Ask A Pro
Category: Power Boats
Asked By:
David L. Walker
Date:
17/02/2010
Boat:
Ospizio Due
Recommendation request
I have a `83 36’ Uniflite SE II. It is an Aftcabin model with a lower forward Galley and dinette. I want to install an inverter and need to mount the Inverter outside of the engine room. It is and MS3000 by Xantrex and maximum recommended length of 0000 AWG cables are 10 ft. Batteries are located just aft of amidships. The fuses and blocks are located forward of the Batteries and engine room consolidation panel is located on the starboard side of the forward Bulkhead. Although the engine room is not Water tight, all electrical and plumbing are routed though the forward and aft engine room bulkheads on the Starboard side near or at the top of the bulkheads (approximately 3 ft high) to help maintian integrity. I don’t have any storage large enough directly about the engine room to house the inverter. Shore Power locations (2 x 30amp) are located on starboard quarter. I have three locations that I had thought about mounting the inverter. 1. In a storage locker under the aft stairs starboard side, but I’m reluctant, because the Eletra-San is located there and the atmosphere may be a little more corrosive because of the salt mix that is required. I would also need at least half again longer to get to the blocks and all the appliances heads, etc are on the Starboard side already and with full tanks it lists slightly to starboard . 2. In a storage locker under the forward stairs deck plates immediately forward of the Engine room. I not happy about adding 70 lbs forward, but locations are limited. 3. Starboard side forward of the engine room in a galley cabinet. Issue here is keeping the are area clear from around the unit and accessibility is really bad. And again adding weight to the starboard side. So my request is a recomendation of the following.
1a. Mount the inverter aft requiring ~20 ft of cable?
1b. Mount the inverter aft running cables through the bulkhead requiring ~18 ft of cable?
2a. Mount the inverter forward center line requiring ~15 ft of cable?
2b. Mount the inverter aft running cables through the bulkhead requiring ~12 ft of cable?
3a. Mount the inverter forward in the Galley cabinet line requiring ~10 ft of cable?
4. Is going to even larger cable a possibility? Where would I find it.
Thanks
Dave
I have a `83 36’ Uniflite SE II. It is an Aftcabin model with a lower forward Galley and dinette. I want to install an inverter and need to mount the Inverter outside of the engine room. It is and MS3000 by Xantrex and maximum recommended length of 0000 AWG cables are 10 ft. Batteries are located just aft of amidships. The fuses and blocks are located forward of the Batteries and engine room consolidation panel is located on the starboard side of the forward Bulkhead. Although the engine room is not Water tight, all electrical and plumbing are routed though the forward and aft engine room bulkheads on the Starboard side near or at the top of the bulkheads (approximately 3 ft high) to help maintian integrity. I don’t have any storage large enough directly about the engine room to house the inverter. Shore Power locations (2 x 30amp) are located on starboard quarter. I have three locations that I had thought about mounting the inverter. 1. In a storage locker under the aft stairs starboard side, but I’m reluctant, because the Eletra-San is located there and the atmosphere may be a little more corrosive because of the salt mix that is required. I would also need at least half again longer to get to the blocks and all the appliances heads, etc are on the Starboard side already and with full tanks it lists slightly to starboard . 2. In a storage locker under the forward stairs deck plates immediately forward of the Engine room. I not happy about adding 70 lbs forward, but locations are limited. 3. Starboard side forward of the engine room in a galley cabinet. Issue here is keeping the are area clear from around the unit and accessibility is really bad. And again adding weight to the starboard side. So my request is a recomendation of the following.
1a. Mount the inverter aft requiring ~20 ft of cable?
1b. Mount the inverter aft running cables through the bulkhead requiring ~18 ft of cable?
2a. Mount the inverter forward center line requiring ~15 ft of cable?
2b. Mount the inverter aft running cables through the bulkhead requiring ~12 ft of cable?
3a. Mount the inverter forward in the Galley cabinet line requiring ~10 ft of cable?
4. Is going to even larger cable a possibility? Where would I find it.
Thanks
Dave
Answer:
"
Hi Dave,
Well it is clear you've given considerable thought to this issue. Without actually seeing the spaces you have to work with it's difficult for me to make a decisive recommendation. However, I would suggest that since you already have a slight list to Starboard, that you favour finding a location to Port to try and balance the weight distribution. Concerning trim, you can temporarily secure the inverter in the space where you think you might install it, then make a few runs to see what affect it has on trim. If it affects trim negatively, then find another space and try again until you find the spot with minimal affect. Everything on boats is a matter of compromise.
Now, as far as the run length, if the manufacturers data is recommending that you keep the run shorter than 10 ft., then I would definitely stay within those parameters as you may find that the warranty is voided if you are outside those specifications.
Next, going through bulkheads isn't a problem, but there are several things you need to consider:
- Is the bulkhead watertight? If so, you will need to make sure that after you pass the wire that you fill the hole with a quality marine grade sealent to ensure it maintains it's water tight integrity.
- When you drill through the bulkhead, be it Wood, GRP, or Foam core, you will need to seal the edges again to prevent water ingress. In the case of Wood or GRP, epoxy will be fine, but if it is Foam core you will need something to bridge the gap. I recommend epoxying a section of G10 tubeing to fill the gap. This has worked well for me.
- Lastly, make sure you consider chafe when passing a hose or wire through a bulkhead. There will always be a danger that the wire/pipe may chafe on the hole it is passed through. Make sure you add some additional conduit at this point to protect against chafe.
- Finally, when you have the inverter installed, run it under some high loads and check to see how hot the wire gets. There should be no odour and although the wire may get slightly warm, it should not get hot.
I hope this helps you pick the best of your alternatives.
Cheers,
Captain Ian Fagg
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