Semi-Retired
Veteran Member
A good friend of mine and I, over a few beers were discussing whats better, 1 3000 watt inverter or 2 1500 watt inverters. And why. So what's y'all opinions? Thanks in advance
Not all inverters are also battery chargers.
It would be simpler to have one inverter capable of handling all anticipated loads. Otherwise, you have to split up the wiring and transfer switches so that some loads operate from one inverter and others operate from the other.
For me, simplicity is best.
True, but in practicality almost all quality, permanently installed inverters used in a recreational marine enviroment are inverter/chargers.
Also, some inverters are stackable, in that they can have there outputs combined to increase capacity.
I don't see where they have inverters only. I don't need a chargerOne inverter /charger. Buy a good one (Magnum Energy) and you won't need a backup. I use mine a lot when cruising including running a microwave and other appliances. I would rather have one big one generally running on half or less capacity, than trying to cook for 30 minutes or more at near 100% capacity.
Ted
I don't see where they have inverters only. I don't need a charger
I don't see where they have inverters only. I don't need a charger
I am a two inverter/charger proponent (for my situation). I use the two chargers daily to cut generator run time (200 amps output when combined).
Some inverters have a idle draw ..............
To avoid the two chargers conflicting I installed a Blue Seas Remote Battery switch so that I can divide the house bank into two banks when charging from the generator. Each charger charges six 6 volt batteries.PS: getting chargers to coordinate together outside the bulk phase that aren't designed to do so is non trivial.
I think you really need to ask yourself how important redundancy is. If you can live with a failed inverter until it can be replaced, I'd just get one. It's less space, less cost, less wiring, fewer fuses, etc.
But if redundancy matters, I'd install two specifically for that reason. Outback, magnum, victron, mastervolt can all operate in parallel with no issues. You get a better, more capable product, but it costs more.
I think you really need to ask yourself how important redundancy is .................
There is a point where we cannot duplicate every mechanical or electrical component on our boats. We have to consider the possibility of failure, how critical the device is and the cost and space of the duplicate component.
Would a failed inverter cause you to cancel your cruise? Leave you stranded somewhere? Is it worth $1K to have backup for your inverter? Is your inverter really that unreliable and subject to failure that it needs a backup?
We have to answer these questions for our own situations and our answers will sometimes be different.
What we have right now is an inverter bypass switch for the loads, and a backup 40 amp charger.
If the inverter faults out, we just start the generator and turn a rotary switch to the "inverter bypass" position.
I have an OEM Charles 80 amp charger. I added a 2000watt/100amp Magnum Inverter/Charger. They can both charge the same bank at the same time. I have accidently deeply discharged the house bank(inverter set cutoff at 35%). When I turned on the "extra" Charles charger I could see 180amps into the batteries at the BMK. It actually was a little above 180....with cooling fans humming!!!