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There are a number of problems in getting power on a boat the major one is the electrolyse. I have looked at many ways around the problem.
Diodes in earth cable
Isolation Transformer
Chargers and Inverters
Special alternators like the Electrolux Travel Power AC Generator
And stand alone generators.
The first two mean one is reliant on being in a marina to be able to use power. But the other methods do not always give a true sine wave and it seems some washing machine do not like the AC supply from inverters.
Diodes are the cheap way out but not sure I like that idea and isolation transformers are not cheap. To buy a 230 volt to 110 volt isolation transformer is not too bad but 230 volt and 230 volt out near double the price of the 110 volt types.
So if spending £250 for an isolation transformer why not pay a little extra and run everything off an inverter?
The inverters at 1500 to 3000VA start to become very expensive and do not produce a true sine wave.
At this point one wonders if the high load items would be better run off a generator and reduce the inverter size to 500VA which should cover TV etc.
If going down generator route then stand alone or powered off main engine? The type which are driven off main engine picture above seem to also use inverter technology so it can produce 230 volt 50 Hz at variable engine speed.
The problem is although one can find limited information on using inverter derived supplies for example recommended to use washing machine with non electronic timers. Information as to what will and will not run on a non sine wave supply seems rather minimal and the method used to get 230 volt 50 Hz will depend a lot on what can be run with the different methods of supply.
At the moment only thing I have tried running off an inverter 150VA which I have in my car is phone charger and PC both run without problem so it seems there is not a problem with anything using switch mode power supplies.
So I would like to hear for anyone who runs equipment off an inverter. Items we will be interested in are microwave, food mixers, coffee peculators, DVD players, TV,s basically the highest draw would be micro wave and for that I would consider 1500VA inverter and then only use washing machine in the marina. Or if using a generator at 3.5KVA then everything can be run of own power.
Running costs are another factor, Items like washing machines and the like do not use full 2.5Kw for whole cycle and that would mean running a generator for a long time light load.
Current switching relays to switch off other supplies when for example the micro wave is used.
I have tried to work out cost effective methods but each thing I look at seems to have some vital information missing.
Anyone with any experience of using inverters I would love to hear from also using generators although I have used and repaired many I was not concerned with running costs.
The main engine runs on mixture of red and white diesel as permitted for canal boats where the government makes allowance for so much of the diesel is used for heating and so much to drive boat.
So it may be cheaper not to use main engine!
Any ideas welcome
Eric
Diodes in earth cable
Isolation Transformer
Chargers and Inverters
Special alternators like the Electrolux Travel Power AC Generator
And stand alone generators.
The first two mean one is reliant on being in a marina to be able to use power. But the other methods do not always give a true sine wave and it seems some washing machine do not like the AC supply from inverters.
Diodes are the cheap way out but not sure I like that idea and isolation transformers are not cheap. To buy a 230 volt to 110 volt isolation transformer is not too bad but 230 volt and 230 volt out near double the price of the 110 volt types.
So if spending £250 for an isolation transformer why not pay a little extra and run everything off an inverter?
The inverters at 1500 to 3000VA start to become very expensive and do not produce a true sine wave.
At this point one wonders if the high load items would be better run off a generator and reduce the inverter size to 500VA which should cover TV etc.
If going down generator route then stand alone or powered off main engine? The type which are driven off main engine picture above seem to also use inverter technology so it can produce 230 volt 50 Hz at variable engine speed.
The problem is although one can find limited information on using inverter derived supplies for example recommended to use washing machine with non electronic timers. Information as to what will and will not run on a non sine wave supply seems rather minimal and the method used to get 230 volt 50 Hz will depend a lot on what can be run with the different methods of supply.
At the moment only thing I have tried running off an inverter 150VA which I have in my car is phone charger and PC both run without problem so it seems there is not a problem with anything using switch mode power supplies.
So I would like to hear for anyone who runs equipment off an inverter. Items we will be interested in are microwave, food mixers, coffee peculators, DVD players, TV,s basically the highest draw would be micro wave and for that I would consider 1500VA inverter and then only use washing machine in the marina. Or if using a generator at 3.5KVA then everything can be run of own power.
Running costs are another factor, Items like washing machines and the like do not use full 2.5Kw for whole cycle and that would mean running a generator for a long time light load.
Current switching relays to switch off other supplies when for example the micro wave is used.
I have tried to work out cost effective methods but each thing I look at seems to have some vital information missing.
Anyone with any experience of using inverters I would love to hear from also using generators although I have used and repaired many I was not concerned with running costs.
The main engine runs on mixture of red and white diesel as permitted for canal boats where the government makes allowance for so much of the diesel is used for heating and so much to drive boat.
So it may be cheaper not to use main engine!
Any ideas welcome
Eric