AC Outlets question

WTP07

New Member
Jul 16, 2008
219
Southwestern Ontario
Boat Info
1985 Cruisers Inc
Ultra Vee 336
Engines
T454 Crusaders - 700HP
On my boat this weekend, discovered while anchored at the mooring balls in PIB, that I have no AC power from my outlets without the shore power attached. Shouldn't I get AC when the main breaker and converter switches are on?

Or do I need to buy a giant inverter for this situation?

Cheers,

Randy.
 
No what?

No I shouldn't get AC when not on shore power?

No I shouldn't buy a giant inverter?
 
Your onboard electric is mainly DC. There are three basic ways to have AC voltage on your boat (there are others...but keeping it simple)

1.Shore power
2.Generator
3.Inverter

So the answer to you questions above are

WPT07 said:
Shouldn't I get AC when the main breaker and converter switches are on?

Answer: NO..the "converter" is your DC Battery charger.

WPT07 said:
do I need to buy a giant inverter for this situation?

Yes. The Yes, depending on your DC source (battery banks) and AC amperage requirements. Or install a generator.
 
Last edited:
Thanks!

I have a genny, but didn't bring it this weekend....

I will invest in an inverter and a couple more batteries.

Cheers,

Randy.
 
Dominic is filling you full of BS. You should get AC while on the hook even if you are unplugged from the dock. I do. I would check your converters polarity circuit as they are known to go bad.

Hope that helps.
 
Dominic is filling you full of BS. You should get AC while on the hook even if you are unplugged from the dock. I do. I would check your converters polarity circuit as they are known to go bad.

Hope that helps.

Is April fools' day today?
 
Thanks!

I have a genny, but didn't bring it this weekend....

I will invest in an inverter and a couple more batteries.

Cheers,

Randy.

Only certain items are capable of being run by more batteries and an inverter. I'm guessing that the ones you want to run are not. Running AC from batteries and an inverter is very inefficient, creates heat, and drains the heck out of batteries. It can be done, but it's not the usual course. That's why these boats come with generators, not huge inverters and battery banks.
 
I'm guessing that the ones you want to run are not.

Actually all I want to run is a small fan, and the charger for my laptop. Maybe 400 watts total. Not really needing a huge inverter I guess.

I really just wanted to know if my outlets are supposed to work when I am not attached to shore power. :huh: More confused now than before. I get a couple no's, one yes and one questioning my intelligence.

I guess I will ask the dealer I got it from.
 
You might be able to run a small (~5kbtu) AC for a couple of hours from a 1500w inverter and a dedicated deep cycle battery bank of about 300ah, and possibly a high amp alternator but you are looking at a very expensive and complex alternative to a 12vdc fan or two.
 
Let's be clear here. I do NOT want to run an AIR CONDITIONER, I am looking to see if my 120v Alternating Current outlets are supposed to work when I am detached from shore power.
 
Dominic is filling you full of BS. You should get AC while on the hook even if you are unplugged from the dock. I do. I would check your converters polarity circuit as they are known to go bad.

Hope that helps.

No wonder you can't get passed two balls:smt101
 
Let's be clear here. I do NOT want to run an AIR CONDITIONER, I am looking to see if my 120v Alternating Current outlets are supposed to work when I am detached from shore power.

No they are not!

There is no inverter to convert the 12 VDC from your batteries to 110 AC. You can use an AC generator for 110 VAC power.

If you are just looking to charge your computer and run a fan, I would look for something that would run from your 12 VDC batteries. That would be a cheaper way to go, rather that buy a generator.
 
Actually all I want to run is a small fan, and the charger for my laptop. Maybe 400 watts total. Not really needing a huge inverter I guess.

I really just wanted to know if my outlets are supposed to work when I am not attached to shore power. :huh: More confused now than before. I get a couple no's, one yes and one questioning my intelligence.

I guess I will ask the dealer I got it from.

No, they should not be working.
AC power is supplied to the boat from dock or generated on the boat from genset. It is like cutting wires coming to your house and still expecting to have 110V power in outlets.
 
Let's be clear here. I do NOT want to run an AIR CONDITIONER, I am looking to see if my 120v Alternating Current outlets are supposed to work when I am detached from shore power.

On our boat I connenected 5 out of the seven ac outlets to ac (shore power) and or inverter the other two only work on ac (shore power) one under the refridgerator and one in the bilge for a heater.
 
WTP07,

To simplify all you need to know. A boat generally has both AC power circuits and DC power circuits. The AC is 110 volt, what you typically have in your house. The DC is usually 12 volt, run from your batteries. The AC on your boat will work in 3 ways. 1. If you are plugged into shore power; 2. If you have a genny running; and 3. If you have an inverter (which converts your 12 volt DC boat batteries to 110 volt AC power).

An inverter is rated by the watts it will produce. So, if your computer and fan used a total of 200 watts, then a 150 watt inverter would not be enough for you. An inverter can also be expensive, and it will drain your batteries faster than just using your batteries with the DC circuit.

The most effective and efficient solution for you is to get a DC fan (available at any auto store), and a 12 volt adapter for your laptop.

Good luck
 

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