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DC from Shore Power/Generator

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/27/2011 : 11:48:52

Planning for our 12 day trip in June/July.

We carry a 1700 watt geny on board and occasionaly rent a slip overnight at a marina when on our longer trips.

I'm looking at easing the load on the batteries when using either the shore power or generator.

Normally we are ok, most of our lights are now LED (yet to change out the running lights) but our TV, Computer, Phone chargers still drain the batteries. (We also have an 18w solar panel, which produces about 1.2+ amps in good sunshine)

So, was thinking about installing a AC/DC converter for when we are on AC power.

Found a good On/Off/On switch rated to 15ams at WM. And a 5amp 12v AC/DC converter.

My idea is to plug the Converter into an AC outlet, then run fixed DC wiring to the On/Off/On switch at the main DC panel by the galley. Then when we have AC power, just flip the switch and run the DC devices from the converter instead of the batteries.

Ideas?

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=147954&langId=-1"]Toggle Switch[/url]

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=12036257&langId=-1"]AC/DC Converter[/url]
Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 12:34:44

Have you looked at charger/inverter units like [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=46305&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10109&subdeptNum=10544&classNum=11281"]this[/url]? As I understand it, you get automatic switching from the inverter to shore power for 110V equipment, and enough charging power to handle a pretty substantial draw on the batteries--no switching required. So when you run shore power or the generator into it, the batteries get charged while you're using 12V and/or 110V stuff.

When the input AC is off, it switches itself to work as an inverter. (Or I might be wrong.)

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 14:44:18

Why not just get a battery charger than can handle charging at the same time that 12V systems are being used? With a good set of batteries I don't see why using them would place a burden on them.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 18:47:57

Agreed, the $499 Xantrex would be nice, but the switch & converter cost less than $70 total install.

We have a batter charger (Guest) but from experience we know not to run anything when it's charging (blows the batteries and the charger!)

Paul

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 18:50:23

Second Randy's idea, that is what I have and I just plug my generator into my shore power connector using a pigtail adapter. Checkout page 395 of 2011 WM catalog model #194423 $67.99. With the adapter and a six foot 12 gage extension cord your in business.

Edited by - frog0911 on 03/27/2011 18:52:04

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 18:58:00

This is what we use. Very happy with it. $210 at Defender.

[url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|985|316470&id=675016"]Charles 10 Amp Charger[/url]

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/27/2011 19:00:43

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2011 : 20:21:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 This is what we use...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Is that sufficient to handle something drawing on the batteries while charging? I think most of them of that capacity can't tolerate that.

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Nautiduck
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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2011 : 06:49:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 This is what we use...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Is that sufficient to handle something drawing on the batteries while charging? I think most of them of that capacity can't tolerate that.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, we do it often when cruising. Very happy with this Charles unit.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/28/2011 06:53:25

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2011 : 16:20:29

we use a xatrex 20 amp to charge while using lights and radio .
that has worked fine for 3 to 4 years now .

i put a older battery in the off season .
and use all the lights /radio working on projects .
it gets plugged into the house , with a shore power adapter

Edited by - on

jhinton
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2011 : 18:38:31

You can make your own shore power adapter for about $15.00 with parts from Home Depot. 1/4 the price for the same thing. I wouldn't use it on the water but for the driveway, it works great.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2011 : 19:28:24

We have a Generator to Boats A/C power connector. We can also use it to extend the geny further from the boat when at a suitable slip, such as Elliott key or Boca Chita Harbor. We connect the 'Shorty' to the generator, then the 25' Shore power cable to the shorty and to the boat.

So the A/C power is not the issue. I'm looking to get 12v power.

Our generator is a Robin 1700w and has a 12v output as well as dual 110v outputs. However, connecting the 12v to the boat system is not as easy as installing a 110v to 12v converter and a Shore Power/Battery Power switch.

Still looking.

Paul

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2011 : 11:23:14

Paul do you have a battery charger onboard??? If so, does it say in the manual, that it will charge the battery while it is loaded?? If the answer is YES to both questions, you are all set and need nothing else. Just turn on the charger when on the generator.

Top gang sw connects A/C pwr. Next turns on batt. chg. Next connects A/C receptacle.

Edited by - frog0911 on 03/30/2011 11:32:59

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2011 : 11:56:55

Jerry, Nice looking layout on the trunk wall there.

We have a battery charger = Guess brand, it was replaced for free as we got it from WM. The original blew after we ran the cabin lights while it was charging, WM were happy to replace it, mind you, we were buying 2 new 12 boat batteries (they fried too)

I could replace the charger! as you say, it would solve the issues completely.

If I can find the right charger at the right price (ever conscious of boat bits) then I would take that option.

Paul

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2011 : 17:15:04

I original purchased a Guess charger, but one of my problems, says the SWMBO, is that I read the manual cover to cover before I do anything, that is why no Guess charger installed.

Edited by - on

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