Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

[Navigator_Victory]

Stuck.....when on shore power the plugs/outlets work when off shore power they do not work....I am thinking it does not work because there is not an inverter (that I know of) from 12v to 120 but, why would you put plugs and not have it setup to work.....or maybe I am doing something wrong?

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

What about a gen set?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

110v outlets can only work when you have 110v available..... of course you will need a genny or inverter to use them when off of shore power..... the reason for having them without having power when off shore power is because whoever bought the boat new didn't want to spend the money on a genny or inverter..... You can sit in a slip and have power for everything but when you travel you won't

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

You need a seperate inverter. The outlets are hardwired to the shore power plug. Mine is the same way. I put a fairly inexpensive 4000w inverter in the galley that I can plug into. It's not wired to the regular outlets because I don't think it's internally protected for backfeed.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

My boat had 3 position switches for the lighting when I got it, 12v lights, and 110v lights in the same fixture. Outlets did NOT work.

Pulled all my 110 stuff, I'd rather have just 12v, and on the slim chance I'm actually on a dock, I can continue to run my 12v stuff, and let the charger use its 110 to keep the batteries up.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

Stuck.....when on shore power the plugs/outlets work when off shore power they do not work....I am thinking it does not work because there is not an inverter (that I know of) from 12v to 120 but, why would you put plugs and not have it setup to work.....or maybe I am doing something wrong?

You really need to learn your boat's systems. You have 120VAC and 12VDC on your boat, they are not interchangable.

I'd start doing some reading, if I were you. Or call in a professional...

 

[LIVE WIRE]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

110v outlets can only work when you have 110v available..... of course you will need a genny or inverter to use them when off of shore power..... the reason for having them without having power when off shore power is because whoever bought the boat new didn't want to spend the money on a genny or inverter..... You can sit in a slip and have power for everything but when you travel you won't

X2

You really need to learn your boat's systems.

I'd start doing some reading, if I were you. Or call in a professional...

OUCH !!! I Think thats what he trying to do ?

 

[seabob4]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

X2



OUCH !!! I Think thats what he trying to do ?

And I would be happy to answer his questions, and help him understand the 2 distinct systems he has on his boat...for a price. After all, it's what I do for a living...

12VDC appliances run off of batteries. 120VAC appliances run off of shorepower, or inverters/generators that convert 12VDC to 120VAC. Simple as that. Sometimes it is an "Ouch", but it's all in the nature of getting a boat owner to better understand his or hers boat...

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

The man came here for help, not to kiss someone's butt.
The boat is not equipped with an inverter wired to its existing outlets. It can be done but not cheaply. My solution works well with a stand alone inverter that can run small appliances without modifying the existing outlets. I put it where it was as close to the batteries as possible but in the cabin and well ventilated. I have a small extension cord to connect to whatever.
So that's the fix.
Free to you.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

baaawaaaahaaaa....you guys crack me up sometimes.....I have thick skin so whatever the comment it generally does not bug me too much.....thanks for the thoughts and advice and even the ribbing is justified......this is my first....ummm can not say real boat but, ummm boat / house.....hmmmm anyhow I have a cigarette lighter and I have a truck stop inverter.....guess what I am going to do ? simply plug and play.....easy the way I like it

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

just make sure you are running off of a separate house battery and not your starting battery.... an inverter will run down a battery much faster than many people expect.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

I'd start doing some reading, if I were you. Or call in a professional...

That is very good advice, particularly the part about calling a professional. Water and 120-VAC don't mix well.

 

[Lunker Lander]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

Careful not to mix up hot AC wires, with negative DC wires...they're both black unless your wiring is newer. At least if you do, you'll be able to jump onto the dock when the fire starts

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Electrical Panel and how to get plugs to work off shore power

just make sure you are running off of a separate house battery and not your starting battery.... an inverter will run down a battery much faster than many people expect.

Two batteries and I only use both of them for starting otherwise it is switched to one or two.....take turns switching between them so they both stay charged.....sad part is the lighter is outside the boat and the fan etc I want to run are inside the boat.....so probably back to wiring up a cigarette lighter.......good to know about the black wires...OMG what a mess that would be and knowing me I would probably wire them together....which,,,,,is why I am asking first.....