I bought a boat that has a solar setup involving a 30W solar panel connected to the battery, which then connects to a fuse box. There's also a USB outlet connected between the battery and the fuse box. I'm wondering if I need a power inverter to make this work, especially since I plan to hook up a bilge pump. I've seen some solar diagrams that don't mention an inverter, so what's the deal? Can I connect the bilge pump directly to the fuse box, or should I get an inverter? Thanks for any insights!
2 Answers
Since your setup is all DC, you don't need a power inverter. Just make sure you get a DC bilge pump, and you should be good to go! It's critical for safety, so double-check that yours runs on DC. Hope that helps!
You definitely don’t need an inverter for DC loads! Your USB should be connected to the output side of the fuse box. Plus, put a DC bilge pump straight to the fuse box if you have space and use the right gauge wire. Just a tip—don't go cheap on your wires; in marine conditions, it's best to use tinned wire. You want that bilge pump working when you need it!
Thanks for the tip on tinned wire! The USB is before the fuse box, so I'm gonna rewire it all. Do you think a 30W solar panel is enough for charging the battery for the pump?
I just checked mine too and it says 12V. Is there a way to confirm it's DC? Also, is the USB outlet safe to use in this setup?