input on a proper (and cheap) setup for a particular situation involving inverters, AC power, etc...

I have 2 areas that need AC current. One, at the nav desk, where my computer and related equipment is. Nav desk is to starboard, next to batteries. Second, on the port side of the salon, where the TV,DVD, Stereo, Etc.. are being installed into an "entertainment center."

Currently, I have a small 600 Watt inverter running off my house batteries (small bank... only a couple hundred amp hour). This 600 Watt inverter is powering my laptop, computer network, and equipment for my WiFi setup. Wiring runs from an "accessory panel" (DC) to this small inverter, which is located in a compartment where all this electronic stuff is.

On the port side of the salon, I'm basically starting from scratch. The idea is: I would like to be able to run my entertainment center (all AC powered equipment) from the batteries.

Is it better/cheaper to get a 2nd small inverter and run some more DC lines over to the port side (given that the batts are on the starboard side, further aft), or is it best at this point to just bite the bullet and get a real inverter for the boat?

I would like to get the real inverter for the boat, but a couple things make me hesitate:

1) They are expensive
2) Installation sounds like it invoves xfer switches, etc...
3) I would still have to run an AC line over to this port side of the salon since for some reason, it doesn't already have an outet.

So... what would you do?

Small inverter again, with a DC line run, or a ship's inverter with an AC line run?

Thanks,

17-12-2005, 16:02	#1
ssullivan Senior Cruiser Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,530	Inverters, AC Power, etc... What would you do? Hi Everyone, Looking for some input on a proper (and cheap) setup for a particular situation involving inverters, AC power, etc... I have 2 areas that need AC current. One, at the nav desk, where my computer and related equipment is. Nav desk is to starboard, next to batteries. Second, on the port side of the salon, where the TV,DVD, Stereo, Etc.. are being installed into an "entertainment center." Currently, I have a small 600 Watt inverter running off my house batteries (small bank... only a couple hundred amp hour). This 600 Watt inverter is powering my laptop, computer network, and equipment for my WiFi setup. Wiring runs from an "accessory panel" (DC) to this small inverter, which is located in a compartment where all this electronic stuff is. On the port side of the salon, I'm basically starting from scratch. The idea is: I would like to be able to run my entertainment center (all AC powered equipment) from the batteries. Is it better/cheaper to get a 2nd small inverter and run some more DC lines over to the port side (given that the batts are on the starboard side, further aft), or is it best at this point to just bite the bullet and get a real inverter for the boat? I would like to get the real inverter for the boat, but a couple things make me hesitate: 1) They are expensive 2) Installation sounds like it invoves xfer switches, etc... 3) I would still have to run an AC line over to this port side of the salon since for some reason, it doesn't already have an outet. So... what would you do? Small inverter again, with a DC line run, or a ship's inverter with an AC line run? Thanks,