On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 17:34:04 -0400, "Brice"
wrote:


As for the inverter, we don't use it, and the previous owner apparently
didn't know **** about it, either. Currently it is not working, so I need to
check fuses, DIP switches, etc. It seems to be a nice piece of equipment, so
I don't what it to rot away. The manual talks about LED lights on the unit,
but I have never seen any. Any ideas? Thanks again!


Is the Inverter/charger a Trace, a Heart, a ProSine, or what make
is it? A Trace is top of the line because it takes virtually nothing
to have it on stand-by. The others are all high quality. There should
be a circuit breaker button on the unit. Or you may need to completely
disconnect the unit for five minutes and then reconnect the power.
(The manual doesn't mention this.)
When you're dockside, always plug in to shore power. (Make sure the
inverter/charger is connected to the shore power.)
I would not call this a "poor man's" genset. This is actually
getting good AC power without the noise and upkeep of a genset. I
think you have the better deal.
I use a Trace 1500 watt inverter with a house bank of eight 6 volt
deep cycle batteries wired in "series parallel". (That means 4 sets of
two 6 volt batteries. It's like having 4 big 12 volt batteries.)
The 1500 watt inverter runs a microwave oven or an electric coffee
maker when we are under way. I also have a little electric 'fridge and
we can leave it plugged in all the time.

If you are going to do wiring, look at the Ancor connectors and
marine grade wire. It really is worthwhile to use the best quality.

Steve