Shore Power Charger location

[Craig Illman]

I've seen posts that suggested the factory shore power charger was mounted under the galley sink. My factory charger had already been replaced by a PO and was located under the Nav table. I've since upgraded to a Xantrex XC series, that now resides in the former wet locker, aft of the Nav table. I'm contemplating adding a simple 1000W inverter, not intending to tie to the existing AC circuitry. On my 1991, is it likely the factory charger was under the galley sink? Under the drawer, aft of the water heater, or somewhere else? It would certainly be preferred to stay close to the house bank. It's a lot easier and cheaper to extend 120V watts versus 12V watts.

Craig

[Stu Jackson]

Craig, prior posts on separate inverter installations include:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=833.0, http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1083.0 and http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2170.0

I'm not quite sure what your question is related to the shorepower charger location and the inverter.  If, as you say, you are NOT planning to connect the inverter to the existing AC system on the boat, and are ONLY going to use the receptacles on the inverter for AC power, you do not need a transfer switch on the AC side, and, therefore, you ONLY have to connect the inverter to the house bank with DC wiring, sized appropriately for the inverter load based on the inverter's draw as shown in the inverter installation manual..

The DC output wiring of the shorepower charger TO the batteries is MUCH smaller than you need for the DC cables FROM the house bank TO the inverter.

Please help me understand what you are trying to learn.

[Craig Illman]

Stu - Thanks, I was inquiring about whether there was space for the invertor under the galley sink where the original charger may have been because of the proximity to the house bank. The invertor manual suggests #2 cabling.

After doing the search I should have done in the first place, I see that on my 1991, the charger was likely out in the cockpit port lazerette or the starboard rear lazerette. The 15 - 30 amps the shorepower charger outputs gives a lot more flexibility on location, than the 100+ amp demands of an invertor.

I think for the coming season I'm just going to use some of the #1 & #2 cable I had leftover from my alternator upgrade and hook the invertor up to the house bank temporarily for the few times I'll want to run the microwave while at anchor. This winter I'll come up with a more elegant installation.

Craig

[Jim Price]

Craig, on my 1991, the old charger was under the nav table where I mounted my TrueCharge.  I don't know how a charger could have been under the galley sink as I have the hot water heater and a "silverware" drawer under the sink - and it is tight in there.  Plus I would always worry about the sink or hoses leaking and getting water in the charger. 

Now in the TOP on my wet locker, I do have the AM/FM/CD radio mounted through the wall over the nav table and I also have the wiring for the AC/Heat thermostat and the XM Satellight converter for the radio.  Still can hang jackes and Sospenders in there.

[Craig Illman]

Jim - Thanks, possibly the Newmar charger that was on the boat when I purchased Espresso was in the original location after all. I haven't stumbled across any evidence of an alternate location, other than four no longer used mounting holes on the base of the port cockpit lazerette near the back of the 120V outlet in the head. I'll probably mount the invertor under the Nav table, but I need to replace the factory #4 from the house bank to the rear of the panel and probably add a surface mount breaker or fuse between the panel and the invertor.

Craig

[Ron Hill]

Craig : I don't believe that a charger was a factory option until the MKII in 1995.  Then i think they installed a "Charles" charger.
I'd make sure that your inverter is in a well ventilated location, like under the nav table.  A thought 

[Craig Illman]

Ron - Good advice! I'm surprised that a shore power charger would be an option and not standard equipment. That explains why others' chargers were in all these different places. My '63 Chevy sure had a lot less features than my '98 Honda, then again, I only paid about 5% of what my Accord cost.

Craig

[ssk]

My 1994 has a Heart 2000 charger/inverter on a shelf high and inside of the port locker aft of the nav station.  It is listed in the  owners manual as a factory installation.  Works like a dream.  Keeps 3 house batteries and starter battery ready and willing.