I'm looking to replace my existing charger, an older Raritan 30Amp unit. I am looking to add a charger in the 100 amp range.  As I investigate my options, it appears that it might be more economical to add an inverter/charger unit, so that I have the benefit of 110 power while at anchor as well, without running the genie. I'm thinking that one remote panel versus two would help ease installation.
I have a single house/starting battery bank, (4) 6V wet cell batteries, approximately 460 AH. I have another battery (4D AGM) for Generator starting and windlass operation. It can be switched to use as house/starter if needed and could also be charged via alternator or battery charger if needed, although the generator charges it sufficiently. Generator is Northern Lights 6kw unit, about 5 years old.
I'm comfortable that a 2000 watt inverter would be sufficient for all our needs.
There are two questions I would like some input to help me make the final decision.
Is there a benefit to installing a separate charger and inverter versus combo unit?
What is your experience with the charger/inverter model on your vessel?
I appreciate your time and consideration.

Joe & Connie Moran w/Buster (Mariner dog)

Aboard m/v Chesapeake
Krogen Manatee
AGLCA # 7647
MTOA # 4641

Joe,  Will share out experiences with 2KW inverter/chargers.

Background:  Except for the last year where we have taken a break to help my
Wife's folks, we are fill time cruisers - and away from the docks 8-9 months
out of the year.  We depend on our inverters for refrigeration, AC pumps on
the heaters, other small loads but perhaps most important --> for morning
coffee :-)  We have installed 4 combined inverter/chargers - mostly for
their inverting capability.

1. ProSine 2000 (Now Xantrex):  This was our 1st unit and it worked rather
   well until it did not.  It powered everything we applied to it, but after 8
   years started to act funny and a year later just stopped working.  Between
   its complex internal design, and support policies from Xantrex I did not
   replace it with the same.

2. Old Heart Freedom 2Kw unit.  This was our 'backup' inverter and worked
   very well as a backup.  It also powering our Air Compressor, hot water
   heater and search light.  It was purchased used and lasted well until I
   killed it by trying to power both the air compressor and hot water heater at
   the same time.

3. Magnum ME3112 - This replaced the backup heart and seems to work well.  I
   selected this unit as I was able to purchase it for not that much more then
   another used Heart unit - and I like that I can purchase replacement parts
   (esp the FET board) for a reasonable cost.

4. Magnum MS2000 - This replaced the ProSine and it has some issues.  It
   would not power our washer/dryer, and it does not have sufficient reserve
   capability to start the air compressor (the ProSine had no problems with
   either of these loads).

You can read more about my history with the Magnum MS2000 here:
http://mvvikingstar.blogspot.com/search?q=magnum
But bottom line:  The MS2000 and MS2012 are under-designed.  I have document
several other people with like issues with this inverter; will add no one
had has issues with the larger ones.  And in fact one person 'fixed' his
issues by upgrading to a MS2812 inverter/charger.

To gain access to a 100A charger I would say your best choice will be an
inverter/charger - and if you do not plan to run loads over say 1000W, the
MS2000/MS2012 provide a very good value.  Magnum is US made, offers
replacement parts at reasonable cost (esp the FET board), and state (I have
not verified it) they have extra ckts to correct power-factor when running
in Charge mode.  This can be important when running off of a generator, but
with a 6KW generator it might not be that much of a concern for you.

Doing it again: I would install the ME3112 as our backup - but look more
closely at Outback inverter/chargers, or perhaps the larger MS2812.  I would
not install another Magnum MS2000/2012 unit.

Good luck and let us know what you end up deciding!

-al-

Viking Star
45' Monk Sr. / McQueen
mvVikingStar.blogspot.com