will xantrex pro 1800 power 1300W grill?

[winnipesaukee280da]

New 2010 boat has factory installed Kenyon electric grill, 1300W, but no generator. Marina is suggesting Xantrex pro 1800 inverter with two add'l deep cycle class 27 batteries w/ isolator, or a marine generator. Also posted in sport cruiser forum to discuss merits of generator or inverter.

Electrical question is, can I expect about 30 minutes of combined run time from the two batteries? They will be charged overnight on shore power before using. Is 1800 W inverter sufficient, or is there a start up surge that will require a larger unit? I want to be sure to have this spec'd correctly.

I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Nehalennia]

I don't think you'll have enough batteries. Lots of heat and how can you recharge the batteries shortly after ?

Time for propane is what I'm thinking.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I use that same inverter to power my 110v only refer when I am away from shore power. I agree with Todd, you aren't going to have enough battery. I used 2, 6 volt golf cart batteries. They are designed for deep cycle discharges.

 

[Sundancer]

Without knowing anything about the discharge curve or the watts required, it seems like you'd be trying to pull juice equivalent to running a starter with a load. What happens if the batteries die halfway through that steak?? I hope you like rare!

If you convert the 1300W to amps, it comes out to about 100 assuming some loss to the inverter. So, theoretically, if a 200 amp group 27 is in good shape, you should have 100 amps to send to the grill until the battery is 50% discharged (Going below this shortens the life of the battery.). Getting two group 27's might work for a while, but there isn't going to be much juice left after an hour. Reality vs. theory are rarely ever close together in this type of situation! I'd at least opt for group 31's if that's all the dealer will offer. I'd still go propane! It's a whole lot lighter and more efficient at producing the heat.

 

[boughtabouy]

It would be much easier and cheaper to throw a propane Magma Newport grill on the back for use on the water. Use the electric at the dock. We love our Magma!

Kevin

 

[winnipesaukee280da]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm leaning towards the inverter solution, because it appears to be the most convenient, clean, quiet, and the safest. From your comments, I'm concerned that the dealer has undersized the system, though.

Is the 1800W inverter large enough for the 1300 Watt grill? Does it matter for sizing the inverter what group size the battery is?

For batteries, charging time won't be a problem. The batteries will be charging at least 12 - 15 hours between uses. How much more grill time will I get from a group 31 vs group 27? Is a GC2 golf cart battery also a good marine battery for a boat, and how much more grilling time would it provide?

If this isn't viable, a highly recommended solution locally has been the Honda 2000 portable generator, since I don't need to power AC at our northern lake. I've read some of the threads on this generator, and believe me, they are confusing. From an electrical standpoint, what is the real risk of electrocution? The Honda companion has a 30 amp outlet, and the shore power cord has a third prong, isn't this a ground? I don't know what a GCFI is, but the Honda doesn't have it. If the generator is securely strapped to the swim platform in a no wake zone, grilling burgers for 30 min., and a rogue wave splashes the unit, what happens? Do you only get electrocuted if standing in a puddle on the platform, or do all the occupants in the boat get electrocuted from the entire system? If the unit is transported under the cockpit sink, is there any sparking risk? CO risk when properly used seems much less than the fume exposure from my 8.1 idling down the no wake zone, or the boats with marine generators running while rafting and anchored bow and stern. I also don't like the idea of transporting propane cylinders and cooking with flames near the boat. None of these options seems completely without risk.

Anyway, that's why I'm trying to get an inverter configuration that will work to run an electric grill. Any thoughts?

 

[Sundancer]

Ruh-Roh!!

Propane isn't something you want to store inside the boat. It needs to be hung on a bow rail or somewhere so that if it leaks it goes overboard and not into the low point of your boat waiting for a spark. Aside from that, it's no worse than using gas at home. It's done on millions of boats every weekend.

Bigger batteries will provide more power for the grill, I'll let an electrical wizard figure that our for you. It just depends on the amps available in the batteries you buy and the 6 volt golf cart batteries will provide even more time.

I'm not going to address the Honda issue. There are threads on every boat forum that go on and on about that. Leave that out of this for now and take a look at those on your own. If the grill was the only thing running on the boat, it might be able to provide power to do it, but please don't think I'm advising you to do this.

Boats are risky, yet here we are loving to do it. Gas vs. diesel, cooking with something safe (I use the alcohol stove and like it!), refueling, storms, generators and CO fumes, etc., there are many ways to kill yourself and yet you are just as likely to die driving to and from in your own car!

 

[boughtabouy]

Oops, I store my extra propane cans in a locker in the cockpit. Maybe they belong in the dockbox? Actually, where the hell is a safe place for them? Is there one?

I also store my dinghy gas can in the dock box. Probably not good either.

Kevin

 

[Creekwood]

I also have that same Xantrex PRo 1800. My house bank is two 6v golf cart batteries. The large element on the Kenyan is 1800 watts I think. There is no surge with electric elements, but when that one burner is on, it will be sucking every watt out of that inverter and your batteries. You will kill the batteries VERY fast. I really suggest you NOT use the inverter for the Kenyon, hair dryers, or any other electrical heating elements. Too wasteful of precious battery amp hours.

I use my inverter for the TV and DVD player as well as the microwave. I have a magma for the grilling.

I also picked up one of these
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...seaward-butane-single-burner-counter-top.html

It sits on top of the glass top when we are not on shorepower. Its actually heats things really fast and the butane cans are not expensive. Just make sure you leave the ports/hatches open to prevent CO issues (no worse than an alcohol stove top though, and much safer from a flare up standpoint).