Hi -
Has anyone had any experience with cheap low wattage power inverter use on a boat. Prices on amazon ranging from $25 to $100.
I am looking to be able to use dremel tool [175 watt] on the boat at mooring.
Thanks,
Peter L
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Peter Lundquist
s/v Rafael
1998 Catalina 36
Hull #1669
Salem, MA
Lots if them on the market. We have a WM 500, I believe, and it runs the small appliances, laptop, tv, etc. Just figure how much power you need and proceed.
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
Found one at Walmart. plugs into 12v outlet and has one plug in for 110. I use it for phone chargers, computers etc. Don't remember the price but couldn't have been much more than $20. Don't know the wattage.
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Try Harbor Freight, they have several sizes and they often have them on sale.
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252
Saw that quote on a web site when I searched for dremel tool running on power inverter.
I didn't do a lot of reading on the issue yet but I believe that a lot of devices, especially those with variable speed controls, do not like the modified sinewave output of the cheaper inverters. You may want to check into that!
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Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP
I had a 500 watt inverter I picked up at West Marine. Note I said 'had' as it died an unnatural death last season. It worked OK for charging things, TV/DVD player; but it would NOT run the small, handheld vacuum cleaner I keep on board. The motor should have been less than half the inverter rating, but it would beep and scream and trip it's breaker any time I tried to use that vacuum. So yes, be aware that some things, even simple things like a vacuum cleaner motor, may not like the modified sine wave inverters. I've yet to try my Dremel tool, so can't comment on that specifically.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
You would hope that manufacturers of small inverters would ensure that the DC current draw at max power would be safely handled by the wiring used for the 12V plug-in connector, but the fact is that the wiring is part of the boat, so no guarantees there.
If you need to have a larger inverter, make sure the appropriate size DC cables are connected to the battery bank (with fusing). Keep in mind that if your 120V appliance is rated at 10A, you will likely be drawing over 100A on the DC side (accounting for conversion inefficiencies). That is not a trivial amount and the cables need to be able to handle it safely.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Thanks all -- I picked up a 500 watt Black and Decker inverter at Home Depot for $40, works great with the dremel tool.
Peter Lundquist
s/v Rafael
1998 Catalina 36
Hull #1669
Salem, MA