Hey-I'm back on the internet. (trouble with switchover from Insight to Comcast and my billing-said I hadn't paid my bill in 45 days).
Anyway-I don't have a laptop on board, but I DO have a 2000w inverter/charger made by Freedom Marine. Issues: It's more than I needed-but it doesn't draw full power unless I USE full power, so it's pretty good and gives me some leeway (if I forget I'm running the microwave and I turn on the, um, toaster. <sheepish grin>). This particular unit is highly efficient-a little over 90%--but still that means I'm drawing 180 amps from my batteries if I run full power (which I seldom do!). Since the general rule of thumb is that your deep cycle batteries are happiest if you draw no more than 25 amps at a time from each one, you'd need seven 12V batteries in your house bank-which I don't. I use five group 29-an odd size, but larger than a 27 or 31 and only $63 at Sam's Club, and I laid one over on its side for eight hours and didn't spill a drop. But I wish I could afford AGM instead. They weigh 62 pounds each. But I don't race. And this size bank is perfectly matched to the 100A three-level automatic charger that's built into the Freedom unit. This inverter, like most, puts out a modified sine wave-which is NOT a sine wave, just a stepped square wave. Everything I have hooked up to it seems pretty happy, but I did have to put a healthy RFI/EMI filter on the output so I wouldn't hear any inverter 'hash' on my radio gear. I could have lived without it-but had access to a sample unit that would have cost me $200 otherwise, and it more than solved the issue. Not only will you add the weight of the batteries and the inverter (which is about 40 lbs), you'll also add about 20 lbs. of battery cable; I should have used 4/0 for my installation, but doubled up 1/0 cables which works out to 3/0 and that's what I really needed (but couldn't find). 1/0 cable is much more flexible and I saved money overall, plus it was easier to crimp on the terminals. Two group 27 batteries will run your inverter-but only for a very short time, and you should anticipate a very short life expectancy. Deep cycle batteries aren't built to flow that many electrons through their plates that fast, and they'll break down pretty quickly. Dave Shaddock From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sailor Chef Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 6:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: test - no mail since thursday? Speaking of batteries...I'm thinking of installing a 2000w inverter. I have 2 "group 27" batteries charged by a small solar panel and the running of the engine (we have no elect on the dock, hence the need for the inverter). Any thoughts, experiences and/or advice. Mark, Gratis (6115) Want to keep your WHOLE PAYCHECK? PLEASE VISIT http://www.fairtax.org ----- Original Message ----- From: Ralph E. Ahseln <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:20 AM Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: test - no mail since thursday? Received... All 4 of my email list have been quiet since Friday.. It must be the "Winter Doldrums". I'll be glad to "Troll" some kind of subject that will Smack the Bees Nest .. Say...... Batteries .... LOL Ralph Ahseln ----- Original Message ----- From: Judith Blumhorst, DC <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 8:44 AM Subject: catalina27-talk: test - no mail since thursday? ping _____ Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.4/1310 - Release Date: 3/4/2008 8:35 AM
