I am thinking about installing an inverter on my Cruisers 455. Loads would periodically include TV (and Direct TV anntena/receiver), microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, electric fan, lap top and maybe a small space heater for a short time to take the chill off. Likely the most load at any one time would be 1500 to 1800 watts so I have been looking at a 2000 watt unit. Space is limited so footprint is important to me. Also, I want to integrate the output with my boat's AC electical panel. I see the Wagan 3000 watt unit which has a pretty small footprint, is a very good price and is larger than I really need, but everything I read says larger is better. (there are two reviews on this particular unit - one good, one bad). The main ssue that I am struggling with is MSW versus the more expensive TSW/PSW. The Wagan unit is MSW. I read on the internet that some electric devices won't work well on MSW - microwave, lap top, electric blanket, etc. Any advice and experience would be appreciated. Joe

Joe: Based on my experience and the advice of people with much greater knowledge than I posess, I choose the Magnum brand true sine wave. Capacity says bigger is better (we have often started the microwave when someone had a hair dryer or coffee pot going). You should also consider what type of battery monitoring system you want to use -- you should use SOMETHING. Preferably not Xantrex, from what I hear. Bill At 05:32 PM 8/18/2012, Joe Roy wrote: >I am thinking about installing an inverter on my Cruisers 455. Loads >would periodically include TV (and Direct TV anntena/receiver), >microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, electric fan, lap top and maybe >a small space heater for a short time to take the chill off. Likely >the most load at any one time would be 1500 to 1800 watts so I have >been looking at a 2000 watt unit. Space is limited so footprint is >important to me. Also, I want to integrate the output with my boat's >AC electical panel. I see the Wagan 3000 watt unit which has a >pretty small footprint, is a very good price and is larger than I >really need, but everything I read says larger is better. (there are >two reviews on this particular unit - one good, one bad). The main >ssue that I am struggling with is MSW versus the more expensive >TSW/PSW. The Wagan unit is MSW. I read on the internet that some >electric devices won't work well on MSW - microwave, lap top, >electric blanket, etc. Any advice and experience would be >appreciated. Joe