Page 2 - Electricity
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THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONVERTERS
DC/AC converters transform DC battery current to 230 volts 50Hz alternative current. There are also Sine wave converters which provide the same wave form.
They are recommended for sensitive equipment (computer, television.) Pseudosine or trapezoidal converters, much cheaper, are reserved for less sensitive equipment (tools, appliances.)WARNING, LOW RETURN HIGH CONSUMPTION!
A converter does not yield 100%; it averages 85 to 90%. 15% of electricity is, “consumed,” in the conversion. It is better to use the 12v power supply than the 220v for converting. Attention also, to the current consumption, it may be important. If we take, for example, a micro wave oven with an output of 850watts, it uses 4amps at 230volts, continuously at 12 volts that consumption is 4 x (230/12) = 80 amps (with a 90% yield). For this reason, a converter must be
placed as close to the batteries as possible and connected to them with cables sized according to its power.Our view
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FOR INTERIOR AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS
The LED lighting is interesting for lighting inside the boat. It allows great savings without losing light. One may also use it to replace navigation or mooring lights.
Here too the savings will be substantial but always use certified products. Never take chances with safety.THE END OF A BAD REPUTATION
Hoping for huge savings, users flocked to the LEDs. But these bulbs or complete lamps were not suitable for battery operation. The main problem was the supply voltage. The LEDs are very fragile components that do not support surges (which are very violent when starting the engine for example.) It is imperative to protect them by an electronic circuit. Today all AD catalogue bulbs possess this. Another problem was the colour temperature. If LEDs of colour are very simple (red, green or blue) to make them in white requires more expertise. The first white Leds displayed a very harsh white, today thay are a warm white (which illuminates less crudely,) more