Inverter on a 99' 270 DA

[gmcleer]

I just picked up an older (but new in the box) inverter. It's 1000 Watts with a 2000 Watt surge. I am trying to find the best way to wire it into the boat. I am considering getting a switch and wiring the 110v from the inverter and shore into the switch. I was thinking I could place the switch before the main breaker at the stern of the boat. The problem is finding a good place for the inverter its self.

Any ideas?

 

[boatmailster]

if this is marine inverter it should survive in bilge

 

[capnjim]

Inverters, marine grade or not should NOT be installed in the bilge or anywhere in the engine compartment. They are not rated for an explosive atmosphere.

On a DA people commonly mount them in the aft cabin (usually making a vented enclosure to secure it and pretty it up) because it's close to the batteries. I mounted mine under the galley and ran heavy gage welding cable back to the "house" batteries. Make sure your connections are up to it, I see about a 50A draw off the batteries running the 800W coffeepot...

A DPDT Center Off switch will work for this application, however make sure you know what you are doing or consult with someone who does. One of the worst things you could do would be to parallel an inverter's output to shorepower. Can you say fire?

 

[boatmailster]

Inverters, marine grade or not should NOT be installed in the bilge or anywhere in the engine compartment. They are not rated for an explosive atmosphere.

On a DA people commonly mount them in the aft cabin (usually making a vented enclosure to secure it and pretty it up) because it's close to the batteries. I mounted mine under the galley and ran heavy gage welding cable back to the "house" batteries. Make sure your connections are up to it, I see about a 50A draw off the batteries running the 800W coffeepot...

A DPDT Center Off switch will work for this application, however make sure you know what you are doing or consult with someone who does. One of the worst things you could do would be to parallel an inverter's output to shorepower. Can you say fire?

sorry to hear that
looks like searay does not know what they are doing mounting factory installed inverters in bilge

 

[osd9]

.....looks like searay does not know what they are doing mounting factory installed inverters in bilge

Are you talking about the "Converter" (AC to DC..typically called battery charger)??? Those are rated to be installed in the bilge.

"Inverters" (DC to AC), back when I was looking, were not bilge rated. It's been a few years since I looked, and someone may have one on the market now, but you would need to confirm.

 

[boatmailster]

.....looks like searay does not know what they are doing mounting factory installed inverters in bilge

Are you talking about the "Converter" (AC to DC..typically called battery charger)??? Those are rated to be installed in the bilge.

"Inverters" (DC to AC), back when I was looking, were not bilge rated. It's been a few years since I looked, and someone may have one on the market now, but you would need to confirm.

yes they have them
big, sealed units with own fan, low battery protection etc
some fancy piece of electronics (some units 5-7 kW peak!)
I'm pretty sure it is optional equipment but works very good
on some boats "supposedly" you can even run washer on it

 

[capnjim]

yes they have them
big, sealed units with own fan, low battery protection etc
some fancy piece of electronics (some units 5-7 kW peak!)
I'm pretty sure it is optional equipment but works very good
on some boats "supposedly" you can even run washer on it

Well then, I apologize. I have not seen an inverter that was rated for engine compartment use. All the "Marine rated" inverters I've seen had coated circuit boards for moisture protection (like a marine grade stereo) but were not vapor-tight for bilge use.

I just want people to be careful and make sure that they are only installing equipment in the engine compartment that should be there. :thumbsup:

 

[boatmailster]

no reason to apologize
sometimes I can see some brand new things, options
or prototype boats (no many of those :smt009 )
I believe that some of those installations are not even listed
as options and you need to place special orders for custom installations.