Click for Mulder Click for Glendinning Click for Furuno Click for Burger Click for Perko

power inverter

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by ArielM, May 2, 2011.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. ArielM, May 2, 2011
    #1
    ArielM

    ArielM Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2010
    Messages:
    179
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Well my power inverter burned up yesterday. Actually seemed like it caught on fire. (does an inverter have a way to shut itself off if someone accidentally turns the inverter on while the shore power is hooked up?)

    Anyhow we disconnected shore power the other day and turned the inverter on. About 20 min into the voyage we had a horrible electrical burn smell and found out the inverter was gone. Could turning the inverter on while it was connected to shore power cause this or does the inverter automatically shut itself off?

    Now that i need a new power inverter can anyone guide me? i need it to be 2500 watts. How is newmar or xantrex? Any good online retailers i should look at?
  2. Pascal, May 3, 2011
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,546
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    If your inverter was installed correctly, it can be left on with shore or genset on as well.

    There are two ways of installing an inverter. You can connect it via a selector switch (rotary or breaker with safety slide) in which case it acts just like any other power source. Or if the unit has built in transfer switches, you feed all the loads you want to be powered by inverter thru the inverter and whenever power is disconnected the inverter will take over automatically

    Inverters can fail for other reason but if you suspect it did because of operator error then the first thing to do is check the installation and wiring

    Magum makes excellent inverters, designed AND made in the US. I installed one on the 70 footer I run. On my own boat I have a Xantrex which failed twice under warranty and then again recently. I m going to replace it with a magnum. Xantrex quality has gone dowhill in the past few years, I ve heard of a lot if issues with their units.

    I ve heard good things about Outback but I believe they only have 1 line in which is charged for loads and charging, reducing charging rate. Not an issue if you charge the batteries via another source though

    Don't know if Charles makes inverter, obviously if they do they d be worth looking into it

    In any case stick to a marine model which has neutral to ground bonding circuitry not found on non marine models

    One last thing... If installing it in a separate compartment I like having a small automatic fire bottle in there, just in case...

    As to on line retailer, defender usually has good price and service
  3. PhilG57, May 3, 2011
    #3
    PhilG57

    PhilG57 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    Messages:
    29
    Location:
    Chicago area
    Don Rowe (www dot donrowe dot com) is a good source as well.