Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

[pbolden]

Hello everyone,

I have a 21 foot hurricane deck boat that has an auxiliary/lighter plug at the helm. My dock doesn't have electric. I was wondering if typically these plugs can handle a 250 watt plug-in style inverter in order to run a stick vacuum with a draw of about 150 watts?

Thanks,
Paul Bolden

 

[jlinder]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

I have a 21 foot hurricane deck boat that has an auxiliary/lighter plug at the helm. My dock doesn't have electric. I was wondering if typically these plugs can handle a 250 watt plug-in style inverter in order to run a stick vacuum with a draw of about 150 watts?

Think of it this way, for every amp you draw at 120v you will draw about 10 amps at 12v. A 150 watt draw at 120v means about 1.25 amp, or about 12.5 amp from the lighter plug.

Assuming you have a 20A fuse on the plug it will work, but is a pretty significant load. You don't want to run it for a long time without the engine running.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

I agree with jlinder, a 4000 watt generator produces about 40 amps a/c voltage. and 15 amps dc draw will create heat over time. But it may just be start up demand. I would run an amp draw test to be sure. but 15 amps with pull your battery down in a hurry.

 

[pbolden]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

Thanks jlinder and stylesabu,

Yes it is 1.25 amps at 120 volts. I would need to run the vac for maybe 5 mins. so if I understand correctly I guess I should run the motor while vacuuming.

Thanks again!
Paul Bolden

 

[pbolden]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

Thanks Bubba1235,

12 volt vacs need to be recharged with an ac outlet which wont help me. Or the vacs that can be plugged into the 12 volt accessory plug seem to only be hand held units. If you know of a good stick vac that can be plugged into the accessory plug please let me know.

Thanks,
Paul Bolden

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

12 amps for 5 minutes will not hurt or significantly discharge the starting battery. The bigger question is what gauge wire do you have running from the battery, to the fuse panel, then to the accessory outlet. If that wire is less than 12 gauge anywhere along the line you risk burning wire, blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers etc. Know what you have before doing this. When running an inverterlike yours, make the connection with minimum 12 gauge wire and sufficient length to connect directly to the battery with alligator clips. Then you have no issue with inadequate boat wiring.

 

[pbolden]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

Thanks Silvertip,

I'll need to contact Godfrey/Hurricane and find out what is the gauge of the wiring used.

Thanks,
Paul Bolden

 

[NYBo]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

Most of those power outlets are only rated for 10A continuous use.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

No need to call the manufacturer. Look at the wire as the gauge is usually indicated on the wire as "xx awg". There should be a smaller gauge (black and red) at the battery along with the large battery cables that go to the engine. Those smaller wires will be either 10 or 8 gauge. They should also run up to the fuse panel. It is the run of wire from there to the accessory outlet that you need to be concerned about. But if you take my suggestion, you don't need to worry about it regardless what you plug into the inverter so long as you don't overload the inverter.

 

[pbolden]

Re: Power inverter question...Can my boat handle the current draw?

Thanks again Silvertip, I appreciate the information!

Paul Bolden