25-09-2015, 04:42 PM
(24-09-2015, 11:53 PM)Alan Douglas Wrote: I'm not sure I follow, but I think you're saying that now you can plug the device (combination inverter and charger) in when you want it, but the previous electrician had it wired in all the time?
I assume the outlets on the device are always fed from the inverter, never directly from the power plug? If that's so, then there are two entirely separate functions in that device, a battery charger and an inverter. My original confusion was wondering how you could charge a battery with an inverter?
It's not all Americanese; it's a sort of hybrid, probably written by someone whose native language was neither American nor British.
Yes, you have understood correctly. Maybe my mistake was to just call it an inverter and assume I'd be understood. The more expensive units combine inverter and charger.
If you plug into mains supply, battery charger amps are only 10 so there's no need for large cables to the batteries (just as a charger). However, if you switch off the mains supply to the unit or there was a power cut, you can use the unit as an inverter. It draws a steady 6 amps just being switched on and then draws current if you're using it to watch a movie. So cables need to be larger in that case. For example, once there was a power cut so I switched the inverter on. I plugged in a 50 watt TV/DVD but the low battery alarm sounded an hour or so later. My batteries were a bit low.
Because it uses inverter as well the battery cables need to be 100 amp as I said above.
Connecting permanently to shoreline was a bad idea. Normally there would be a selector switch from generator to shoreline to inverter. The guy who wired my boat was qualified but really you need marine electrical training and not house or buildings. There are very few courses for marine engineers in local areas. Areas like Brighton would be a better bet perhaps.
