Mike Stevens wrote: > On Friday, February 16, 2007 10:12 AM [GMT+1=CET], > Bruce Napier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> AIUI, you should turn it off when there's no load on the alternator. >> On our system that's a rare event, as the TP supplies 230V to the >> Victron inverter/charger, so it's only if for some reason I'm running >> the engine whilst on a shoreline that there's nothing for the TP to >> do. > > That's interesting. The chap who installed our 230v elex persuaded > me that it wasn't a good idea to feed a Victron (ours is a > multi-plus) from the Travelpower. He talked to both manufacturers > and discovered that while the two pieces of kit are perfectly > compatible when they're both fairly new, they can develop > compatability problems with age, which then need a certain amount of > tweaking. SO we switch between the TP and the Victron as the source > of 230v depending on what we're running. In fact the only times we > absolutely need to use the TP are either when we're running the > washing machine or when we're running the microwave plus several > other things. In addition we find that when cruising, if we use the > TP to power the 230v stuff, and let the Victron charge the domestic > batteries from the two alternators, the batteries get charged > quicker.
My existing home made (12v relay switched - break before make) 230v AC control box enables me to switch power any way. My old Sterling inverter charger got peed off being fed by the Travelpower, but my new Victron Multiplus does not mind at all. It is fortunate that James Griffin also had this facility on Ocean Princess, because when his house alternator fried his batteries (and most of the navigation equipment), he was able to disconect the alternator and for the rest of the trip (three weeks), we were charging the temp house batteries with the Travelpower and Victron Multi Plus. I have been very impressed with the Victron, mine is only a 1600w, but it even manages to start my 230v AC pump out pump. I have also tried out its shoreline current limiter, it will power my domestic 3KW immersion heater, with the shore line current limited to 8A (infact at Harefield I could pull the full 3KW) -- Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest - The Wilderness years... Follow the truly independent TNC at : http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk Visit this site and help save our waterways from the DEFRA cuts http://www.saveourwaterways.org.uk/
