sensitive electronic devices, like computers. Look for the terms Pure, or True, Sine Wave when shopping for an inverter.
Most inverters are not meant to be used in damp areas, un-less specifically labeled for marine use. Taking care to pre-vent these units from getting wet is imperative for long-life and safe operation.
Connecting an inverter is very similar to a converter, only in reverse - the positive and nega-tive wire leads from the battery supply the inverter. The output of the inverter is 120V AC and your device should have a stan-dard plug to connect into the inverter.
Comparatively, both conver-ters and good inverters claim efficiency ratings of 80% or greater. This means less than 20% of the converters/inverters electrical energy is wasted as heat at specified load levels.
One major advantage for con-verters that I see when compar-ing these devices is that they can be used to charge your batteries off the water. Other-
wise, the capabilities between these two devices are similar if the intended purpose is to run silently at night using LED light-ing.
For converters there are two major players that find their way onto bowfishing boats – Iota and Powermax. I personally have used both and they work as intended.
Between the two companies, Powermax has been a strong supporter of bowfishing, offering pro-staff positions, and sponsor-ing events around the country. They also have a great reputa-tion for customer service.
Iota is well-known for the quality of their products, but
they tend to cost a little more. I
have never experienced a prob-lem with the Iota I installed on my first boat.
Inverters can be sourced from multiple locations. Make sure to calculate your wattage needs carefully before making a selec-tion and include a buffer to ensure you will have the power
when you need it.
Many devices require substan-tially more power when starting up vs. when they are running. Take this into account when making a decision as well. Good inverters are not cheap and the Pure Sine Wave models are best for sensitive electronics.
A quality inverter is not cheap. Look for a model that will protect sensitive electronic devices, like GPS units, that has a label like True, or Pure Sine Wave. Keep the inverter in a dry location on the boat to avoid premature failure.
This diagram illustrates all of the components that make a safe connection between the generator, converter and 12 volt components. The use of a relay has been included to demonstrate how to remotely run a switch with a lighter gauge wire, while letting the relay handle the heavier current loads the lights may require.
Refer to the article in February, 2015 for more info on these devices.
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Obscure Adventures Magazine