Inverter question

[johndoe]

Adding an Inverter and two 6Volt 260 Amp batteries to my 2004 Regal 2665. with 6.2L MPI which has a 70 amp alternator.
Can someone explain to me how the alternator connects to the inverter to charge the batteries while cruising? I understand the AC (shorepower) transfer switch and all the battery hookups and fusing requirements as well as grounding, but am stuck on the alternator...

For reference I am purchasing the Magnum 1212 which is a 1200 Watt inverter/charger.

any inverter experts out there?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Inverter question

I don't understand why you want to hook the alternator up to the inverter? The alternator should just run straight to the batteries or through an isolator or battery combiner or a battery switch but not to the inverter.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

OOPs.
I guess that's what I meant... Does the alternator hook straight to the starting battery, or to both the starting and house batteries..? and if so how would this wiring be acoomplished...

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Inverter question

An inverter typically hooks to a battery, to change the DC voltage to AC voltage, so you can use appliances and such.

The alternator needs to be hooked up to each battery in parallel, in order to maintain the same voltage. And typically alts are hooked directly to the battery, and then the main power is tapped from there to feed a boat/car.

The alt needs to be on both batteries, IF you want the alt to charge both batteries. It is not required, but it is required to be hooked to the starting battery at least. If the house battery is going to be used with the boat off, then you want to be able to isolate that battery from the starting battery, so you don't drain both at the same time.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

so do I need an isolator in order to charge two 6volt house batteries and one 12 volt cranking battery? and just wire them in paralell?

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Inverter question

If the cranking battery is 12 volt, why are you geting 2 6 volt batteries? If the alt is a 12 volt system, in order to use the 6 volt batteries, you would need to wire them up as one battery(in series) to achieve 12 volts.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Inverter question

As Speed says you will need to wire the 2 6v in series in order to feed the inverter with 12v however it sounds like you really want to isolate these 2 batteries from your starting battery, if you wire them all in parallel then they will all be used for starting and running the inverter (not a good idea) Have a look at this link to give you some basic examples of different possibilities. Especially pic B and C and then post back any questions. http://www.homestead.com/dolphinmarineservice/Ele1.html

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Inverter question

doh

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Inverter question

[colour=blue]

If the cranking battery is 12 volt, why are you geting 2 6 volt batteries?

Because the available amp/hrs are double that of a single 12v batt.
[ /colour ]

OIC. Then I would have to assume that the end result is a 12V load, using both of the batteries together?

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

yes 2, 6 volt 260 amp batteries wired in series for 12volt input to the inverter... this will give me 120volts at about 25 to 30 amps.. (my bath is bad) for, I don't know how long.. but honestly I just want to run a coffee maker for five minutes a cup... (its a 14oz at a time
B&D type) and I will change my TV/DVD and small fan to draw from the 6volt bank, (wired as 12volts) for extended run time (at low current draw)

My question is how to use the alternator to charge these 6volt batteries bank (wired as 12v) and the engine/starting battery... will a 70 amp alternator charge multiple batteries wired together and then Would i use an isolator to prevent the starting/engine battery from draining when using the appliance mentioned above?
If all battery banks are wired together, I should be able to hook the alternator leads to one (engine) battery and use an isolator from there to include the other batteries in the charging stream?

any of this make sense.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Inverter question

A lot of boats just use a battery switch, to keep the batteries seperate when needed. And you simply put the switch to "both" when you are running the engine. That is the simplest and easiest way to do it.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Inverter question

[colour=blue]First of all, your 1200w inverter is ample power to run a coffee maker, TV & DVD simultaneously. Also, 2 x 260amp 6volt batts are ample to power the inverter. Your alternator is also more than adequate.

You will need to isolate the motor batt from the house batts (the 2 x 6volters are 'house' batts). For this, I would suggest a Voltage Sensing Relay (VSR), not a battery switch.

Connect the two 6 volters in series, this effectively makes them one 12 volter. The alternator will recognise them as one 12 volter.

I have two concerns -
Are they deep cycle batts? (260amp deeps are mighty big!)

What type of coffee beans are you using? 8)

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

Ahhh well since I live and boat in Seattle, nothing but Starbucks will do.. or whatever the admiral buys on sale at the store...

Yes the 6Volts are LARGE deep cycle made by DYNO... Sounds like I am on the right track... and I found the install manual for the Inverter on line, so I can plan a little better... I will be putting all battereis in battery boxes, instead of trays for some added safety, and yes the weight is an issue, but I have a 6.2L 300HP and I don't go fast.. I just go... I think it will be nice to cruise at 20 to 24 MPH with a hot cup of coffee in my hands... can't wait!

Since the boat already has a battery switch, I will probably stick with it, but I am interested in the relay.. .Can you tell me more about where to find one and exactly how it works...?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Inverter question

[colour=blue]A VSR is a battery switch. They differ from a conventional rotary switch in that they are fully automatic, solid state circuitry (marine grade waterproof etc) and they protect the alt. The way they work is they feed charging volts to the main batt until a predetermined state of charge is met, then they switch over to the house batts - automatically.

An excellent choice for multiple house batts.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

Well, I discovered that my coffee maker is 1400 Watts! So I decided to use the 1100 Watt version on the boat, but I still feel that a 1200 Watt inverter is not enough... after running a fan or 150 watt heater at night, I may be too low in the morning to brew coffee without starting the engine ... so I went looking for a 1500 Watt, ended up buying the 2000 watt... (better too much than not enough!) I bought the Magnum pure sign wave MS series 2000Watt inverter, with a remote, 2 6v 260AH batts, with boxes and straps, a fuse and bus, and a ACR by blue sea... a few cables, bolts and washers, electrical coating...etc...

I am beginning my project tomrrow and I hope it is as easy as removing my existing charger, replacing it with the inverter and removing house battery # 2 and replacing it with two 6volt wired in series... I will keep my original battery 1 (cranking) as my primary engine starting battery. I will be able to switch between battery 1 and 2 or all with the existing switch.... I do want to include the ACR, but am a litlte confused on how to make this work... I understand the principle and that is it will allow both battery banks, (all batteries) to be charged when engine is running and when it is off, will disconnect engine/starting battery to prevent drainage... but I think I may not need it, if I can only remember to turn the switch to battery 2 when then engine is off..? Is this true... ? If I use the ACR, does this mean I won't need to switch between battery 1 for starting and 2 or all for charging...? I would jus leave it on all, all the time.....??????????

I might just return it if I don't need it...



any advise on this??/

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Inverter question

John...yes you can do what you want to do with just using the battery switch, assuming pos 1 is the starting battery and pos 2 is the house, then while running having it in both will charge both. Dropping anchor, turn it to 2 and run everything off the house, in the morning turn it back to 1, start engine and then turn it back to both (assuming the switch is a make before break type). This works well if you remember to switch it from both to only 2 so you don't kill the starting battery overnight.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Inverter question

thanks... I figured as much... I will probably return the ACR.... for now...