Installing an inverter

[pheran]

I want a permanently installed inverter on the boat but will obviously need to ensure that the inverter is not supplying current to the boats 220v system at the same time as shorepower is connected. I am told that some inverters have a sensing system that prevents them firing up if mains current is detected. Other than that, is a straight-forward 'either/or' switch installed at the 'incoming' point the way to go?

 

[DannyB]

I simply installed separate sockets fed from the inverter, marked accordingly.

 

[BGW]

I want a permanently installed inverter on the boat but will obviously need to ensure that the inverter is not supplying current to the boats 220v system at the same time as shorepower is connected. I am told that some inverters have a sensing system that prevents them firing up if mains current is detected. Other than that, is a straight-forward 'either/or' switch installed at the 'incoming' point the way to go?

I run the power output from the inverter up to the shorepower socket, then plug in whichever one I want to use - foolproof (if you remember to switch off the battery charger).

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

I run the power output from the inverter up to the shorepower socket, then plug in whichever one I want to use - foolproof (if you remember to switch off the battery charger).

Exactly the setup I use.....really important to turn off battery charger, althothough mine resets to standby when I unplug shore power so not so critical for me. It's a KISS principle as I is too fick to work out a clever solution, innit.

 

[prv]

Separate sockets seems like a good idea, as you're not going to want to run the battery charger, water heater, toaster etc off the inverter.

Pete

 

[rosssavage]

Or... on the output side of the inverter (ie240v) fit a 'Shore / Inverter' changeover switch, and don't bother rewiring the whole boat to put it more sockets!! Also very KISS (REMEMBER battery charger OFF) but no having to work out which socket to use or leads flying about the place.

Further, obviously you wouldn't, but a guest on board could still plug the toaster or hairdryer into the inverter sockets if you had them... If you're lucky a fuse pops, if not you buy a new inverter..... With a switch this can't happen.

You can go one stage further (as I have on my boat..) and using 240v relays have an autochangeover system. I have shore, generator and inverter and use a switch to choose either 'shore' or 'gen / inverter'. Default is inverter, but when the gennie output comes on line it automatically shuts off the inverter and the gennie supplies the juice. A small interlock relay cuts off the charger supply when the inverter is working, thus preventing any accidental inverter / battery charger shenanigans....

When the gennie is shut down, the inverter kicks back in and the chager is automatically turned off. All with 3 relays and two rocker switches bought off ebay.

nice....

 

[nimbusgb]

Connect battery charge and water heater to shore power input line before a break-before-make changeover relay/contactor ( to N/O terminal ). Connect sockets after contacter ( Common connection ).
Connect inverter to N/C contacts of contacter
Connect contacter control solenoid to shore power mains input.

Shore power on ...... sockets connected to shore power.
Shore power off ...... sockets connected to inverter.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Good point on the immersion heater, I must remember that. Inverter will plug into the shore power socket but immersion heater switch is elsewhere and the idiot light is not obvious.