12v Pure Sine Wave Inverter Installation Tips for Boat and Yacht Owners

It is a given that power inverters are mostly installed in car, campers, and trucks, but did you know that it can be used in boats and yachts, as well? Thanks to its compact size, a 12v pure sine wave inverter makes a perfect addition to any marine vehicle. It allows you to use a wide range of electrical appliances and power tools at sea by converting DC power from a battery bank to standard AC power.

 Tips on installing inverters in boats and yachts

If you’re going to install an inverter in your yacht or boat, here are a few pointers you should consider to keep everyone safe and ensure the device’s optimum performance.

1. Use the right cables. During installation, make sure that you use the right cables. For instance, a 2000w inverter is expected to draw up 200 amps from your battery bank, which is more than many engine starter motors can provide. For this reason, you will need large diameter cables, short runs, and good connections.

If your inverter has a higher power output, like 3000w or more, experts advise using 50mm cables with a maximum length of 1.5 metres. They should have properly crimped lugs, not screw connectors as they could become loose during operation. Anything less than that is not recommended as it could negatively affect the performance of your 12v or 24v pure sine wave inverter. You could lose too much power down the line or possibly trip the device.

2. Check if you have the right fuse. Unless a main input fuse has already been fitted in your yacht, you should install a 250A fuse in the supply line. Make sure that the fuse is capable of taking 250 amps of continuous load. Experts said it is a good idea to have a separate battery master switch in line as it allows you to disconnect the inverter completely in case of emergency.

3. Use the right type of batteries. Continuous current drains will affect the battery bank. For this reason, when using a pure sine wave inverter in Australia, you should consider using gel or AGM batteries as they are more capable of handling continuous heavy loads.

4. Don’t leave the inverter permanently switched on. Because the inverters will have to be close to the batteries, they are usually placed far from the galley area. Because of this, experts suggest installing a remote control panel so you can switch off the inverter when it is not in use. Otherwise, the continuous residual current drain in standby-mode could deplete the battery.

If you’re planning to install an inverter in your boat or yacht, make sure that is of high quality and approved by industry regulators. Visit Elinz Electronics to find high quality inverters.

Does a Pure Sine Wave Inverter Pose Health Risks?

There is no doubt that a pure sine wave inverter is a huge help for people who need to use electrical devices and power tools on the go. With an inverter, they don’t have to lug around a heavy power generator just to operate a number of necessary equipment. Inverters are also quite handy during emergency power outages.

While inverters are indeed a huge help, some people are quite sceptical if these devices are indeed safe to use. One of the common concerns raised by some people is if the energy generated by inverters could cause adverse side effects to the health of their users. As you may know, inverters are used to convert the DC power produced by car batteries and solar PV panels into AC electricity. AC electricity is what we get from our electrical outlets at home and it is what powers up standard household appliances and power tools. According to them, it might be during the conversion period that changes the composition of the energy, making it potentially harmful to the person using the inverter.

Biophysicist Dr Bill Bruno explained that off-grid solar DC power in general can be very safe. However, modern inverters, 24v and 12v pure sine wave inverter included, use electronically switched transformers that operate at several tens of kilohertz. According to him, this generate harmonics all the way up to at least 100 megahertz. Unless the inverter is enclosed in a metal housing with proper filters on every wire, the radiofrequency radiation caused by the DC to AC conversion process could escape through the air.

Prevention Magazine calls this radiofrequency radiation as “dirty electricity.” In an article published in 2011, the magazine explained how dirty electricity and such magnetic fields can pose health risks to humans.

Dr Bruno, however, pointed out that dirty electricity can be dangerous only when it is not contained properly. When buying a 24v pure sine wave inverter, therefore, it is important to ensure that that the device features an enclosure made from metal or other durable materials. Also, experts advise against buying cheap inverters because not only can they pose health risks, they can cause safety risks as well.

Fortunately, Elinz Electronics offers car inverters that are absolutely safe to use. They bear the C-Tick mark, proving that they comply with the applicable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements set by the ACM. So if you’re looking for a car inverter that doesn’t pose any safety or health risk, you should check out Elinz Electronics.