I follow along on a blog and they mentioned that they are surviving on a 20 am plug with a boosting inverter. I wonder if this is like the 12 18 genset that FT was using a while ago. THis sounds simpler.
Boosted Electrons: The Victron MultiPlus Inverter | Technomadia (http://www.technomadia.com/2012/04/boosted-electrons-better-views/)
FYI, I just reviewed an article for an upcoming FMCA Magazine on just such a "Hybrid" inverter. It will supplement incoming 120 VAC.
Brett
IT seems like an interesting idea. Do not need to add lithium in yet but the inverter seems interesting.
I was expecting a "magic Tesla perpetual motion power out the the air" device to run an 8000 watt coach from a 15 amp circuit or maybe off a cell phone battery in a pinch. However, the article presented some interesting ideas that are grounded in practical physics.
I look forward to Brett's review of a similar device.
I ws a bit surprised too till i read it. I think other than the LI batteies i might replace my inverter one day with somethinglike that.
Wow!!! What a great thread.
I had a boat (45' pilot house trawler - 1981 C&L Sea Ranger) for 11 years. I installed the Trace SW2012, mentioned in the article, and it worked flawlessly. It was wonderful with no hassles. Just the occasional telling it that my input amps were less than normal. It just easily made up the difference.
I was aware that Magnum made great products but did not know about their Trace heritage. (Some of our ForeForums members have their products.)
It was great to hear about their upcoming Trace SW2012 like product.
To use would require mods to the AC side of our wiring including our use of the contactors. We would have to work out the large load issues. Their units would not equal the load capacity of our 50 amp (actually 2 x 50 amp) shore power and generator sources.
The other application, not mentioned in the article where we really needed this boosting capability, is at some rallies where they use multiple extension cord distribution of 115 power. (We are volunteers at the FMCA Indio Rally in January and the AC power in our area is pitiful.)
Grid interface inverters have been available for several years (ie Outback Inverters), which allow "off grid" folks to sell excess solar produced power to a hydro company, but still be able to use as much power as needed.
These inverters were never very popular because they are very, very expensive.
I use power management with my 1800 watt "pure sign" inverter to support using 15amp shore power while still using the microwave. I run the microwave from the inverter and recharge batteries with solar or with the converter (cloudy days). I run the refer and water heater from shore power. To watch TV, I set the refer to propane, then when TV goes off, refer goes back onto shore power. I also run the microwave from the inverter when on 30 amp shore power and what a luxury that is. I have rewired the 120VAC in my coach to support this because I boondock most of the time without using the genset.
This is an interesting thread for me as well... I've been hearing about that Magnum hybrid inverter for quite a while now. Rather than 2800 W, the new call hybrid will have 3000 and it's model number is MSH3012 and according to the website at this link, it should be available this month.
Magnum MSH3012M 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger (http://www.emarineinc.com/products/Magnum-MSH3012M-3000W-12V-Pure-Sine-Wave-Inverter.html)
I've got a call into a local boat supply place that usually has great prices on this sort of thing... He's going to get back to me next week. No rush for us though, because before I upgrade the refrigerator, the inverter, and add solar controller (I have my panels already), etc., I have to sell my house first ???
Don