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Time2Go · 24-05-2021, 19:45

HI Friends,
Our Inverter/Charger appears to have bought the farm.
Does not invert, and blows the ac breaker while in bypass mode.
I'm thinking its toast, what I want to do on a temp basis to regain
power to the pass through/inverter ac outlets is simply to
disconnect the ac inputs and splice them directly to what was the
bypass/inverter ac outputs. This would take the inverter/charger out of the
equation. If we then blow the breaker we know that the issue is in the
ac wiring. Although I doubt this because it was working until the inverter
went belly up.
The plan is to not replace the Inverter/Charger but instead just go with
a straight up charger. We have a generator if we ever need ac while out.
Does this sound reasonable??
Thanks

smac999 · 24-05-2021, 21:18

yes you can join the input and output wires together to regain AC power on the boat.

if this is permanent I would fix correctly later. you'll probably want to use the input wire for the new charger anyways. and instead reconnect everything at the AC panel. but it depends how it's wired.

rslifkin · 25-05-2021, 04:51

It's reasonable. However, I'd strongly recommend replacing the inverter. I've got a generator, but added an inverter over the winter. Being able to do small things like pull out the coffee maker and make a cup of coffee without starting the generator is very freeing. Plus, a big charger (in the same size range as most inverter/chargers) is likely not all that much cheaper than a new inverter anyway.

You don't necessarily need a huge inverter anyway. Just something with a big enough transfer switch. For me, I have 2 50A legs. L2 is entirely non-inverter loads. L1 has a mix of both, so the inverter power comes from the L1 main, but the output goes to a sub-panel. All of the outlets are on the sub-panel, but large L1 loads like the electric stove go directly to the L1 main and not through the inverter. My inverter is 2000VA / 1600W, but has a 50A transfer switch, so it doesn't limit me when on shore / gen power. So it's not a generator substitute, but allows keeping generator runs grouped together into typically just 1 run per day to handle the big loads (stove, water heater, etc.). Rather than 1 or 2 short runs and then a longer one like we often had before.

**hpeer** · 25-05-2021, 05:02

I am cheap.

The inverter/charger blew.

I got a 2,000 watt inverter. Permanently connected to house bank and a power strip. When I need it I turn it on and connect to the power strip. A few hundred $.

Bought a 30A (does 40A) “farm charger from Tractor Supply. It lives in a cabinet, I hook it up when needed. Not very often. Under $200.

I have a small inverter and a small charger as back ups.

We only use AC for device charging.

Thousands less expensive and far more easily replaced if it fails. I opt for robust over complicated every time. Often cheaper.

marcjsmith · 25-05-2021, 05:40

my zantrax 75a/1500 charger inverter gave up the ghost. I opted for a 40 amp charger from Sterling. can charge up to 3 banks, multiple battery chemistries, ect. I've got a gen. so if i need something I could always fire it up. I opted not to put an inverter back on board. I have a small home type charger as back up on board right now but its taking up storage space.

jury is still out on whether or not I'll get a small inverter. I guess well see what happens. I am a fan of having both the charger and inverter separate. that way if one goes, you don't loose both....