Current Inverters and Chargers - Lay of The Land 2020

[Chotu]

One of the first things I need to do when I get back to the catamaran is get an inverter and the rest of my solar going.

I’ll have 1400 watts of solar (currently 700 installed and running). I currently have 440ah Trojan T-105 batteries. I also have another 440ah Concorde Lifeline batteries. Not installed, but considering. However, I want to keep the weight off so may stick with 440ah and little battery draw or potentially 660ah.

I plan to run an energy star, refrigerator-only refrigerator and a very small hardware store chest freezer from an inverter on this boat.

One of my core design philosophies is using air cooled items to avoid through hulls (there are none so far) and to have easily replaced, less expensive items that one can pick up anywhere and not put too many hours in fixing when they break.

Yes, I’m different. LOL. Let’s not go off topic debating my choices for systems. This is just electrical.

Another thing I’m trying to do is cycle my batteries less and get away with a smaller bank. Run the dishwasher, clothes washer, whatever loads during the day when solar is producing. Go to a low energy mode at night when it’s just the batteries. This mode will run led lighting, anchor light, nav lights, (all led) and the refrigerator and freezer at night.

I also need to run some forced air breathing, power tools, lights, etc, during construction in place of all those items above.

So. The first task when I get back will be getting a new inverter. It would be the heart of the boat’s electrical system and will be operating at all times. I’d like the efficiency and precision of a pure sine inverter.

Questions: is there a huge difference in standby (idle) consumption with a 2kw vs 3kw pure sine inverter?

What are some 3kw inverters people are happy with right now that have lasted years?

Do you recommend oversizing the inverter or right sizing it?

I’m looking at maybe a new battery charger. I have an Iota 75 watt charger that works great still. Should I be looking at combo inverter/chargers, or am I risking too much “single point of failure “ by doing that?

[Chotu]

Please delete this thread. Too wordy, I guess.