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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I know I should have put this on the boat/motor page but I'll move it in a day or two. Hoping to get a few more replies...
One of the things I would like to do this season is to try some filming. I have an older but high quality video camera that is hard to get batteries for...and they don't last that long before needing a charge.
My other option is to plug the unit into a 110v source with the adapter that came with the camera...
Problem is I am having trouble finding an extension cord long enough...:)
I own this device called an "inverter" I used it in my truck to power up my laptop. It plugs into accessory outlet and turns 12v DC power into 110v AC power.. Don't ask me how but they work...
My question is..will the charging system on my 175 mag EFI handle an inverter..? or will the charging system on say 115/140 4 stroke handle it. I know the 4 strokes have actual belt driven alternators like a car.
Thanks in advance for your help.. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I am not 100% on this but as I understand it charger on the 175 is similar to like a trickle charge. So you are not getting a full charge back in. If the 140 has a belt driven altenator it should give a full charge. I am basing the 175 info on stuff told to me about a smaller motor(about 60hp). |
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Posts: 172
| i run an inverter in my truck for some things. it works awesome. i know a fair amount about electronics, and you shouldnt have any problem making that work to run a video camera. some boats already have cig. lighters and other power sources in them, but its not a problem to hook up something different. just make sure the inverter is as powerful as you need, they make all sorts of sizes, try to match it to the power requirements of the video camera and you should be all set. i would doubt that the video camera needs as much juice as one of our high powered locator/gps units. ; )
-MNmatt |
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Posts: 172
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Hey Mark, Your camera will draw very little current and won't be a problem. As said above, just make sure it can provide what the camera needs, which is very little, and you should be good with something quite minimal. Tyler |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.
I know the amperage draw is minmal...the key in this case is getting the inverter to work off of the outboards charging system without causing harm to the outboard.
I may try to write "again" to Sony to see if they offer a cig-lighter/accessory plug in for the camera I have.
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | I have a 150 Intruder and I did this last year as I had the same problem with my older camcorder, it was cheaper to buy the inverter than it was to continually by new batteries. I had no problem with the inverter draining the cranking battery. However I only ran the camera when we had fish on or in the net, also I have a three bank charger so every night all three batteries get a full charge to the top. If you are going to be running the camera for extended periods, between running the outboard you may want to put a voltage meter on your cranking battery. This will allow you to watch how much power you have so you don’t get stranded. Also some inverters have sensors and they cut out if the voltage drops below what would be needed to turn a starter motor.
Another option would be to run the inverter off a trolling motor battery as running the power down wont effect you safety, just your fishing for the day. I really don’t think this will be much of a factor though as the camcorder and inverter don’t seem to draw that much.
Good luck!
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | You will be running the inverter off the Battery, not the alternator so there will be no harm to the outboard. The only potential problem would be more draw from the inverter than the alternator could put out thus slowly draining your battery, but as mentioned above the amperage draw from a camcorder is minimal. Check out the fine print on your ac cord made to run the camera, it will state the amps being put out by the ac power pack. Also your manual should have the specs on amp draw of the cam.
If you are running lots of electronics, trolling motor, camera, etc off one battery it might drain it pretty quick however. |
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Question about alternators/charging systems...?