Installing an inverter.

[Nomdaica]

Hi everyone,

Neptune took my inverter this weekend with a pop and a spark. I have been told the one I had was basically disposable and made only for boaters on weekends to plug in their iPods.

I am going to purchase a new one this week from the marine consignment we have here.

Question, can I just install it on the old wire that was there before? I assume I need to add a fuze to match, as the old inverter had a 20amp fuze just before the inverter itself.

I know nothing of electrical..... I'm sorry if I sound stupid.

Joel.

Any tips or lessons learned?

[colemj]

You can really get in trouble installing anything more than a pocket inverter without knowing anything about it. Lethal voltages and ability to cause fire. There is no way anyone can advise you on wiring without knowing the details of the inverter and the present wiring.

If the 20amp fuse was on the DC side, this is a pocket inverter and can most likely be replace with like, but nothing larger. If it was on the AC side, then you have stepped up into an area you should get expertise with.

Mark

[Nomdaica]

Originally Posted by colemj

You can really get in trouble installing anything more than a pocket inverter without knowing anything about it. Lethal voltages and ability to cause fire. There is no way anyone can advise you on wiring without knowing the details of the inverter and the present wiring.

If the 20amp fuse was on the DC side, this is a pocket inverter and can most likely be replace with like, but nothing larger. If it was on the AC side, then you have stepped up into an area you should get expertise with.

Mark

Hmmmm this is exactly why I made this post. So once I purchase the inverter, I should comeback with more details. However, I thought the inverter basically went almost straight from the batteries...... The fuze would just have to match the requirements of the new inverter I buy no?

[colemj]

There will be a fuse from the battery to the inverter, but there will (should) also be a fuse protecting the AC load - this is typically on a panel or switch, but may be built into the inverter itself. Here is where one needs to know what type of inverter it is. Not the exact brand, etc, but the power output. If it is a 200 watt pocket inverter, these are pretty harmless (and useless for more than charging electronics or running very small loads like a TV). However, if it is a 2000W, then that is another ballpark altogether.

The inverter certainly hooks to the batteries. If the old one had a 20 amp fuse on the battery side, then it must have been a small pocket inverter. If you replace it with a similar one (the important criteria is the wattage size), then there will most likely be no problem.

The fuse has to match the current draw on the wire, so the inverter has to be fused AND wired sufficiently. You may not be able to drop a larger inverter and fuse on your present wire (hence the need to know the wire size and inverter size before being able to give much advice).

If it is a pocket sized one (or even larger), you can find inexpensive new replacements at Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc and not have to get a used one from a consignment shop.

Mark