pks1702 Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 When away from shore power for any length of time we need a back up power supply. Having researched at some length into Fuel Cells and other alternatives it appears the best option is to have a 'back up' suitcase genny to switch on when we need it and turn it off. I see no need to be running this for more than 15 mins at any time. Normal cruising will charge our batteries unless we are 'storm bound' for a few days. Looking into these there appears only one choice for reliability and quiet running - Honda My question is: The largest appliance we have is 800w but I have read that the 'starting' power required for electrical items is much more than their rated wattage. On the face of it a 1KW should do but if much higher starting power is required I will probably need the 2KW which is a fair jump up in price. What are the panels thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmtree Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Hi Perry, I have been looking at the same thing, this has helped. http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/doc ... r%20GB.pdf It looks like there will be a lag in the generator pick up on both the Honda 10 and 20 unit. The Phoenix multi plus does look like the solution, however at a cost (£639 JG Tech for a 12/1200/50). I will be getting a Honda eu10i for the boat by Easter and will use it to power a battery charger for the moment while I look at our power requirements on the boat in the real world rather than on paper. Hope this helps Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Interesting Ian thanks, We don't intend to have more than one 800w item on at any one time, but I suppose I need to define what the 'start up' wattage of the appliance would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Might be of interest Ian http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/which.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 hi Perry on using a 300watt inverter to run a prtable TV/Video we had to switch it on and off like mad to get the inverter to cope with the power pull so we bought a 800 watt one which copes ok just with the surge on start up so i rekon the tv needs another 500watts just to start it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 hi Perry on using a 300watt inverter to run a prtable TV/Video we had to switch it on and off like mad to get the inverter to cope with the power pull so we bought a 800 watt one which copes ok just with the surge on start up so i rekon the tv needs another 500watts just to start it Not convinced about the logic there, it may only require say, 350 watts to start (which the 800 would provide but the 300 would not), the only thing that can be reasonably deduced from that experiment is that it would require between (say) 320 and 800 watts to start, I would venture to suggest that as the 300w nearly coped that it would be toward the lower end of that range :-D None of the above says that you are wrong, simply that the experiment does not prove the conclusion :-D :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 I did consider an inverter but any prolonged stay will rip the a*se out of my batteries when needing 800w. Still confused as to the 'start up' wattage required. I can chat to the genny dealers but they will always want to sell you the highest rated genny, as it is a 'back up' item only I don't want one that is overblown for the need it will have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I wonder if a more practical solution could be foud to acertain the suitability of a particular piece of kit. Maybe one could hire one for a weekend, load it using all the scenarios :-D and see if it copes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmtree Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Hi, For us a factor is the size and weight weight of the generator. The Honda EU10i is small , and the 900w output ( 65A at 14v?) will power the battery charger, today's thoughts are for a Sterling 1250CED (50A) charger, and a smaller battery bank of 150AH. The Honda EU20 would be better as it would run under load at about half power and give a bit more spare power for other things. I intend to go to Lings the Honda dealer in Lowestoft in the next few weeks and look at them both. Perry, the Honda generators state their noise output at quite low outputs, will your high power item be used for a long or short burst? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 Hi Ian, Odd times for 15-20 mins or so, mainly heating water our immersion/calorifier is 800w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmtree Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Perry, It might be worth looking at the size of fuse for the immersion and therefore peak draw, if it is 5A (1200w?) it might be OK. A 4A fuse would be better if they existed. Anyone have a calculation for the size of Kit Kat wrapper you need for 4A? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 Ian, Thanks for that, good tip. I have a consumer unit first in line so will check this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowjo Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Anyone have a calculation for the size of Kit Kat wrapper you need for 4A? Ian Ian, I think the Kit Kat wrapper is rated at 5amps, Bacofoil is 10amps, Benson & Hedges 4amps, and yes like you I've seen it done, Just in case anyone gets the Idea of trying it! DON'T! I once saw someones pride and joy burnt to a cinder because they couldn't be bothered to fit a proper working fuse,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Thinking about our own power requirements I checked on the wattage of the small marine immersion heaters fitted to most calorifiers and it is 750W so it is doable for one of the smaller Hondas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 Checked ours at the weekend and it is 800w. In 'theory' the 1kw Honda would do the job but I am still concerned about 'start up' draw required of this and other appliances we may use (not at the same time) so think it may be the 2kw unless there is a convincing argument for 1kw being enough (and I am ready to be convinced ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Don't think a heating element has a start up surge Perry, they only generate heat from being a resistor after all so I guess the resistance would remain prety constant. Any proper elecktrickery peeps know if that is the case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 the 300 watt inverter would supply a surge of up to 600 watts as the manual stated with it but not on this TV / VIDEO so thats where the logic came from on the power needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmtree Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hi, Taken the plunge and picking up a Honda EU10i tomorrow. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Well done Ian I think I will be doing similar before Easter. Please keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Poor old Tammy, she's going to be sitting 2" lower in the water this season :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmtree Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 David, Yes that is the plan, try and slow her up, too many complaints about her bow wave Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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