Can I Heat Hot Water with an Inverter or a Methanol Fuel Cell?
17 September 2020 · 2 min · 2K views · Pacific Northwest
What this video covers
Heating water using an AC-powered tank via an inverter is technically possible but impractical for most boaters due to battery capacity limitations.0:50 A standard AC water heater draws approximately 15 amps at 120 volts, creating a high load that requires 20 to 30 minutes of continuous operation.1:41 Most battery banks lack the capacity to sustain this draw without significant voltage drop or premature depletion. Methanol fuel cells, such as the EFOY 210, provide low-amperage DC power—roughly 8.5 amps per hour—which is insufficient to power a high-wattage AC heating element directly.1:25 While a fuel cell may eventually replenish a battery bank over the course of a day, it cannot support the immediate, high-current demand of a water heater.1:52 For reliable hot water in the Pacific Northwest, installing a hydronic heating system that utilizes engine coolant remains the most effective solution.2:09
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