I like single function devices because what I have found over time is that making something do more than one job often results in it doing neither function as well as it could be done by a dedicated unit. Plus if it dies you lose more than just that one function.

I have a bias against inverters because of the inefficiency of converting DC to AC. So I try to stay away from anything AC and so far we've not found anything we really wanted to do that required any great amount of AC.

But having said that, I will reveal my hypocrisy because we did buy a TV/DVD combo unit and one that won't work on 12V DC as well!! We do have two inverters, a 75 Watt one that will run the TV/DVD combo and a 400 watt one that never sees any use and is just sort of a backup.

I try to favour stand alone stuff when feasible so that one failure doesn't take something else down.

I enjoy having an inverter. It is luxurious to fire up the coffee maker or run the vaccuum cleaner during a weekend outing. The price of this luxury is in the battery maintenance. If batteries are discharged below 50% of capacity they will have a much reduced life expectancy. A digital volt meter mounted in a convenient location to keep an eye on will give a quick battery update. It is my understanding that 13.6 volts is full charge and 12 volts is the minimum to prevent a damage causing discharge. I am having good results running down to 12.1 volts before starting the motor. This is enough capacity to watch a DVD on the 36" in the evening and then run the coffee maker and make bacon and eggs in the electric skillet the next morning.
The sine wave inverter is utility grade in quality. You will not see a difference in electronic performance compared to your house power. The new chargers are awesome at taking care of your batteries. They are programed to maximize the charge rate without boiling the electrolyte.
I find the charge capacity of the shore charger is not as important as when at anchor because the shore cord is plugged in most of the time. Solar, wind and motor charging needs to be considered when exceeding battery capacity during outings. I am considering the Sterling Power alternator to battery charger for a convenient to install solution. This unit delivers 55 amps during the bulk phase of the charge cycle using the stock alternator.
Reliability issues will probably not cause you concern whatever equipment you choose. My Heart system is the original 86 unit and is still going. Happy shopping!

I replaced my old Heart inverter/charger with a Magnum 2000 Pure Sine Inverter /Charger. There wasn't anything wrong with the old one, but I needed the real estate it was taking up for a new diesel furnace. I think the high quality units are pretty reliable these days, so I'm not as worried about having part of the unit break down. The other advantage I see is that the wiring/installation of a combined unit would seem to be a bit easier. Two seperate units might require extra wiring considerations or if they were different brands, might have some compatability issues you aren't going to have with a combined unit.

I went through the very same analysis in 1998 when we bought our boat. Back then, I priced separate and combined units. Including the wiring and connectors, it was less expensive to buy our combined I/C Freedom 15. Also, back then, I was "confronted" with the basic question of "How do I charge two banks (house and reserve) with ONE charging source (i.e., alternator and single output combined I/C). Most people back then (in the dark ages of boat electrical systems) were working with 1957 technology. But about the same time, the combiner came into the market, fueled by Cruising Equipment/Concepts and Heart in Seattle.

So, we bought the Freedom 15 and have been learning and sharing information about boat electrical systems ever since.

In your case, since you already have a good working charger, I would reocmmend just buying the inverter.

It's your choice about whether or not you want to tie the inverter into your entire AC electrical system, or just use the receptacles on the inverter.

Personally, I figure if you have the inverter, why have extension cords running anywhere, so wire the inverter into the boat's AC system and have at it.

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[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,1083.0.html[/url]

Good luck, let us know what you decide to do.

Mike, as I noted in another recent topic, we were all rookies at this stuff at one time.

Before you start any work, do a wiring diagram first so you understand what's going on.

If you have any doubts, first figure out what you want, and then find an electrician if you feel the need to do so.

Mike, it really IS a new hobby!

I did an Electrical 101 topic: [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html[/url]

And Ammeters and Shunts 101: [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6032.0.html[/url]

All the best with your project. Ask away.