Inverter/Charger

I33 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009

Tried to post this yesterday, but I must have fat-fingered the submit button.

I am seeking an inverter/charger for our 900ah house bank. I am considering the Prosine 2000 and would like to hear from users about their likes and dislikes. One question is have is about the noise level when it is in operation.
Thanks.

huguley3 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009

I put in an inverter/charger when I got my boat and if I had it to do over again I would get a separate charger and inverter.

I got a xantrex unit and it will automatically go into inverter mode when the shore power is disconnected. not a big deal when you know its happening but if you are not on the boat and the power goes out then whatever battery is connected can get sucked dry. I do know that it will run my window ac unit for about 10 minutes though.

I thought it would save space to get both units in one and now I am not so sure. Also I am finding that my inverter needs could have been served by one of those cigarette lighter type inverters.

Live and learn.

JiffyLube · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by huguley3

I put in an inverter/charger when I got my boat and if I had it to do over again I would get a separate charger and inverter.

I got a xantrex unit and it will automatically go into inverter mode when the shore power is disconnected. not a big deal when you know its happening but if you are not on the boat and the power goes out then whatever battery is connected can get sucked dry. I do know that it will run my window ac unit for about 10 minutes though.

I thought it would save space to get both units in one and now I am not so sure. Also I am finding that my inverter needs could have been served by one of those cigarette lighter type inverters.

Live and learn.

I use an old Trace charger/inverter that uses a switch to invert, when not switched to invert it's a charger. I never had a problem with it...knock on wood.

Zanshin · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009

I have the Victron inverter/charger unit and am very happy with it. The noise level is low, but when working it does generate heat and the fan runs (albeit quietly). I have 800Ah of 12V batteries, the unit charges them with up to 75Amps and I can select the rate of charge. The Victron also boosts a genset or shore power supply if necessary, i.e. if your genset pushes out 14A but an electrical draw onboard needs 16A the Victron unit will invert the difference from the batteries (seamlessly).

KindOfBlue · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2009

Go into west marine and have them do a search for a xantrex freedom 10. It's a discontinued model, but some stores may still have one laying around. I just got one at west marine for under $200. They found it in a store on the other side of the state, but had it shipped to my local store.

Omatako · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by huguley3

I got a xantrex unit and it will automatically go into inverter mode when the shore power is disconnected. not a big deal when you know its happening but if you are not on the boat and the power goes out then whatever battery is connected can get sucked dry. I do know that it will run my window ac unit for about 10 minutes though.

I have a Xantrex Freedom25 inverter that has the charge and inverter function but I have never used it to charge because it was the wrong input voltage (110v while our mains is 220v). Maybe because of that I'm not qualified to respond to the above. But . . . . .

I believe the only way that the inverter will switch from charge to inverter mode is if there is a mains appliance running on the inverter when the power goes down. The charger (I think) is a by-pass circuit and the incoming mains will power any appliance that is switched on as well as charge the batteries. So when the power goes down and the appliance starts demanding another source of energy, the inverter will go looking for it from the batteries. Then, yes, it will drain the batteries until it goes below the threshold voltage of the inverter (at which point it will cut out) or until the mains power comes back on.

Ordinarily with the inverter on and no appliance running, it draws around 0.2 of an amp to stay "alive" with no incoming mains power. But that is all.

I switch my inverter off when not in use, I have no shorepower.

huguley3 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omatako

I believe the only way that the inverter will switch from charge to inverter mode is if there is a mains appliance running on the inverter when the power goes down. The charger (I think) is a by-pass circuit and the incoming mains will power any appliance that is switched on as well as charge the batteries. So when the power goes down and the appliance starts demanding another source of energy, the inverter will go looking for it from the batteries. Then, yes, it will drain the batteries until it goes below the threshold voltage of the inverter (at which point it will cut out) or until the mains power comes back on.

Ordinarily with the inverter on and no appliance running, it draws around 0.2 of an amp to stay "alive" with no incoming mains power. But that is all.

I switch my inverter off when not in use, I have no shorepower.

That is correct. It has only happened once so far but now i have a routine of turning off the inverter when I disconnect the shore power. It is kind of nice that it automatically comes back on when the shore power is reconnected. I would just rather it had a switch on the unit to turn on the inverter rather than it doing it by itself. I had bought a seperate charger and inverter then I could just leave the inverter off all the time and let the shore power charge and run things. Since I have yet to use the inverter except to verify that it worked I could have just gotten a 12v cigarette lighter type inverter and it would have sufficed for my inverter needs.

motion300 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009

get 2 separate units and avoid xantrex if possible and get a pass tru or automatic switching unit so u will not need a transfer switch

JiffyLube · #9 (**permalink**) 12-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

I use an old Trace charger/inverter that uses a switch to invert, when not switched to invert it's a charger. I never had a problem with it...knock on wood.

I have to take back what I said about how my charger/inverter works, after reading a couple of other posts. When I'm at the dock the charger does it job, when I disconnect from the dock the batteries take over. When I'm away from the dock and I need inverted power, I turn a switch mounted on a bulkhead and I get inverter power from the batteries. The only time I've used inverter power is to run a laptop and a hand held GPS off powered adapters...worked just fine. What else would a person use on a boat that would require inverter power?...I'm curious.

windward54 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2009

I use a Xantrex Freedom30 with a standard remote panel, and have had no problems. The inverter will not switch on unless you leave the inverter switch on the remote on. I believe the manual warns you about this.

And JiffyLube, I have to have a really good cup of coffee! However, I've been told by the other half that she needs her blow dryer now and then and a curling iron. I've never figured out why, but I do what I'm told. Or so I say!