115 volt power in engine compartment

[Boater13]

Hi, i am new to the forum. I am considering using Lifep04 batteries as my house. Every charger i am looking at is using a 3 prong plug assuming it will be used for solar on land.

How do I install an outlet in the engine compartment that is acceptable to this kind of charger?
ie. It wants a ground.
Thanks

 

[Shoyrtt]

Hi, i am new to the forum. I am considering using Lifep04 batteries as my house. Every charger i am looking at is using a 3 prong plug assuming it will be used for solar on land.

How do I install an outlet in the engine compartment that is acceptable to this kind of charger?
ie. It wants a ground.
Thanks

What model and size boat is this going in? I have made the switch to lithium batteries for my 450EB and replaced the old charger with a new charger inverter from Victron Energy. Tell us how many and the ratings on the batteries you are installing and the charger you are looking at.

 

[Skybolt]

Hi, i am new to the forum. I am considering using Lifep04 batteries as my house. Every charger i am looking at is using a 3 prong plug assuming it will be used for solar on land.

How do I install an outlet in the engine compartment that is acceptable to this kind of charger?
ie. It wants a ground.
Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

Yes please post what charger you are considering, but any charger meant for permeant mounting in the bilge of a boat is usually hard wired, no plug on it. Much like the Pro Mariner Pro Nautic 1230 chargers; https://www.promariner.com/en/63130

 

[Pirate Lady]

There was a recent thread I started that got long with responses whether you should put in an outlet box or hard wire. Vast amount of good info.
Most chargers come with a plug now and I installed a box. Maybe someone will see this and recall where that thread is.
My ProMariner 42022 came with a plug, i called them, they told me a box is fine.

 

[Skybolt]

... Most chargers come with a plug now and I installed a box. Maybe someone will see this and recall where that thread is.
My ProMariner 42022 came with a plug, i called them, they told me a box is fine.

Sorry I should have qualified, most larger 30A and up 3 bank chargers are hard wired. But nothing stopping you from wiring a cord in place.

If you put an outlet box in the bilge it must be connected to a ground fault (GFCI) outlet or breaker. I have two such outlets in my engine room and have had zero issues. Tripped the ground fault a couple of times but that's what it is there for.

 

[km1125]

I'd be more concerned that the charger itself is not suitable to be installed in a gasoline engine compartment.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I’ve never seen a ProMariner that wasnt. Thats what they made for. Same with Guest.

 

[km1125]

I’ve never seen a ProMariner that wasnt. Thats what they made for. Same with Guest.

Is it a Promariner?? I read the OP and didn't see that.

 

[Boater13]

Is it a Promariner?? I read the OP and didn't see that.

To all that replied, thank you. I have a 2005 390. Want to put 3x 280 amp batteries in. The charger is specific for Lifep04 and made by Progressive dynamics ( 80 amp ). I am concerned with the ground connection. Am not sure how to wire the outlet.

 

[km1125]

To all that replied, thank you. I have a 2005 390. Want to put 3x 280 amp batteries in. The charger is specific for Lifep04 and made by Progressive dynamics ( 80 amp ). I am concerned with the ground connection. Am not sure how to wire the outlet.

Thanks for clarifying the charger, and I'd reiterate my question. Have you verified that the Progressive Dynamics charger is suitable for installation in a marine gasoline engine compartment?

EDIT - Just got a better look at their site, and they DO make marine-capable units. They do have an 80 Amp unit, but for the AC electrical installation it says:

"After the appropriate wire gauges and lengths have been determined, make connections to the AC input terminal block (see Figure 2). Fully removing screws from AC input terminal block will VOID WARRANTY. To make connections to the terminal block, remove the cover retaining screws and open the access panel. Feed the AC wiring through the access hole near the AC terminal block. The terminals are labeled for proper AC connections, The White wire should be connected to the terminal marked NEU, the Black wire to the terminal marked HOT, and the Green wire should be connected to the terminal marked GND. Torque connections to 9 inch lbs."

If the unit you have has a plug, then I'm wondering if it's really a marine version (the marine version is model PD2180V, but it does not appear to support LiFePo batteries)

 

[ttmott]

Hi, i am new to the forum. I am considering using Lifep04 batteries as my house. Every charger i am looking at is using a 3 prong plug assuming it will be used for solar on land.

How do I install an outlet in the engine compartment that is acceptable to this kind of charger?
ie. It wants a ground.
Thanks

There is a lot of discussion on installing an outlet in the engine compartment of a gasoline powered boat. Some say it is OK provided it is properly located however, I'm in the camp that no receptacles permitted in gasoline engine compartments. Regardless, your shore power (assuming it is a standard 30 Amp supply) provides three conductors, Hot (black), Neutral (white) and ground (green). The ground which is the third round pin on 120V plugs is provided throughout your boat; usually, in triplex type of wire. For safety and compliance you need to connect that ground. Additionally, the charger case (for larger chargers and inverters) should have a bonding connection so it can be connected to the boat's bonding system.
I would suspect that a residential solar system charger is neither marinized (circuit boards conformal coated) nor ignition protected if you desire to install in the engine compartment so that would be a non-starter.... Regardless, what is the C rating of the batteries? This will determine the size of the charging system. So a battery charge rating of 0.5C will size the charger at a maximum of 420 amps. You should not really be less than a 150 amp charger for your application to make best use of your batteries which is an AC circuit breaker size of 20 amps.
That is a pretty significant battery bank - inverter? There are some great threads in this forum on Lithium batteries and charging/inverting.

 

[ttmott]

There is a lot of discussion on installing an outlet in the engine compartment of a gasoline powered boat. Some say it is OK provided it is properly located however, I'm in the camp that no receptacles permitted in gasoline engine compartments. Regardless, your shore power (assuming it is a standard 30 Amp supply) provides three conductors, Hot (black), Neutral (white) and ground (green). The ground which is the third round pin on 120V plugs is provided throughout your boat; usually, in triplex type of wire. For safety and compliance you need to connect that ground. Additionally, the charger case (for larger chargers and inverters) should have a bonding connection so it can be connected to the boat's bonding system.
I would suspect that a residential solar system charger is neither marinized (circuit boards conformal coated) nor ignition protected if you desire to install in the engine compartment so that would be a non-starter.... Regardless, what is the C rating of the batteries? This will determine the size of the charging system. So a battery charge rating of 0.5C will size the charger at a maximum of 420 amps. You should not really be less than a 150 amp charger for your application to make best use of your batteries which is an AC circuit breaker size of 20 amps.
That is a pretty significant battery bank - inverter? There are some great threads in this forum on Lithium batteries and charging/inverting.

AND - Usually, Sea Ray put two buss bars behind the electrical circuit breaker panel; one has the white neutrals connected and the other the green grounds connected.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I think he should get a certified marine electrician to do the install, not something to mess with.