10
the port wall. The Inverter draws power from the house battery bank located in the
starboard lazarette. The amount of DC/Inverter power is limited to the capacity of
these batteries so use it
sparingly
!
When connected to shore power or operating the generator, the inverter acts as
battery charger for the 12-volt house battery bank (indicated by a solid green light
under the CHARGE button on the inverter control panel). Should you detect the
inverter failing to charge the house batteries, check the inverter control panel to
make certain that it is on. When not charging, the green light should be blinking
slowly to indicate the charger is armed to come on automatically when a primary AC
source is established.
Note: Spiking electrical loads can cause a fault in the system (as indicated on the
inverter panel). Faults may be reset by turning the inverter/charger off and then
back on.
Generator
The Generator can supply all the AC power that you can get from Shore Power. It
can be run while under way or stopped. This gives you tremendous flexibility,
especially when at anchor. To start your generator, ensure that the fluids have been
checked and the raw water thru-hull is open. (Note: The generator dipstick is on the
port side near the bottom of the generator. You must remove the access panel first.)
The generator controls are located on the bottom of the AC electrical panel in the
pilothouse. To start, hold the switch in the Start/Preheat position until the engine
catches (10-20 seconds). You should hear the generator engine start as well as see
the generator instruments light up on the electrical panel next to the switch. Make
sure your cooling water and exhaust is exiting at the stern.
After the generator is running, turn on your Generator Main Breaker and check for
good voltage. Then turn on the Generator Master Breaker (Dockside Master must be
off and slide guard down). Turn on your AC systems as you would if hooking up to
shore power. If you have the Inverter on or armed, the transfer of power should be
seamless (no loss of AC power). If you have been anchored for some time, the
Battery Charger/ Inverter Charger may take up a large load so you may want to
keep other high draw items off initially. The generator can carry a large load, but too
much load such as water heater, stove top etc. may overload the system.
To turn the generator off, first take off the load by turning the AC breakers off. Turn
off the main AC distribution switch. Turn off the Generator Main Breaker. Last, shut
down the generator by holding switch in the Stop position until it dies.
Note: It is fine to run the generator as much as you see fit. However, it is not good
for the generator to be running without a load on it. That means you should have a
reason for it to be running (water heater, watermaker, oven/stove, recharge the
batteries, etc.). It is usually not necessary underway, as you have the inverter.