using inverters

[Guest]

Please excuse my ignorance still on a very steep learning curve!
Can i connect and use an inverter to run say mini hifi etc while the engine is running and charging the battery? or will this cause problems.
Many thanks.

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[byron]

<font color=blue> YES!
In fact if you have decent batteries and/or a seperate starting bank you will not need leave your engine running.

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[CRM]

Set your 'User Options' to receive private mail and I will send you some 'gen'

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[PaulJ]

....and while we\'re on inverters.....

Some inverters are quite expensive and others are much cheaper. As I understand it, the more expensive ones have a better waveform, ie. closer to a sine wave... How important is this for the different applications to which it is likely to be put and more specifically, would a Laptop run off a "cheapie" with a square waveform?

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[steel_slug]

we use our PROWAT 1800 pure sine wave inverter when the engine is running, typically to run the washing machine, with no problems. Altenator is 110 amp controlled by an Adverc, battery bank is nominally 500Ah. Inverter has built in over voltage protection and so far (touch wood) has been problem free in liveaboard use.

HTH

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[tr7v8]

Re: ....and while we\'re on inverters.....

Laptops shouldn't be too picky as they are switched mode power supplies, some TV's and other sound equipment can be as the square wave mains breaks through and you hear it on the speakers. You will need the inverter to be outputing more than the laptops power supply though eg Laptop PSU 150Wats may need 300W inverter in order to take the start up demand.
Most manufacturers make 12V to Laptop power units specificaly for this.
I did have a website a few days ago I'll look it out for you.

Jim
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[bedouin]

Re: ....and while we\'re on inverters.....

Laptops are probably one of the most forgiving devices as far as the input voltage/frequency/waveform, and the same is true of most devices using a switched mode power supply.

Devices with transformers in are a lot more sensitive to wave form and voltage

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[Oldhand]

Yes you can but you are unlikely to get a pleasant result. Your mini Hi-Fi's power supply is likely to interact with with the inverter waveform in an unpredictable manner and generate a very noticeable back-ground whine. With your engine alernator running as well, unless it is properly supressed, this could add further harmonics to the Hi-Fi output. It is much safer to use audio equipment designed for 12v systems, i.e car stereo, this being the most common "sounds" installation on boats.

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