View Single Post
Old 07-19-2011, 08:14 AM   #7
Capn Chuck
Guru
 
Capn Chuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 897
RE: Setting up inverter

Quote:
rwidman wrote:
*

This was touched on in the post above.* An inverter draws a large amount of current at 12 volts to produce a smaller amount of current at 120 volts.* A little over ten times as much.* This would require large cables (not "wires") from your batteries to each inverter.* As a practical matter, for an inverter capable of powering a small microwave, for example, you need to have the inverter within five feet or so (cable wise)* of the batteries and it still needs to be a #2 gauge cable. (all this is from memory so it's "more or less").

You are far better off keeping the inverter as close as possible to the batteries and running the #12 triplex cable for 120 volts to where you need it.* In many cases, you can tie it into the boat's 120 volt system with a transfer switch and make things easier.* Just don't try to run an electric water heater, stove, or airconditioner.
*



-- Edited by rwidman on Monday 18th of July 2011 06:29:16 PM

*Good advise, except, the installation of many inverters should not be in the engine compartment because of the heat and many of us have our battery banks in the engine compartment. We did a post on installing the inverter on Beach House, including the transfer switch here,<a href="http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2010/02/installing-power-inverter.html">
</a>

http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot....-inverter.html

*

Chuck
Capn Chuck is offline   Reply With Quote