SCUBA Compressor on Leopard 40 catamaran

[Piscis]

Will a 5KW/6KW Northern Lights Generator (230V standard equipment) on a 2017 Leopard 40 will power a COLTRI MCH6 (or new version ICON LSE) 230V SCUBA Compressor?

The COLTRI´s Motor is 2.2KW, 3HP at 2800RPM with 14 Amps.

Or would a hard start system be required?

Any personal experience is appreciated!

Thanks,

John

[Mark424]

While I can't directly answer your question, this guy shows one way to get around the required startup current.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoKSq631JAc

[Piscis]

Thanks, Mark!

[JustMurph]

The short version is that a 5-6kw generator or inverter is very unlikely to start a 2.2kw dive compressor. I converted my Bauer Junior to a three phase motor and use a 3kw Siemens variable frequency drive to drive it from my 5kW victron inverter. This way I can ramp the compressor up over 5s which results in no startup current spike. You can also run the compressor at lower speed if you aren't in a rush.

[Glenn C]

My Paguro 6000 (6KvA, 5Kw) started my Bauer Jnr II compressor no problem. I did make sure thouggh that there was no other load on the compressor befoer strarting eg the Hot water system, was default on when the gen set was on, so I would open the circuit breaker for the HW system to ensure no load on the gen set.

[Piscis]

Thank you very much!

I did get various comments on the Leopard FB group from owners running a Baur 2.2KW Compressor from the 5KW Northern Light generator.
So i guess the system should be OK.

Will let you know...

John

[Glenn C]

Be good to know how it works out

[Piscis]

The Generator has no problem on running the Coltri compressor...

Using it now for almost two months without any issues.

John

[Glenn C]

Great, enjoy your diving