Trojan Boat Forum

We have an F32 without. Any thoughts on an inverter vs. a portable generator.

Do a search, as I believe this topic has been discussed over the years. I have a genny so I don't use the inverter set-up. But if you are thinking along the lines of a portable genny, be sure to read this complete thread.

http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... +generator

Personally I wouldn't go the inverter route to run high loads for extended periods. I have both and only use the inverter for the fridge as it is not an AC/DC unit, and for light loads like laptop or high short duration loads like a few seconds or minutes on the microwave where I don't want to fire up the generator for a one minute run time. If you go this route, do your homework with respect to what your needs will be, and follow the installation instructions carefully as an incorrect installation can be dangerous.

Personally I don't like portable generators on boats as there are several cautions/red flags to consider but I do realize that the pocket book dictates. I have heard good feedback on the Honda 4 stoke units...very quite and reliable. They tend to run them on the swim platform which is best but people usually store them on board when away from the boat, and that I don't agree with as it will vent fuel vapours inside the vessel. BE CAREFUL.

I'm hoping to add an inverter this coming spring, if this snow ever leaves. I want to have it available for the same tasks Big D has listed . My fridge is an AC unit and when underway, I want to switch it over to an inverter. I'm probably the last guy on my dock to buy one. I'm thinking about renaming the dock.

Left unsaid was the fact that my boat is already equipped with a generator.

I have thought about adding a inverter to run the fridge on long runs ( 3 to 8+ hours ) as I start the gen set every few hours now . Of course I normally fire it up 30 minutes or so before I get to my destination so the AC can get the cabin cool .

What are you going to re-name the dock to ?

What are you going to re-name the dock to ?

I don't really know.

Maybe some of you can come up with a good name for a dock with fourteen boats, whose owners can all claim to have installed an inverter.
Inverters R Us dock sounds pretty lame. In fact, everything I can think of sounds pretty dumb to me. My wife figures there is enough alcohol consumed on the dock to go with DWI Dock (Dock With Inverters) - Mostly, though I was just kidding.

Well if they are like some of the boaters at my marina and they all installed there own inverters the sigh would say .

DANGER FIRE HAZARD AREA

Here is what I have. A 1800 watt inverter, 4 T-105 Trojan 6 volt battery's and 2 - 85watt kyrocera solar panels. The batteries are strictly for the a\c fridge. The cost of the solar system equaled the cost of a portable Genny. Silent power. 8 years now

rickalan35 wrote:My wife figures there is enough alcohol consumed on the dock to go with DWI Dock (Dock With Inverters) -

There are a bunch of people on one of our docks who have created their own Yacht Club - AUYC. The AU stands for Alcoholics Unanimous. They even have their own burgee!

Kallen, Can you provide more info, where are your panels located, what is the size, how long for a full charge, any pics.

Looks like a great place for boating!

i bought a portable gen for a camper i had and it wound up on a 34' express cruiser when i sold the camper
i stuck the gen on the swim platform it fit perfect i put a cable and lock on it
it also had the same connector that plugged into the dock so it worked out pretty well
not long after putting it on there i found a used marine onan and installed it
we had 2 carb testers on board and was very careful
the gen set at the far end of the boat rite at the water line it never gave me any problems
most of the time there was a slight wind and carried what little fumes there was off
had a few people freak out and tell me i needed a marine only because of fumes petty sure the marine version puts of fumes also
not saying its rite or wrong but definitely be careful