AC Voltage on your boat

Having a AC voltage source on your boat is very convenient and also very easy.  It lets you bring AC electronics on to your boat to use and just plug them in just like at home. A power inverter is hooked up to your DC batteries and it out puts AC voltage.  These units come in different out put sizes to match your needs.

There are two types of power inverters.  The less expensive type are the Modified Sine Wave inverters (MSW) and is good to run small motors, lights, fans and such. These can run but should not be used to run hi tech electronics like cell phones, plasma screen TVs, Lap tops. The modifies sine wave output is hard on these.

A True Sine Wave inverter should be use with digital electronics.  They are a little more expensive and they will run everything from power tools and high tech electronics with out damaging them.

An example of these are:
The Pro Mariner True Power 400 W Power supply : A MSW unit:

The Xantrex PROwatt SW600 True Sine Wave Inverter: A True Sine Wave Inverter

Both types come in different watt output sizes. Pick a size that meet your need.
These two are good for most needs on a boat but larger sizes are available.