26
|
AnAmCArA OperAtinG mAnuAl
NW Explorations
Now the microwave, for example, will draw about 100 amps of DC when using the inverter to run it, so in six minutes you
use one-tenth of an hour at 100 amps, or ten ampere-hours. That’s okay. But what
if you want to cook a roast for 30 minutes? You would use up a lot of energy on
that one job alone! That’s too much use for the inverter, and the propane stove or
convection oven should be used.
For a short task, the inverter is great: no starting the generator, no noise, no fuss,
the power is there. If the engines are running, use it all you wish, as long as you
don’t try to do two huge jobs at once: The inverter produces a maximum of 2,500
watts of energy at a time. So the inverter is only wired to the outlets, icemaker
and the engine room lights. It will not run the water heater, battery charger or
refrigeration.
Note: Only the breakers in the panel illustration on
page 27
with an asterisk (*) are pow- ered by the inverter!
...and also is a Battery Charger, Making DC from AC!
The Inverter can also do the reverse: If there is AC power available from a shore-side source or the generator, it can
recharge the house batteries. The battery charger function receives that power through the “Inverter Battery Charger”
breaker on the AC panel. Since this breaker must be “On” for the batteries to charge using AC power, and you will want
to charge the batteries at every opportunity, we suggest that you leave it “On” for the duration of your cruise.
As noted above under the “Connecting Shore Power” section, be mindful that the Inverter can draw a lot of current
when charging the batteries, especially when first activated upon connection to shore power. Thus, you need to be
careful not to overload a shore power circuit by running other high-draw AC appli- ances at the same time. Monitor the
AC Ammeter to make sure the load remains below the available current as determined by the shore power service from
the marina, normally 30 amps
Inverter Operation
Operation is simple, and almost automatic. AnamCara has the addition of a
selector/bypass inverter rotary switch at the main AC panel, next to the “fwd
shore/aft shore/gen” selector switch.
The inverter breaker should always be on.
CHARGING:
When charging on shore or with the generator, the inverter rotary
switch should be set to “shore/gen” and the green “CHG” light should illuminate
on the Magnum remote.
INVERTING:
While underway or at anchor, the inverter rotary switch (left switch) should be set to “INV”.
The Inverter is controlled by its control panel located above the AC Volt and Amperes meters. The panel has an LCD
display that shows the present function. The inverter should be “ON” all the time. You will see the “PWR” lights lit, “CHG”
light (depending if shore power or the generator is running) or the “Inverting” light, indicating that the inverter is making
AC from the ship’s batteries. (You may need to “wake up” the remote by pressing the large Select knob in).
In summary, the inverter should be on whenever shore power is present or the generator is running, and it should also
be left on when underway. Full instructions for the inverter control panel are in its manual.
The inverter is set up by the charter company before your departure and should not re- quire any adjustment during
your trip!
Note again: Only the breakers in the panel illustration on
page 27
with an asterisk (*) are powered by the inverter!
AC Power switches
