T&T: Wiring diagram for adding inverter to DC system

[Mark Richter]

John,
There are many ways of hooking up house banks, starter banks,
inverter/chargers, and alternators.  The best way depends on what equipment
you have and how you will cruise.  Is the boat equipped with a genset?
What engine? What kind of cooking, gas or electric?  What kind of
refrigeration?  How often will the genset be run?  Will you be on the hook
for overnight, or a week at a time?  Give us a more detailed account of your
boat and how you will use it, and we can give you better answers about how
to wire it.

The highest rated of the small-frame alternators (those sarger than 100-130
amps) usually only put out more amps at high RPM's.  At lower RPM (say,
1000-2000 engine rpm), they may put out less than those in the 100-130A
class.  Serpentine cogged belts are good at powering alternators this size;
you should have little problem with this installation.

Myself, I prefer a simple system with one battery bank and one backup;
usually the genset.    The alternator and the inverter are both set-up to
charge the big bank directly.  The genset beattery can be charged by the
inverter's built in auxiliary charging circuit.  If the big bank is run
down, you can start the genset and charge the big bank with the 130A charger
in the inverter/charger.

But some folks want separate banks for each engine, the genset, the
inverter, the house, and the bowthruster/dinghy lift.  Some even want a
separate batttery for electronics; it depends on whether you like to start
up all the electronics before the engine.

Mark Richter, m/v Winnie the Pooh, Ortona, FL
Mark's Mobile Marine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Leroy" <johnl2003@earthlink.net>
To: "Trawler World List Post List Post"
<trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 8:21 AM
Subject: T&T: Wiring diagram for adding inverter to DC system


> I'm designing a 2500 watt inverter and larger alternator set up for a
> single diesel I'd like to have installed in a Monk 36.
>
> I know I have seen a thread on the optimum manner of hooking up and
> switching such a system, but I can't seem to find it. I also need to
> decide how big an alternator I need, and if the serpentine belt
> (looks about 1" wide) will handle it.
>
> Any help?
>
> John LeRoy
> Pensacola, FL
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