Looking at a 28' cruiser (1996 and newer) and most seem to have AC/Heat.

How does the Ac/Heat run when away from the dock and under way (engines =
on). Some specs I've seen mention an inverter. Do you have to have =
this in order for 110volt items to run when the engine is on? =20

Some mention invereor and battery charger.

Is an inverter a standard item for the most part when a vessel has =
AC/Heat in this category (1996 and newer)?

Is an inverter and battery charger a one in the same type device?

I understand that you need either a generator or shorepower when engines =
are off, just confused about how things work with engine power.

Thanks,

Bob

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:55:33 GMT, "Bob H"
wrote:
Looking at a 28' cruiser (1996 and newer) and most seem to have AC/Heat.

How does the Ac/Heat run when away from the dock and under way (engines on). Some specs I've seen mention an inverter. Do you have to have this in order for 110volt items to run when the engine is on?

Some mention invereor and battery charger.

Is an inverter a standard item for the most part when a vessel has AC/Heat in this category (1996 and newer)?

Is an inverter and battery charger a one in the same type device?

I understand that you need either a generator or shorepower when engines are off, just confused about how things work with engine power.

==========================================

Inverters are usually not a standard item and are almost never used to
power air conditioning.

In order to run your A/C from an inverter you would need both a very
large inverter and an even larger alternator. In actual practice it's
almost impossible and virtually no one does it. Your best bet would
be a generator but 28 ft is a bit on the small side for that. The
only other alternative would be an engine driven compressor similar to
what is in an automobile but that would be a custom installation
rarely seen on boats.

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:55:33 GMT, "Bob H"
wrote:

Looking at a 28' cruiser (1996 and newer) and most seem to have AC/Heat.

How does the Ac/Heat run when away from the dock and under
way (engines on). Some specs I've seen mention an inverter. Do you have
to have this in order for 110volt items to run when the engine is on?

Usually a generator or genset.

Some mention invereor and battery charger.

Is an inverter a standard item for the most part when a vessel has AC/Heat
in this category (1996 and newer)?

Is an inverter and battery charger a one in the same type device?

I understand that you need either a generator or shorepower when engines
are off, just confused about how things work with engine power.

You ain't gonna run AC/Heat on an inverter. Running it off a
generator is the only option for a boat that size.

For a 28 footer, you may want to consider a smaller generator like one
of the small Honda's which are quiet. You could add a compressor and
evaporator unit to the engine, but that's counter productive - I have
never seen it done that way.

As Wayne said, the inverter/alternator would have to be huge.

Later,

Tom

1) AC/Heat would require a sizable Inverter. 3KW?

2) Your Engine(s) can only supply about 600W each on their standard
alternator.

3) Do you really want your inverter on the starter batteries?

Your inverter should be setup on the Deep Cycle House Batteries.
Leaving the Engine batteries to start, Nav lights etc. You can get a
charger that will run off the 12V starter batteries when the engine(s)
are running that will charge the deep cycles. But typically you don't
want your deep cycles directly connected to the alternator, as it's
charging profile will damage some deep cycle batteries.

Running even a small airconditioner off of inverter could pull 150 Amps
from your storage batteries. You would need to plan on not exceeding
50% of you battery capacity, so you would need 300Amp-Hr for each hour
of cruising you planned on taking. And your available space for
batteries on a 28 footer will be limited.

Sorry if I implied that this would be anything close to a standard
battery bank. I was thinking of a bit larger add on bank. But it's
still about 200lbs of wet cells for each hour of operation, with
dimensions around 12x14x18 inches. And at that power level one should
concider 24V or more DC.

But the practice of wiring the inverter to the house side. Leaving the
engine starting batteries to start the engines is still sound advice
for a boat of most any size.