How to connect an Inverter.

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rigpigpaul

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Hi All, I want to install an Inverter and would like to connect it to the 230 volt outlets. How should it be connected so as not to clash when the shore power is plugged in.
Thanks in anticipation
RPP
 
It can't be done without some sort of changeover device.

My solution was to install a 220v 100a ( it's what I had available ) industrial switchgear relay that is itself energised by the shore power in line with the required 220 leg. ( don't want the battery charger drawing power from the inverter!)

When shore power is removed the relay drops out and connects the inverter output to the socket main line.

Something like this would be ideal. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/1557900352/2014_NEW_High_Quality_changeover_switch.html

But to be honest why not just have a socket or two dedicated for use with the inverter. Saves a lot of hassle.
 
The short answer is via a changeover switch, like this one:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32-AMP-ROTARY-CAM-CHANGEOVER-SWITCH-3-POSITION-4-POLE-ALUMINIUM-NEW-PTA10/330990185945?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D74%26meid%3D4207135290301262286%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D290913623126%26#ht_404wt_858

Doubtless others will be along shortly to add that you should have a garage unit with RCD, circuit breakers and proper earthing.
But that was not your question.....
 
nimbusgb said:
But to be honest why not just have a socket or two dedicated for use with the inverter. Saves a lot of hassle.
Click to expand...

+1

We had a 2kw pure sine wave inverter, mainly for the washing machine. The socket was next to the machine. We also had a 600w unit under the chart table, for all other uses. Wandering leads took the power to all parts of the boat.
 
The smart but expensive answer is to use a Victron or Mastervolt inverter/charger with "power assist". The inverter is in series with the shorepower AC - so no changeover switch is needed - and can add another 3 Kw or more from the batteries if the shorepower can't deliver what the load is demanding. Or it can just provide power from the batteries for a fraction of a second during air con unit startup, and then go back to charging the batteries. This means an ac generator can be sized smaller - saving costs, saving fuel and making less noise. Download this 74 page booklet to fully understand what is possible.
 
sailinglegend420 said:
The smart but expensive answer is to use a Victron or Mastervolt inverter/charger with "power assist". The inverter is in series with the shorepower AC - so no changeover switch is needed - and can add another 3 Kw or more from the batteries if the shorepower can't deliver what the load is demanding. Or it can just provide power from the batteries for a fraction of a second during air con unit startup, and then go back to charging the batteries. This means an ac generator can be sized smaller - saving costs, saving fuel and making less noise. Download this 74 page booklet to fully understand what is possible.
Click to expand...

linky please
 
Well I'm a simple man with a simple solution... I have lead from the inverter that plugs into the shore power socket... cant have both at same time!

Stu
 
Windy_Stu said:
Well I'm a simple man with a simple solution... I have lead from the inverter that plugs into the shore power socket... cant have both at same time!

Stu
Click to expand...


This is precisely (sp?) what I did on my last boat - I did have a consumer unit etc - and worked very well indeed. I couldn't afford a pure sine wave inverter so went to Towsure in Soton and got one of their 1 kW continuous/2kW peak jobbies (incidentally now going for less than £80) and it ran my Tesco £30 m/wave.......AND my Dell laptop charging brick!! and to say that they're picky is an understatement! So worth a look?
 
Hi Sorry for a bit of thread drift... but just interested if any one has had problems with none pure sine wave inverters... we use ours for TV Lap Top phone etc... the only thing that wont work is electric tooth brush!! not only wont the bushes charge, but the inverter actually somehow destroys the base unit??... bizarre!


Stu
 
Windy_Stu said:
Hi Sorry for a bit of thread drift... but just interested if any one has had problems with none pure sine wave inverters... we use ours for TV Lap Top phone etc... the only thing that wont work is electric tooth brush!! not only wont the bushes charge, but the inverter actually somehow destroys the base unit??... bizarre! Stu
Click to expand...

No problems with our 350W Sterling modified sine wave inverter, powers computer, TV, charges phones, runs small galley utensils OK. No electric tooth brush though so can't comment on that.
 
I've never been sure what is the best way to earth a powerful inverter. Connecting it to the yacht's ground circuit might seem to create a potential hazard for anyone touching the engine block, or swimming around the boat. Not earthing it at all would seem even more potentially lethal.
 
GrahamM376 said:
No problems with our 350W Sterling modified sine wave inverter, powers computer, TV, charges phones, runs small galley utensils OK. No electric tooth brush though so can't comment on that.
Click to expand...
We have a small 100 watt Maplins inverter that has blown three Braun Chargers. Braun admit there may be problems, but their induction chargers have a two year guarantee and even if you don't have the receipt they will keep replacing them FOC.
 
We have one of these £50 Maplin inverters.
MapInverter_zpsce9ad669.jpg

I just know that if I had one permanently installed someone would flatten the batteries.
It's bit of a pain to get out and connect up but runs the TV/Laptop & mobile chargers fine.
 
Last edited:
Talulah said:
I just know that if I had one permanently installed someone would flatten the batteries.
It's bit of a pain to get out and connect up but runs the TV/Laptop & mobile chargers fine.
Click to expand...
If left permanently connected it would use power and eventually flatten the batteries.

Inverters are not the most efficient way to power a laptop. Most can use a dedicated 12 to19+-v dc-dc converter.

The TV is often a 12 volt input fed via an AC 240v to 12 DC transformer. So make up a cable to plug the TV straight into the boat's DC supply.
 
sailinglegend420 said:
If left permanently connected it would use power and eventually flatten the batteries.

Inverters are not the most efficient way to power a laptop. Most can use a dedicated 12 to19+-v dc-dc converter.

The TV is often a 12 volt input fed via an AC 240v to 12 DC transformer. So make up a cable to plug the TV straight into the boat's DC supply.
Click to expand...

Our TV is 19V as is the laptop :-(
 
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