Lighting on inverter boat. Which voltage use better: 12DC or 220AC?

Dear friends, good day to all! Recently I asked myself which lighting on a boat is better - 12v DC or 220AC, if I have inverter\charger Victron. Am I right in thinking that:
— 220V AC lighting is better (+ emergency lighting of course)?
Plus:

  1. On a large boat, my inverter will work 24/7 because (I have FisherPanda) and I have a lot of off different systems…
  2. The choice of lamps and switches is large + they are cheaper
  3. The cable cross-section will decrease

Minus:

  1. Safety =)
  2. But, this is a guess… In order for the inverter to make 220V AC, it needs to spend battery power. If there are constant voltage lamps, will I spend less energy on light?

If you have a large system, then 24V dc is better than 12vdc.
Lighting: This is better at dc - 24v could be provided by dc/dc converter if you have to. With LED lights, then the wire can be suitably thin for general lighting 7W @ 24V is about 300mA so no issues. You can also use some 240v lamps where you need them, but make sure that all engine/service areas have dc lamps.

1 Like