Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

[amanphoto]

My question to all you boaters out there, Which is better. Separate charger and inverter OR an Inverter Charger?

I have a 27' cruiser with microwave (600W) and stove (1200w) that use about 2000 watts total if used together. They are the only AC accessories on my boat that I would use away from my dock. Everything else is running off of 12v. I have and small starting battery and a lg house bank (310 amp/hours. I would like to expand it to 800 amp/hours).

My option is:

A: Separates
Battery charger (ProNautic 1250P 50 amp / 3 bank) $550
Inverter (Xantrex 2000w) $500
Remote Inverter switch $20
Shore power switch $130 (switches between shore power or inverter power)
Battery Monitor (Xantrex Linklite) $230
Total $ 1430

B: Combo
Inverter/Charger (Magnum Energy 100 amp charger / 2000w inverter) $1130
Remote control / monitor $350.
Second battery module $120
Total $ 1600

Thoughts on this set up?

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

I like the combo hard wired into the system. I think your talking watts output on the stove and microwave. If so you are maxing out the inverter. The appliances lose a bit in the output. I would not run both items at the same time. The startup is a problem also. If you go with the combo I would talk to the factory about the charge rate. 100 amps might be too much for a couple of normal deep cycle batteries.

 

[amanphoto]

Re: Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

I don't have normal deep cycles. I have two industrial deep cycle 6v batteries wired together. I'm planning on going to 4 making it 800 amp hours. I might use both appliances together. Just for making breakfast or some other meal. That's the only time I would use the inverter (cooking food).

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

I agree on using separates.. Also you need a transfer switch either way to prevent energizing the male plug in your shore power socket

 

[Josh P]

Re: Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

i replaced my inverter charger in my motor home with a xantrex 2000w, the nice thing is you dont have to do anything to turn the charger on, once you plug into shore power it automatically charges the batteries hooked up to the inverter. we had to replace it do to someone trying start the genset thru the inverter from the house batteries. everything still worked had a constant drain when disconnnected from shore power tho. they are nice units. added: plus we got a used 2007 model on ebay for 550 shipped withe the rc/gs remote for the dash.. model rv2012gs. designed for marine and rv enviroments.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Inverter / Charger vs Seperates

The combination unit offers a lot of installation simplicity. It can be programmed to charge, invert, transfer, etc. in different ways to suit your system. The display will tell you lots of information about the system and allow you to adjust things if needed.
A 2000 w inverter is really too small to run both of those appliances together. Magnum makes several models, I'd go up a size.

 

[amanphoto]

Thinking of separates now. 60 amp pro marine charger. Just have to find a nice inverter.


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