INVERTOR OR GENERATOR?

BRADMAN11 · Post by **BRADMAN11** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:49 pm

I HAVE A 1977 F30 FLYBRIDGE THAT I BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER.. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO POWER MY FRIDGE AND MAYBE A OUTLET OR TWO FOR THE MARGHRERITAVILLE BLENDER AND OTHER SMALL THINGS WHEN I AM OUT ON THE WATER. WHAT WOUDLD BE THE CHEAPEST AND EASIEST WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:14 pm

I'd go with the generator over the inverter for what you seem to need and want. The upgrades to batteries and an inverter with enough wattage to drive what you want would far outweigh the cost of a decent portable generator like my trusty Honda EI2000 (about $1g retail). Just be sure it's ventilated (I use mine out on the swim platform or mounted on the hardtop. The other route is a built in generator but that might be a tab pricey too. All of this is just my personal opinion.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:41 pm

A marine genset is the best way to go but the most costly , inverter the least .

I know I will start something here , But I will never use a Honda or any other home genset on any boat of mine , as I belive they have no place on a boat. Many are in use but you won't see me on a boat with one. Sorry but I had to say it .

Before I had a boat with a genset I used a inverter or did with out .

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:41 pm

I have an inverter and a marine generator. Inverter runs the fridge. Upgraded to a higher wattage unit when the little guy came along. Couldn't justify turning on the genny to heat up a baby bottle in the microwave for ten seconds every two hours. I wouldn't use any inverter to run large loads for extended periods like coffee makers, toasters etc. For that, I'm diligent with power management and run what I need to off the genny in morning; coffee, stove, water heater, charger etc. Running large loads off inverters for extended periods is impractical IMO considering the battery capacities required.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:05 am

portable gen set like the Honda, that said co sniffers are a MUST I'd use 2 on a F30, but if the icebox isn't ac/dc I'd still use a inverter to run it when underway if you're afraid of it not stayin' cold, or spring for and ac/dc icebox

pk · Post by pk » Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:14 am

I have a fridge working on 12 Volt, 115 / 220 Volt, or LPG. A very nice fridge coming from Whirlpool. And same with my coffe machine, my microwave, my blender and my icecube machine; theyÂ´re all working on 12 Volt. The Genset was taken out last summer, and I have replaced it with three batteries 12 Volt / 220 Amps, connectet to a charger on wind and sun. Offcourse when the engines are going, all charging will come from the generators. Anyway; I have found this system the cheapest way to do things.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:56 pm

To add a note of sanity to my post on the Honda generator....I too have CO monitor mounted to the center "ceiling" of the hardtop. It's gone off a couple of times, both times when we've been underway in a storm and had all the canvas up in the cockpit area. I think the CO monitor is a must for all boats, generator or no generator. And one final note on the Honda 2000EI. It's very quiet and can run delicate electronics...and it comes in handy at home during power outages.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:38 pm

Randy make sure you don't run that thing inside the house

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:35 pm

I run it in the living room just after I fire up the barby in the kitchen. But we're sure to keep the windows open.......

Heefus · Post by **Heefus** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:31 am

I have seen a bunch of boats running small hondas on the swim platform. It seems lik a good way to get them swamped, especially if your platform is close to the water.

I am getting ready to add 2 house batteries to the F28. I am going to put them both on switches, one to each engine. I will start with the standard batteries, then switch over to the house batteries to charge while underway. We are only going to run an inverter strong enough to charge/power the laptop (for movies and interwebs) and otherwise for 12vdc lighting and fans in the cabin. I also carry a fully charged jumpbox on every outing.

I would love to have a genset, but I have a Yeti cooler for food/libations, and a manual pump head. Maybe next year.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:48 am

heefus
if i read correctly you are going to start your engine on one battery and then manually change over to a house battery to charge after the engine is running. if so you need to verify that your battery switch will (make before break) not break its connection to one battery during the switch over to the other. some do and if it does you could risk frying you alternator diodes. just suggesting you look into this.
also a suggestion. you could install a automatic charging relay and it will automatically charge whatever battery needs the charge and you would not have to remember to switch anything. that way all your batteries could be kept fully charged while underway. just a thought.

http://bluesea.com/viewresource/1366

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:22 am

good catch, changing over could do just that..

Heefus · Post by **Heefus** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:25 pm

g36 wrote:heefus
if i read correctly you are going to start your engine on one battery and then manually change over to a house battery to charge after the engine is running. if so you need to verify that your battery switch will (make before break) not break its connection to one battery during the switch over to the other. some do and if it does you could risk frying you alternator diodes. just suggesting you look into this.
also a suggestion. you could install a automatic charging relay and it will automatically charge whatever battery needs the charge and you would not have to remember to switch anything. that way all your batteries could be kept fully charged while underway. just a thought.

http://bluesea.com/viewresource/1366

Yea, I have been pricing all the options. I like the ACRs, but I may keep it even simpler and just charge the house batteries while in port.

I dunno. Summer, and long weekend trips, are upon us, and I need to get this hammered out before then.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:21 pm

you'll be in the same place if you only charge in port, the acr sounds like a good thought.

risctaker · Post by **risctaker** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:14 pm

While the subject of gennys, inverters and batteries is being bandied about, does anyone have anything good, bad or indifferent to say about the "Duralast Gold Dual-purpose Marine Batteries" being sold at the local auto stores?. The claim is that they can be used for either starting or house and have the construction and plate thickness for both. I need to spring for 4 new batteries for Basket Case and need to save a few bucks without compromising quality too much!