Inverter

[tschneid]

Sorry for the stupid question but new to boating... I have a Cutwater... the inverter is to take power from the batteries and allow me to use 120V items when underway. Do I use the inverter when plugged into shore power? Thanks.


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[Navigator's Son]

Hello. People will have their own opinions about whether or not to always leave your inverter on.

That being said, you have a dial that ultimately chooses which source provides AC power to your AC panel.

If you have a shore power connection, then that's the one you should select.

You really should only use the inverter when away from shore power AND with the engine running to avoid killing your house batteries

 

[tschneid]

Ok thanks


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[CaspersCruiser]

Sorry for the stupid question but new to boating...

If you don’t know the answer, ask the question. Better stupid question than stupid mistake.

...the inverter is to take power from the batteries and allow me to use 120V items when underway....

Yes. That is the purpose of the inverter— take DC power and turn it into AC. Since you’re new to boating, understand that the inverter has limits on how big a load it can handle. Yours is likely 1500 watts which translates to 12.5 amps. It will run the microwave, but not the air conditioner.

Do I use the inverter when plugged into shore power?

No. There is no need for it. Shore power is A/C power.

 

[rpmerrill]

As a matter of fact the AC power switch (at least on my boat) allows you to use only one source of AC power.
Shore, Inverter or Generator.

 

[doke01]

Like anything else, the more you use something the more likely it is to break. Use the inverter only when you need it. Inverters deal with heavy current and high voltage, and this and time will ultimately degrade the electronics. Inverters also put a strain on your batteries, with the potential to shorten battery life. Both can end up being much more costly maintaining then just plugging into shore power would be.