AC Power while running engine?

[MeyrickP]

Hello All, "Andiamo" here again. I should know this from High School but I was studying something completely useless like Latin and Greek!

Can I use my DC outlets without being connected to shore power? if so which switches control this function. I want to recharge my computer and possibly use a Powervac and maybe even the Microwave.

Sorry to ask such a fundamental question?

[JackK]

If you add an inverter you can run some a/c devices while underway ... recharging a phone is one. A small microwave if the inverter is large enough. Air conditioning draws too much power for an inverter. Thing to remember is, if using an inverter while on the hook, the battery life drops dramatically with the inverter in use. I have two 4D batteries on my 28. I switch the battery selector to one of the batteries while on the hook and leave the 2nd as the starting battery for the engine.

For A/C power you could also add a generator. The 28 is tight for space but several here have generators. It would be nice to be able to run the air conditioning while away from the dock.

Jack

[jcollins]

Hi Meyrick,
We routinely use the microwave or coffee pot via the inverter. I just start the engine, turn on the inverter, to keep charge on the batteries. I do charge my laptop via the inverter as well. I never started the engine for that. As long as your house battery is isolated from your starting batteries you will be fine. There are formulas around here for estimating how much power you can pull from the battery. Use our search function or Google.

[tomtutton]

In addition to an inverter, we have 2 60 W solar panels--you would have to measure, but larger panels would be great--they fit flush with the rails on the cabin top and are very seldom nticed by anyone.

Tomcat