Larry W4CSC wrote:
Aren't your lights 12V? How big is this boat?
Thanks for the reply.
Most the lights are 12V but there are a number of 240V units also. I am
in the process of removing them and replacing with IRC halogen units
although I am tempted to put a big mains florescent tube unit in the
engine room.

Its only a 40' cutter.


The microwave is easy. Just run it on a dedicated cable plugged into the
inverter all the time, even at the dock. I have ours wired this way and it
works great. I installed separate outlets in the galley and at the nav
station (41' ketch) for small appliances and our nav computer/printer's AC
dongles. Noone can accidently plug the shore power into the inverter when
they're not hooked together.
I really don't like this idea although I can see that simplicity is
good. It doesn't seem very elegant to have the microwave and some points
driven the the inverter and others not.


Quick, contact your INSURANCE agent! Ask him about installing non-code,
homemade AC power modifications. I was going to do the same thing until
they told us it would void our insurance policy.
You are kidding right? If not, what specific code are you referring to?
I think my insurance says you need a electrician to certify it.


In order to satisfy the insurance company, we would have had to install an
NEC-approved genset transfer panel and transfer switch like:
http://www.4lots.com/index.asp?PageA...ROD&ProdID=493
It will do what you want. You must buy the 50A model to service your 50A
shore power connection. The unit must be a commercial, approved unit to
satisfy your insurance boys.
Wow! That is a lot of cash to do the job of a relay! I can buy a rail
mounted 240V relay for just a few bucks.


If you don't have insurance on the boat....what you've written will work
great if you use a 50A relay with 50A wiring. Have at it.
50A! I only have 20A wiring but then it is for 240V. Does that mean you
don't think that the voltage spike will cause a problem to the inverter
when the mains is unplugged?

A quick word on inverter remote control......

We're using a 1000W Radio Shack inverter to power
computer/printer/microwave and small appliances on Lionheart. Having the
fan running inside the living space wasn't much of an option because of the
noise it makes. If you open any of the inverters, you'll see the power
switch is a very low current little switch, because it only switches the
electronic drive on and off, not battery DC at 100A. To connect a remote
control to mount it in the engine compartment, next to the batteries, I
soldered a small, 2-conductor cable across the inverter's internal power
switch and pulled the wire to our nav station where a previous owner had a
hole we needed to fill. At the panel I installed a little aluminum plate
over the hole with a simple SPST mini switch hooked to the other end of the
cable, simple on-off. Next to the miniswitch, there is a neon indicator
light that runs off the nearby AC power outlet hooked to the inverter. The
light lets you know, yes the inverter is on and it's putting out AC power.
Just flick the little switch on and cook dinner...even at the dock...

Interesting but it makes sense that only the control is switched I
guess. My inverter is so cheap it doesn't have an on off switch.