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Post by hoppy on Apr 23, 2016 21:23:19 GMT
I'm looking to fit an inverter and I'm trying to figure out where best to install it. At the moment I'm thinking about the 1600w pure sine wave Sterliing inverter with the remote control. One possible installation option I'm considering is under the starboard berth along the centerline, in a similar position to where I fitted the watermaker pressure vessel (but that was on port). The remote control would be mounted perhaps near the nav table and the 220v output would also be mounted in that area. I will either get the plug version and fit an inline RCD or get the RCD version depending on what's readily available. I'm not planning on using the inverter for anything like a TV or charging a laptop, so it should not need to be run for too long causing heat buildup. The location under the berth near the batteries means I only have a short run of the smallest sized cable required. Does this seem a reasonable location? or am I missing some potential problems?    |
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Post by jlasail on Apr 24, 2016 4:06:22 GMT
I have one located in same location near the engine battery bank on a SO 409 with no problem.
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Post by vasko on Apr 24, 2016 8:29:51 GMT
The inverter need to be as close as possible to the battery bank, you will need very big cables (may be 300+ amps) and fuse min 250amps keep in mind that the remote very often has issues and you need easy manual override , you need also a safety breaker before the inverter (with key is best) - also if you feel happy  . you may install a relay wich can switch atomaticaly between inverter and shore power , 1500w seems little bit small to me I was thinking for 1500w also but a friend told me that I should go for at least 2500w and I went for 2500w in the end which was very good decision as with 1500w will be wuestionable if you will able to power 1000w hairdryer for example |
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Post by On y va on Apr 24, 2016 9:47:25 GMT
hoppy: I would not choose that location. It is too damp and salty there as that area is openly connected to the engine bay. The shaft seal always leaks a tiny bit and with a turning shaft, throws salty moisture in to the air. But also the heat from the engine. both will just shorten the life span of the inverter. So I wouldn't mount anything electronic there. Why buy a pure sin wave, if you are not going to use it for TV, laptop etc? Fr hair dryers, coffee makers etc, might as well get a semi.
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Post by hoppy on Apr 24, 2016 12:20:01 GMT
hoppy: I would not choose that location. It is too damp and salty there as that area is openly connected to the engine bay. The shaft seal always leaks a tiny bit and with a turning shaft, throws salty moisture in to the air. But also the heat from the engine. both will just shorten the life span of the inverter. So I wouldn't mount anything electronic there. Ok, that's what i was wondering. Perhaps I can fit it in the same position where I fitted the WM compressor. I can add a hole for ventilation from the cabin Why buy a pure sin wave, if you are not going to use it for TV, laptop etc? Fr hair dryers, coffee makers etc, might as well get a semi. Only ever looked at pure and just checking now on Sterling's site and there is a very little price difference. If my 12v laptop charger dies, at least I'll have a "backup" if I get a pure |
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Post by hoppy on Apr 24, 2016 12:32:58 GMT
The inverter need to be as close as possible to the battery bank, you will need very big cables (may be 300+ amps) and fuse min 250amps keep in mind that the remote very often has issues and you need easy manual override , you need also a safety breaker before the inverter (with key is best) - also if you feel happy . you may install a relay wich can switch atomaticaly between inverter and shore power , 1500w seems little bit small to me I was thinking for 1500w also but a friend told me that I should go for at least 2500w and I went for 2500w in the end which was very good decision as with 1500w will be wuestionable if you will able to power 1000w hairdryer for example Sterling's manual mentions the cable diameter/length for each inverter size and the fuse sizes. In the sterling range, the next size up (2500W) is massive and substantially more expensive. It would be cheaper to buy a hairdry, find out it doesn't work and get a lower watt version  |
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Post by ianpowolny on Apr 24, 2016 15:34:22 GMT
Hoppy, our inverter, and it is for the TV, is behind the port saloon couch back rest in front of the nav table. Our Jeanneau has a strengthening section there that the inverter sits on - I think some glue is involed. I like this position as it's easy to access when you need to charge items like a laptop. Just pull the cushion out of the way plug in and then put the cushion back. Ian
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Post by hoppy on Apr 24, 2016 16:56:19 GMT
Btw how do you wire up the earth?
I noticed there is a wide flat mesh wire bolted to the hull where I'd imagine the prop shaft support is (can't remember what it's called) I never followed the wire so I have no idea what it's for but perhaps it can be used for the earth?
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Post by vasko on Apr 24, 2016 19:10:02 GMT
hoppy, To be honest at the point where you decide that you need a inverter on the boat the boat electrical system actually becomes a UPS ( Uninterruptible Powers Source in the PC/Computer world terms - /btw: was under the impression that you are from the IT word ? or I'm mistaken ?/ ) with your house battery bank acting as the batteries for the UPS - in brief you just need the power management of a UPS system and connect it to your battery bank, 220v system and use it as a charger also... when I've done my system I've made a decision in the end based on the fact that already had a charger and will get just the inverter... but this was a mistake ... better have everything properly and just use the existing system as a backup in emergency case... there is a thread : jeanneau.proboards.com/thread/3598/bean-cup-coffe-machine-boardwhere we discussed here my case with the bean-to-cup coffe machine and my inverter setup sometime ago - take a look at it... as far as I remember I discovered that Sterling Power and bunch of other reputable manufacturers actually just brand Chinese products.... the good thing is that if buying from "reputable one" you at least have support which you have paid with x2, x5 the actual price. in the end my investigation at the time pointed me to very good and responsive Polish company which were actually producing the units them selves and actually well understand what they are doing. - I think it was one of the ebay links in the thread... IN BRIEF: I'm admitting that I have made a mistake not buying a UPS controller/management from the Polish company and saved money thinking that I already have the other part and added only a inverter - e.g. if you want to do it properly just get the whole system ... e.g. : www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Pure+Sine+Wave+Inverter+Charger+SinusPro+800E+12V+230V+MPPT+AVR+UPS&_itemId=221660618049&_trksid=p2047675.m4099 |
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Post by On y va on Apr 24, 2016 20:51:56 GMT
hoppy: maybe you should ask an electrician what cables and position and distances you actually need instead of all these "would be" electricians on a forum.
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Post by hoppy on Apr 24, 2016 20:57:24 GMT
I thought about the inverter/charger, but they are crazy money and tend to be bulky. Also installation is much more of a challenge or expense. If I was running a TV/coffee machine/washer/laptop etc from shore power, then the UPS solution would seem like a sensible solution, but all I tend to use the shore power for is charging the battery, water heater and the electric kettle & toaster. All are marina luxuries I will do without once unplugged. I might try the toaster off the inverter...
The sterling is the front runner as it has the right size and form factor and the last time I was in Greece, the stores even stocked them. I will however revisit other brands as one store stocked another brand (cant remember) that I saw at the Stockholm boat show which also looked promising and there is also a Ma$t€rvolt store at the marina.
Yep, 30 years in IT (OMG shoot me know)
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Post by vasko on Apr 25, 2016 8:09:49 GMT
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Post by vasko on Apr 25, 2016 8:29:58 GMT
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Post by vasko on Apr 25, 2016 8:56:14 GMT
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Post by abgreenbank on Apr 25, 2016 8:56:22 GMT
Stirling power details cable size/distance from batteries in its product guides, all available on its website.
regards
ab
ps, and yes closer to the batteries ie short cables is best
i have 2500w pro sine combi with 90mm2 cables, length of 1 metre and all good (fuse 400amp I think)
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Post by vasko on Apr 25, 2016 9:02:19 GMT
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Post by dslittle on Apr 25, 2016 22:12:14 GMT
Like Vasco, I initially went for a standalone inverter (Victron 1600). I have now replaced that with a Victron 12/2000/80 MultiPlus for the reasons he gave. I have kept the OEM Cristec Charger in place for redundancy. The wiring for the origial charger was just sufficient to reach the new location. In relation to placement, mine went into the port lazarette below the wheel AND the port compass - NOT good (unless you want to sail around in circles!!!)
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Post by so40gtb on Apr 30, 2016 4:21:07 GMT
Hoppy, I can't help you out as to location because Jessabe has dual aft cabins and Voyageur has only one. I mounted our boat's inverter/charger behind the galley bulkhead, on the starboard side. It has become popular for powering the coffee maker, toaster, and hair dryer when at anchor, but we're religious about not running all at once. We run the engine around 1800 rpm and there's not a large net draw out of the battery bank, with our 110A Balmar alternator, when using any one of the appliances.
The key to sizing cables is to minimize voltage drop while complying with the minimums of relevant standards. If you are persnickety about voltage drop, it's hard to run afoul of the standards. Nigel Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual covers the topic well, around p161.
I decided on a practical limit to wire size (#2/0 here in the USA, 70 mm elsewhere) and then configured my system to limit the voltage drop through that wire by limiting load current on the inverter. The circuit breakers downstream from the inverter are sized below the inverter's rating, to limit the load on that device and thereby limit the current flowing from the master disconnect switch to the inverter/charger. This is entirely different than how I would size breakers for an onshore electric power distribution system.
Yes, that's backwards; I should have sized the cables to the inverter's ratings and the breakers similarly, to ensure maximum use of the inverter. But that's not what I needed or sought.
--Karl
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Post by optimystic on May 28, 2016 16:02:21 GMT
Our 2000 watt sine wave inverter is behind the act cabin locker. On the 379 there is an access panel there and it's where the charger is located. A bit of a departure for installation was that I led the inverter power to a dedicated and fused outlet where I have power strips installed. The remote inverter switch is next to the dedicated outlet. I did this to limit interference and isolate the inverter power. Works perfectly. We use it exclusively for electronics. No hair dryers or tea pots etc although I could if needed. This install also allowed for very short wire runs.
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Post by hoppy on May 28, 2016 19:03:24 GMT
My original idea to place it under the berth is dead, no room where I hoped. Starting to think that I install an upright inverter in the hanging closet on the starboard side. Possibly get the Victron 1600w as it takes little space.  I keep the (dry) wet weather gear in that cupboard. Theres no uncovered wire terminals on the Victron, so it should be safe to use the cupboard for hanging still, although I would have to make a couple of ventilation holes above and below the unit. Not an ideal solution, but I have limited options. |
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Stillreel
New Member
Posts: 5 
Jeanneau Model: 409
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Post by Stillreel on Nov 22, 2019 16:11:46 GMT
I have a new-to-me 409 with the wave inverter installed. As we bought it late in the season, we have not had a chance to test the off-shore systems. It has a full solar array and 3 new house batteries. But as mentioned, we haven't really put them to the test without shore power. My question is regarding a water maker system that I'm going to install. seawaterpro.comDoes anyone know if the pump that comes with the 21 GPM system can run off 12V DC with solar panels or does it need to run through the AC to DC inverter and a generator? Thanks BC |
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Post by Tafika II on Nov 22, 2019 17:18:44 GMT
This thread just went a little off-topic, but I add my thoughts about our watermaker. We have a 12VDC Spectra Catalina 300 system (12-16gal/hr). It can run easily directly from the batteries which are solar & wind charged when off the dock. In the initial 5 minute purge using the water system pump, it draws about 5-6 Amps. After that about 2 Amps. We run it at anchorage as needed, but we have got into the habit of running it when the genset or engine is running.
On topic, we have a pure sinewave inverter installed 12 years ago during commissioning located in the after starboard side compartment under the bed. It is located next to the charger and the batteries. Used mainly for TV, chargers, etc. While we can run a hairdryer and coffeemaker, we tend not to and use the genset with higher draw appliances.
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. you may install a relay wich can switch atomaticaly between inverter and shore power , 1500w seems little bit small to me I was thinking for 1500w also but a friend told me that I should go for at least 2500w and I went for 2500w in the end which was very good decision as with 1500w will be wuestionable if you will able to power 1000w hairdryer for example
