Cheap and Cheerful inverters

[AMOREST]

Hi all
Any known earth / anode problems with short term use of smallish cheap inverter - (driving an Ice Maker). Big battery cables, an overload trip, and an Isolator fitted for when not being used.
Cheers

 

[RichardS]

Presumably it's a 12V to 240V inverter so you won't be connected to shore power when you run it? I can't see why there would be any problems.

Richard

 

[AMOREST]

Many thanks. This will Mostly be used during Engine running - but I had also intended to use when on shore power through the Battery Charger.
If there is any likely issues with this then I can just plug into shore power direct - when shore power is connected.

 

[Graham376]

Many thanks. This will Mostly be used during Engine running - but I had also intended to use when on shore power through the Battery Charger.
If there is any likely issues with this then I can just plug into shore power direct - when shore power is connected.

Doesn't make sense to power it via inverter, batteries and charger when connected to shore power.

 

[V1701]

When shorepower is available one of these if you don't already have something...

 

[Buck Turgidson]

When shorepower is available one of these if you don't already have something...

???

 

[AMOREST]

Thanks. But fully wired for shore power - just too lazy to re-plug from Charger to mains as Ice maker fitted into cupboard.
Oh how the other half live ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks. But fully wired for shore power - just too lazy to re-plug from Charger to mains as Ice maker fitted into cupboard.
Oh how the other half live ?

Fit a 2 pole changeover switch.

I'd also suggest that you earth the inverter.

 

[AMOREST]

Excellent- thanks.

 

[William_H]

"Cheap and Cheerful" inverter might suggest it is a "modified sine wave " inverter. ie mostly square wave so not suitable for induction type 240v AC motors. Might find you need a true sine wave inverter if ice maker has typical refrigerator type compressor. ol'will

 

[AMOREST]

Thanks - but it’s pure sine wave. (It works fine - my OP was about earthing / bonding).

AliExpress. £35.

 

[VicS]

Thanks - but it’s pure sine wave. (It works fine - my OP was about earthing / bonding).

AliExpress. £35.

This one?

Very probably has the equivalent of a centre tapped earth . That is no earthed neutral, each output conductor being live by 110 volts relative to its "earth" conductor.

It does not appear to have an external case earth terminal !

 

[AMOREST]

Yes pretty much the same.

I have seen a strip down if these and that are not Earthed. The reviewer suggests connecting neutral to Earth internally so at least the 240 unit is earthed to Boat earth.

what do you think.

dangerous ?
Ok if used with care ?
Should be fine if turned off / isolated when not in use ?

my only real issue is not knowing if it might do something to the Bonding set up or Anodes.
Otherwise it’s working fine and we have Ice for G&T at anchor - with only 10 minutes of operation under engine. ?

 

[HissyFit]

The problem with things that are 'cheap and cheerful' is that they are likely to actually be 'expensive and miserable' in the long run.

I'd treat anything coming out of China with a bit more scepticism than most. I remember the cheap, so-called MPPT solar charge controllers, which were anything but. It turned out that 'MPPT' was the brand, and what was actually supplied was plain old PWM controllers, which were nowhere near as efficient. The current scam going about is the switch mode voltage converters which are being advertised as being GaN, which is meant to indicate a device built with expensive and efficient Gallium Nitride bipolar transistors. The tear-downs, however, reveal the use of standard silicon devices. I'm sure there will be instances of 'pure sinewave' inverters being nothing more than modified squarewave, which is not liked by many pieces of equipment.

 

[RichardS]

Yes pretty much the same.

I have seen a strip down if these and that are not Earthed. The reviewer suggests connecting neutral to Earth internally so at least the 240 unit is earthed to Boat earth.

what do you think.

dangerous ?
Ok if used with care ?
Should be fine if turned off / isolated when not in use ?

my only real issue is not knowing if it might do something to the Bonding set up or Anodes.
Otherwise it’s working fine and we have Ice for G&T at anchor - with only 10 minutes of operation under engine. ?

As said earlier, provided you are not connected to shore power it will not affect anything. Even when connected, it probably won't either but at least it's a possibility then.

Richard

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes pretty much the same.

I have seen a strip down if these and that are not Earthed. The reviewer suggests connecting neutral to Earth internally so at least the 240 unit is earthed to Boat earth.

Do you have a link to the review please ?

what do you think.

dangerous ?
Ok if used with care ?
Should be fine if turned off / isolated when not in use ?

As with all inverters, isolate from the batteries when not in use, as they have a standby overhead.

my only real issue is not knowing if it might do something to the Bonding set up or Anodes.
Otherwise it’s working fine and we have Ice for G&T at anchor - with only 10 minutes of operation under engine. ?

It's isolated, so it can't affect the anodes.