Leopard 40: Inop DC outlets after using 1000w inverter

[gbillman]

2006 Leopard 40. After using a 1000w inverter for a couple of hours (plugged into the outlet above fridge), it quit and check of outlet showed no power. Both DC outlets were found to have no power.

I checked fuse panel in stbd aft cabin and found there was no fuse in the location noted in the manual for "dc outlets." However, an ohm check found 0 ohms at that location, so power is flowing.

Anything I'm missing??

Appreciate any help.

[sailorchic34]

12vDC outlets while maybe rated for 10 amps or 125 watts are in reality generally only safe to about 5-6 amps or 60-70 watts.

Odds are the wires serving the 12v outlet have melted off the back of it. Be glad a fire did not start.

Never use a 1000 watt inverter with a 12V plug. Even a 400 watt inverter should be hard wired and Not plugged in.

[gbillman]

Thanks! Appreciate it. Would that cause BOTH of the outlets to fail??

[gbillman]

Figured it out...the fuse for the dc outlets is not in main fuse block. It is in-line right behind outlet on nav panel...15amp blown.

[gbillman]

Btw...taking your advice sailorchic and installing a 2000w inverter hard wired for the occasional high load requirement (coffee maker, etc).

[foufou]

2000 watts will draw close to 160 amps at 12 volts if my math is correct. That amperage requires big fat wiring. Check wire sizing charts

[Boatwright]

Simple formulas for electrical work:

Amps = Watts / Volts

Volts x Amps = Watts

Amps = Volts / Ohms (Ohms Law)

Memorize and UNDERSTAND these formulas, and if you find this kind of math difficult, hire a qualified marine electrician.

Every boat owner who chooses to do his/her own repairs should have a copy of a good electrical manual on board.

I highly recommend: Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook: Charlie Wing

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by foufou

2000 watts will draw close to 160 amps at 12 volts if my math is correct. That amperage requires big fat wiring. Check wire sizing charts

This is about right.

I have a 400 watt inverter wired directly to the batteries but it wasn't fused until recently.

I also have a 1500 watt inverter that I will now be hooking up since I have installed the Blue Sea Fuse Block Terminals and MRBF Fuses (175 amp) on the batteries

Btw, do the new boats come with battery fuses installed?

[MikeFergie]

Take loose the 6 screws holding your panel tight and the panel will fold Down . On the back of the plug you will see a fuse there that you will need to change . As has been pointed out rather wire the inverter in to the fuse board there are some spare flip fuses on both sides of your panel.

I mounted my inverter near the board in the port rear cabin which means your wiring can be as short as possible. The other option is to change your charger to a Victron charger inverter in one.

I would have done this already but i have not plugged into shore power in 2 years