Installing an Inverter

[Catigale]

Catigale - Thanks for the data. For right now I will stick to my little 110 volt transformer. It's paid for.

Excellent point. Also, If Im wrong, it costs you a laptop!!

You also made a good point about that 1000W inverter running at near capacity - the battery would be merrily bubbling off H2 at 80 amps draw.

I agree that if you have a 1000 W load that isnt momentary (and I cant think of such a load that is momentary) , a generator is the way to go.

Im reading off my Dell power supply FYI ..Input 11-16 VCD allowed - I carry one of the neat IGo ones that can work from auto/boat, plane. or land line plug all from the same brick, and also charges my cell phone and Blackberry....

[Chip Hindes]

Batteries don't "bubble off H2" as they're being discharged. It's only when they're being recharged that they give off hydrogen.

With the modest alternators on most of our outboards, the amount of hydrogen released during recharge is at an equally modest rate, and as you stated before, it dissipates quickly.

[Moe]

I thought I'd point out that small car style inverters are inexpensive and effective if all you want to do is run a TV, stereo or charge a laptop or cell phone.

We keep one of these in each of our trucks and have 1 fellow that runs a TV off of one.



You couldnt run a Microwave on one or make fish daquiris with your blender but they only cost like $10

Scott, where are you finding the XPower 75 for $10? I'd like to get in on that.

Best I've found is about $30 with shipping.

--
Moe

[Scott]

I dont have that brand but it was the first pic I ran across. The brand we use was purchased at a Quicktrip Truck stop. Dont know the brand name or the exact price but when asked by an employee if he could buy one for his truck I said " get one for all the trucks"

Thats a pretty good indicator that they were closer to $10 and not $30. At $30 my answer wouldve been like "sure get one but dont show all the other guys cause then they'll want one"

On edit: the ones we use also have a 12v cigarette socket to provide for the one it uses.

[Rob (1992 26S)]

All the batteries on the boat need not be of the same age. I have an isolator between the house and the starting batteries. The 2 6V in series definitely need to be the same, but with the isolator you can have the house and starter separate.

I will be replacing my starting battery this year. Its 8 years old and is getting a little weak. Not bad lifetime for a starting battery!

Cheers
-Rob