AC Converter

[Captain Gary]

My microwave oven doesn’t work (doesn’t have power) unless I’m on shore power. The refrigerator works fine on shore power or not. Should the microwave work on battery power also through the AC converter, as I assume, the refrigerator does? By the way same with my cabin lights. There is an AC and a DC switch for my cabin lights but AC switch only turns on the lights if I’m on shore power. If the microwave and AC lights don’t work unless on shore power then what is the AC converter for?

 

[Chris-380]

My microwave oven doesn’t work (doesn’t have power) unless I’m on shore power. The refrigerator works fine on shore power or not. Should the microwave work on battery power also through the AC converter, as I assume, the refrigerator does? By the way same with my cabin lights. There is an AC and a DC switch for my cabin lights but AC switch only turns on the lights if I’m on shore power. If the microwave and AC lights don’t work unless on shore power then what is the AC converter for?

no, the microwave needs 120 volts (generator or inventor). most refrigerators in boats are dual voltage, 12/120

 

[Captain Gary]

And also why does the refrigerator work onnAC and DC and the microwave not? I can’t imagine that the refrigerator is DC.

 

[Chris-380]

And also why does the refrigerator work onnAC and DC and the microwave not? I can’t imagine that the refrigerator is DC.

see above, there is 2 connections on the fridge. i believe the fridge is typically 12 volts, and there is a 120 volt converter to reduce it to 12v. the fridge looks for 120, if it doesn't have it, uses the 12 volts

 

[techmitch]

My microwave oven doesn’t work (doesn’t have power) unless I’m on shore power. The refrigerator works fine on shore power or not. Should the microwave work on battery power also through the AC converter, as I assume, the refrigerator does? By the way same with my cabin lights. There is an AC and a DC switch for my cabin lights but AC switch only turns on the lights if I’m on shore power. If the microwave and AC lights don’t work unless on shore power then what is the AC converter for?

Your A/C converter is your battery charger for when you are on shore power.

 

[Cocktail Time]

Why the hell Sea Ray called the battery charger a converter, I have no idea. Must have heard that question a 100 times over the years. Maybe one of the resident engineers can chime in. Common question Capt. Gary and welcome to CSR!

 

[Stee6043]

Why the hell Sea Ray called the battery charger a converter, I have no idea. Must have heard that question a 100 times over the years. Maybe one of the resident engineers can chime in. Common question Capt. Gary and welcome to CSR!

I'd wager a guess because it's more than just a "charger"? It's intended to not only charge the batteries but also "convert" 110V to 12V to power the boats accessories while on shore power. If our alternators are working properly the AC Convertors probably spend considerably more time on average simply providing 12V to the accessories than they do actually charging the batteries? Just spitballing....I'm not really in the know with Sea Ray, clearly

OP - I think this was said above already but none of your 110V appliances will work when your away from shore power unless you have a generator onboard. The items that are working, such as your fridge, are dual voltage 110V/12V. They switch between voltage automatically.

 

[hughespat57]

Why the hell Sea Ray called the battery charger a converter, I have no idea. Must have heard that question a 100 times over the years. Maybe one of the resident engineers can chime in. Common question Capt. Gary and welcome to CSR!

Some names come from many years ago and just stick. If you ever had an RV it is also called a converter.

Prior to modern batteries and switching power supplies with options for Gel, AGM and Lithium everything was flooded lead acid. A "converter/charger" can typically put out its full rated power forever. So a 30 amp converter can act as a power supply for up to that full load there is no current limitation. The lead acid batteries would naturally only absorb the current the needed. This simple "constant current constant voltage" (CCCV) method was typically 13.8 volt and did ok. The standard boat battery sold new is still flooded lead acid so the name has stuck.

This would not properly fully charge a modern AGM which are better near 14.2 - 14.6 volts finish and then drop to float at 13.8 or a little less.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yup, technically it is a "converter"... converting AC to DC. As opposed to an inverter which turns DC into AC. Over the years, Sea Ray started labelling it "charger" since people wanted the "easy" answer

FYI, the fridge will automatically default to AC even if DC power is turned on.

 

[Captain Gary]

OK great answers everyone And thanks. I understand why I was confused. When I see AC converter on my panel I knew it also charged the batteries but my brain inserted inverter. A converter steps voltage down from 110AC to 12V DC. An inverter does the opposite, DC to AC which is what my thinking was for the converter. I also didn’t realize the refrigerator ran on AC and DC so all cleared up. I’ll either have to find a dual AC DC microwave Or reheat my coffee and cook my breakfast the old fashion way using the butane stove burner when I’m on the hook.
Thanks again everyone.

 

[Lazy Daze]

An inexpensive french press coffee maker makes some nice coffee... and you only need hot water!

 

[Creekwood]

OK great answers everyone And thanks. I understand why I was confused. When I see AC converter on my panel I knew it also charged the batteries but my brain inserted inverter. A converter steps voltage down from 110AC to 12V DC. An inverter does the opposite, DC to AC which is what my thinking was for the converter. I also didn’t realize the refrigerator ran on AC and DC so all cleared up. I’ll either have to find a dual AC DC microwave Or reheat my coffee and cook my breakfast the old fashion way using the butane stove burner when I’m on the hook.
Thanks again everyone.

Or you install an inverter and a high capacity house batter bank to power it. That is what I have done. Inverter installed in the storage compartment in the cockpit wired to a pair of 6v golf cart batteries in the bilge right below. The inverter is not (yet) wired into the 110v side, so I "cheat" and run a shore power cord from the inverter to the shore power inlet while on the hook. That way I have power to the microwave and outlets as well as 12v to lights and fridge (I turn off the fridge's 110v breaker when on the hook so it draws right from the batteries rather than batteries through inverter which wastes battery power due to inefficiency in an inverter).

Works like a charm. But my coffee is made with boiled water with a butane burner set on the cooktop. Its fast and easy, and doesn't waste battery power running the microwave