Inverter option ?

[TommyB]

Was it normal for a Hatteras to not come with an inverter?
or was this something that needed to be added as an option.
Was reading the manuals I got from Hatteras on this new 1991 52C , and low and behold.
No wonder I could not find it. The manuals do not even mention it has one installed.
Says you can get power via the Gen or Shorepower and that's it.
Only thing it mentions is the 12 or 24 volt junk necessary to run the boat

How hard is it to install one of these, and what appox cost?

 

[magnawake]

I bought a Magnum 3000W with 140amp charger with remote. I also have 6, 6 volt golf cart batteries for house purposes. I didnt feel comfortable installing it myself so I hired the best elecrical company I could find. Also a switch to combine the starting bank so the engine alternator can charge the house bank while running the engines. All the wires are large and expensive, not to mention the switch and labor installing them. An estimate is $2000 for the inverter, $700 batteries, $300 for wires, lugs and switch. I think about $2000 for the installation. If my memory serves me correctly about 5K for the whole thing. I cant see traveling without one. It keeps the hours off the genny while running the engines. Also we anchor for a week at a time and run off the batteries with starting the genny and charging the battery bank 1 1/2 hrs in the am and same in the pm. It works like a charm. When you get right down to it, its all about keeping the refrigerator and freezer running. Not to forget about the ice maker. Its the Bomb.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

I would think that Hatteras would be concerned about the technology not being secure enough to stop battery discharge to the point of stranding the vessel even though house and start batts may be different. There is also the issue of cost in a competitive market place, custom Yachts would of course be different as the owner could insist and sign off on an inverter installation, this is technology that is not truly turn key, the vessel owner would need good technical ability to understand the downsides and proper operational procedures.
My 2c...

 

[Boatsb]

Inverters were not standard on the old hatts. Probably still not standard on many boats.


Inverters run from from a few hundred to tens of thousands depending on what you want. A turn key full boat system running everything and controlling the genny can be expensive. I know. I installed on for a customer that was close to $40k. It did have all the ac upgraded to boost and switch seamlessly though.

 

[Freeebird]

$40K? For an inverter?

 

[Boatsb]

Dual synchronized 125v 50A inverters
220 v 50 amp auto buck boost and iso transformer
220 v 50 amp 4 input auto switch.
4 agm 8d batteries.
Generator interface
remote panel
all new wire and cabling.

It adds up quick when you work with big electrical devices.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If you don't have an electrical background, you should contact an expert for pricing and installation. This is not a DIY item except for those who really know what they are doing. People can die or the boat can burn up if this is not installed properly.

 

[Boatsb]

If you don't have an electrical background, you should contact an expert for pricing and installation. This is not a DIY item except for those who really know what they are doing. People can die or the boat can burn up if this is not installed properly.

Amen to that sky. One mistake and all the smoke leaks out of the wires. Its not easy to put it back. Then again diy systems help sell props and shafts too.

 

[TommyB]

I bought a Magnum 3000W with 140amp charger with remote. I also have 6, 6 volt golf cart batteries for house purposes. I didnt feel comfortable installing it myself so I hired the best elecrical company I could find. Also a switch to combine the starting bank so the engine alternator can charge the house bank while running the engines. All the wires are large and expensive, not to mention the switch and labor installing them. An estimate is $2000 for the inverter, $700 batteries, $300 for wires, lugs and switch. I think about $2000 for the installation. If my memory serves me correctly about 5K for the whole thing. I cant see traveling without one. It keeps the hours off the genny while running the engines. Also we anchor for a week at a time and run off the batteries with starting the genny and charging the battery bank 1 1/2 hrs in the am and same in the pm. It works like a charm. When you get right down to it, its all about keeping the refrigerator and freezer running. Not to forget about the ice maker. Its the Bomb.

guess I'll be putting a ton of hrs on the gen. Gen on has 15 hrs on it (well not counting the few I've put on it since I got the boat).
There goes the quite coves Damn yacht running his gen 24x7

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Before I had an inverter, I would run the generator only about 3-4 hours about 3 times per day. That was enough to keep the fridge cold. I would also keep ice packs in the freezer and transfer them to the top of the refrigerator when the generator was off. This would keep the refer side cold longer. No need for 24/7 generator operation.

BTW, if running the generator 24/7, you will likely be running it with a very light load much of the time. This not conducive to engine longevity.

 

[Boatsb]

Before I had an inverter, I would run the generator only about 3-4 hours about 3 times per day. That was enough to keep the fridge cold. I would also keep ice packs in the freezer and transfer them to the top of the refrigerator when the generator was off. This would keep the refer side cold longer. No need for 24/7 generator operation.

BTW, if running the generator 24/7, you will likely be running it with a very light load much of the time. This not conducive to engine longevity.

Unless your in florida and running air conditioning

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Unless your in florida and running air conditioning

In that case, an inverter is not going to solve your problem anyway.

 

[Freeebird]

Dual synchronized 125v 50A inverters
220 v 50 amp auto buck boost and iso transformer
220 v 50 amp 4 input auto switch.
4 agm 8d batteries.
Generator interface
remote panel
all new wire and cabling.

It adds up quick when you work with big electrical devices.

I guess I'm missing something here. Not questioning your pricing, but how can anybody justify that kind of expense when all they have to do is run their genset(s)?

I understand the concept of running refrigerators etc. while underway and not using the generator period, but why do you need that much inverter power? It's not like you can run your AC units off of them, and if you're going to run the genset for that... ???

 

[Freeebird]

In that case, an inverter is not going to solve your problem anyway.

I'm sure he was talking about the generator loading issue.

 

[Boatsb]

I guess I'm missing something here. Not questioning your pricing, but how can anybody justify that kind of expense when all they have to do is run their genset(s)?

I understand the concept of running refrigerators etc. while underway and not using the generator period, but why do you need that much inverter power? It's not like you can run your AC units off of them, and if you're going to run the genset for that... ???

Everything could and did run on the inverters. When they needed more power it Started the genny and shut it down too. When you have a 7 figure yacht or motor home you do not worry about $40k.

the owners cared more about comfort than saving money. They could sleep in ac and not worry about the genny running all night if it wasnt needed.

 

[Freeebird]

Everything could and did run on the inverters. When they needed more power it Started the genny and shut it down too. When you have a 7 figure yacht or motor home you do not worry about $40k.

the owners cared more about comfort than saving money. They could sleep in ac and not worry about the genny running all night if it wasnt needed.

That inverter setup ran the AC and refrigerator? For how long? How many AC units?

I would think hearing the genset firing up every few hours would be annoying if nothing else. If it's a seven figure yacht, they shouldn't hear/feel a genset running anyway. Again, no offense, but I don't get it.

 

[MikeP]

"Was it normal for a Hatteras to not come with an inverter?"

Back in those days inverters were very inefficient and it was (for Hatt, anyway) up to the dealers to install one if the buyer wanted one. Our boat had one installed by the original dealer - Hatteras of Lauderdale. It would kill the batteries in 4-5 hours, spinning (that's how it was done then) what looked pretty much like a big starter motor. The previous (2nd) owner had a big piece of tape across the inverter "on" switch at the panel with "DO NOT TURN ON) in huge black letters.

I replaced that inverter with an Outback 3232 in '05 and it's a great unit. It's very efficient and I heartily recommend it. I think the current price is around 1800 bucks. It will easily run what you need overnight (or longer) with no difficulty at all. Ours ran the fridge for 36 hours when the bottom was being painted and the batteries weren't even down enough to tell any difference in starting the boat when it was dropped back in the water.

As noted, $40,000 installations aside, the typical inverter is not going to run AC, stove, or any of the 240VAC appliances. But it will run the usual 120VAC items that most people want to operate overnight - fridge, lights, stereo/TV, hair dryer, microwave, etc. I wouldn't want to be without our Outback!

 

[magnawake]

Another thing I did was buy some styrofoam insulation and cut pieces to fit around the refrig. Prolly 1" on each side and top. Last year while on the hook, the frig would run all the time (July in NC). It would cycle off at about 3:00 am finally. This year after insulated it would cycle off 4:00 pm, then throughout the evening and night. With the windows open and temps in the 80's inside the boat (without the AC running of course). The evening the temps would drop in the 70's. I love the peace and quite of swinging on the hook especially at Cape Lookout and Ocracoke. The inverter also keeps all the computers, phones and other electronic gadgets charged up without worrying about charging them only when the genny is running. Not saying you cant do without one because you can, but I love mine and I wouldnt be without it. I think the Hatteras factory wasnt thinking most Hatts would be cruising full time. However, I wonder if the long range cruiser came stock with an inverter.

 

[Boatsb]

Bird the inverter could run the for 6 hours both units or about 14 for the staterooms only. If b there was room for more batteries it would have run longer. The genny is shock mounted and in a hush box and the owners could not hear it start from their cabin.

It was what they wanted. Not something I would do on my boat.

 

[Boatsb]

Bird it's like buying an electric car. No real need but you can brag about it.