Inverter + Charger or Charger Only

[cwarren]

So, I'm somewhat new to boating. Though I spent a lot of time boating with my parents as a child, my wife and I just recently purchased our first boat, actually in partnership with another couple. So, I plan to post a lot of stupid questions.

Stupid Question #1 - We bought a 1987 Carver 28 Voyager. It does not have an inverter and it does not have a battery charger. Therefore, we only charge when the engines are running. I don't think this is good since the bilge pumps could not the batteries down in no-time. So, we are debating on an inverter vs. a stand-alone battery charger. We would like the option of running several AC devices while we are on the hook, so someday we want an inverter, but in the interim we may go the less expensive route and just get a charger. Here comes the stupid question. If we install a charger, I assume it would be wise to mount it somewhere other than the engine compartment. Is this correct? Also, we have one starting battery and two house batteries (don't remember what type).

Thanks for our help!

Whether you get a separate charger and a separate inverter or an inverter charger, the charger should be the type that will charge two battery banks. The charger or inverter/charger may be installed in the engine compartment, provided it is ignition protected. The manufacturer's documentation will state whether it's protected or not.

Raul

[Randygh]

Cwarren--congrats on the purchase of the Carver. You'll find many knowledgeable folks in this forum. Don't hesitate to ask a "stupid" question. I've asked many the last several years.

I purchased a '79 Carver Monterey in '03 and it came with a 15 amp battery charger that was an add-on by a previous owner. Someone had added a standard house recepticle in the bilge. The surveyor told me to get rid of the recepticle but it was ok to have the charger in the bilge. I rewired my charger directly to a weatherproof recepticle with an on/off switch in my cockpit. The switch is lighted (when on) so I know when I am charging my batteries from shore power.

[cwarren]

That was my primary concern, blowing the boat up. If we go with a charger only I will make sure it is ignition safe. Are most Heart Freedom inverter's ignition safe? Are the Heart Inverter's typically installed in the engine compartment. I assume it would be best to install them somewhere in the cabin.

With any inverter, installing it close to the batteries is best. they're very sensitive to voltage drop and unless you run large enough cable, it can present a problem. It's much easier to move the higher voltage AC forward to the cabin, than it is to move the lower voltage (higher current) DC forward from the bilge.

I'm pretty sure most all Heart inverters are marine safe, but just to be sure a quick email to them would be best.

[sunnydude2]

I replaced the charger in my boat with a two bank Victron charger (has trickle charge as well for starter) from The Offshore Store. Best buy i could find. Picked up an Inverter off ebay of 1750watts. Didn't want to run the chance of having a inverter/charger unit fail in one part and have to replace both.

Welcome to the board!

[kirkster5]

The Heart Freedom marine series are NOT ignition protected. I dont know about the new Xantrec(bought Heart out a while back) true sign wave inverters though. I had a Freedom 1500 on my old tolly 26' and could not have been happier with the product I will be purchasing a new Freedom 2500 for our Uniflite 36' when the wife frees up a couple more boat bucks. I highly recomend spending the couple hundred extra dollars to get the whole enchilada so you just have to wire the damn thing up once. Plus to get a stand alone charger that will do the job as quick and good as the Heart will not save you that much money. Also I would recomend purchasing the Link panel that allows you to see the status of your charge/discharge rate and makes it easier to set up a seamless transition from shore power/generater/inverter. Just my opinion

keep us updated

P.S. I dont work for the company as this sounds a bit like a sales pitch.

[cwarren]

I appreciate the suggestion. I am definitely leaning toward the Heart Freedom 2000W inverter + charger, assuming I can get the boat bucks. I know my father has a Heart Freedom 3000W with the Link 2000 and he loves it.

The last edition of Powerboat Reports had a good comparison test of various inverters. You might go to their website and download a copy of the article (I think they charge for this).

Raul

[Salmon Troller]

We may have gone a little overboard, but had the 2000w Heart & a 100A Balmer alternator installed. Using 4 golf cart batteries as our house bank, the full use of the 2000 would deplete the bank pretty quick, but I know that for a short period of time we have the capacity to run the microwave, or coffee pot, toaster, plus a bit of a reserve for the refrigerator etc. Just don't plan on running a space heater overnight. I like the Heart's large capacity battery charger, using the Balmer while running, or the generator, we can recharge fairly quickly. It has been a good choice and I have run into no problem with the "modified sine wave" and my laptop or any other appliance.

[cwarren]

This is all very useful, thanks for the great info. Are any of you familiar with the Heart 458 line? I think it is similar to the Freedom marine series, but designed for RV's. I assume the difference is in the components. The Freedom marine series may have more resilient parts for a marine environment. Anyhow, a 2000W 458 can be had for under $600 vs. a 2000W Freedom marine series which runs about $900.

[cwarren]

Okay, about 2 minutes of research revealed:

Freedom Marine Series has an "aluminum chassis ideal for marine environment". This appears to be the primary difference between the Marine series and the RV 458 series.

It's possible the 458 doesn't support multiple battery banks too.

[linedog]

When I update my charger I will get a seperate charger from a inverter. Why you ask? I like the simplisty of if the charger goes south I still have the inverter, if the inverter goes south I still have the charger. Plus the Honda EU200 on board at all times.

P.S. When we gonna get spell check? I may be an idiot I just don't like to look like one all the time.