Microwave and plugs not working when boat is not plugged in at dock?

[Nada Kovinich]

My husband and I just bought our first Sea Ray. It seems the microwave and plugs do not work on the boat when we are not plugged in at the dock. Any advise or is this normal?

Thank you #justlearning

 

[hottoddie]

When plugged into the dock you are on "shore power" that supplies the 110 volt power to the AC systems on the boat. One you unplug or shut off the "shore power" the only power you have is 12 volt DC to operate light, pumps, etc. If your boat had a "generator" (a 240 Sundancer would not one) it would supply the 110 volt AC power to operate all the 110 volt system just like when on "shore power". Hope that

 

[Nada Kovinich]

When plugged into the dock you are on "shore power" that supplies the 110 volt power to the AC systems on the boat. One you unplug or shut off the "shore power" the only power you have is 12 volt DC to operate light, pumps, etc. If your boat had a "generator" (a 240 Sundancer would not one) it would supply the 110 volt AC power to operate all the 110 volt system just like when on "shore power". Hope that

Yes that was very helpful, exactly what we thought Thank you so much!!

 

[Gofirstclass]

Nada, there is a "fix" to your lack of power when not plugged in and that would be to have an inverter installed on your boat. That is a LOT less expensive and takes up a LOT less room than a generator. It does require the installation of 2-3 batteries because that's where the inverter draws its power. Those batteries are recharged by the battery charger that's already on the boat.

 

[Nada Kovinich]

We just ordered this power converter for our cigarette outlet....has 2 usb plug-ins and a power outlet, thinking it should be efficient. We currently do have 2 batteries on our boat. Fingers crossed

 

[tdschafer]

That inverter will be ok for charging phones & possibly a lamp but not much more. It doesn't have the amperage needed for any "appliances" like a microwave or coffee maker.

 

[trflgrl]

That converter will power items with a draw of up to 100W, so check each item's specs before connecting to avoid tripping breakers or blowing fuses. It will work well for charging cell phones and possibly tablets/laptop or other small electronics, running a small fan, an electric shaver, or things of that nature. (We use a similar one for an LED disco ball!)

If you're wanting to user larger 110v items, follow GoFirstClass' advice and look into adding batteries and a marine-rated inverter.

Have fun with your new toy(s)!!

 

[Nada Kovinich]

What about a small coffeemaker?

 

[trflgrl]

Check the wattage of the specific coffeemaker--I believe most 110v models draw more than 100W, even single-cup sizes. Some 12v appliances can be pricey, but you can find coffee makers pretty easily at camping/sporting goods stores.

12v coffee maker with stainless carafe

12v saucepan is multi-purpose--you could heat water for coffee/tea (think French press or similar), as well as cook small meals.

 

[Nada Kovinich]

Wow this is great! We are just getting use to things! Our last boat was a rinker bowrider so we are just learning. My father use to have a 300 Sea Ray but I think he's getting sick of our questions

 

[Bt Doctur]

You dont have an understanding on how things work. At the minimum I had a 1200 watt and at full rated output is would draw almost 60 amps DC from the battery. Plus you dont want anything hooked to the engine starting battery . House batteries you can afford to kill but never a engine starting battery

 

[Nada Kovinich]

That converter will power items with a draw of up to 100W, so check each item's specs before connecting to avoid tripping breakers or blowing fuses. It will work well for charging cell phones and possibly tablets/laptop or other small electronics, running a small fan, an electric shaver, or things of that nature. (We use a similar one for an LED disco ball!)

If you're wanting to user larger 110v items, follow GoFirstClass' advice and look into adding batteries and a marine-rated inverter.

Have fun with your new toy(s)!!

Where do I get this LED disco ball

 

[Nada Kovinich]

Check the wattage of the specific coffeemaker--I believe most 110v models draw more than 100W, even single-cup sizes. Some 12v appliances can be pricey, but you can find coffee makers pretty easily at camping/sporting goods stores.

12v coffee maker with stainless carafe

12v saucepan is multi-purpose--you could heat water for coffee/tea (think French press or similar), as well as cook small meals.

How will I have a coffee and baileys in the morning without a coffee maker when we are anchored out lol

 

[JVM225]

Do you have an alcohol stove in the boat? If not, consider a small propane camping stove and a suitable coffee pot. They are cheap at places like Walmart, easy to store, and work well.

 

[Bt Doctur]

buy a bigger boat with a generator

 

[KevinC]

How will I have a coffee and baileys in the morning without a coffee maker when we are anchored out lol

Make friends with someone that has a boat with power and raft up with them. Boating Is more fun with friends anyway.

Or skip the coffee and just have the Bailey's

-Kevin

 

[Lazy Daze]

As a general rule of thumb, anything that "heats" will require a substantial inverter ($$) and, ideally, more batteries than what you currently have. Since you have the shore power package, you probably have either the alcohol/electric stove or the butane stove in your galley. Butane works great - heats quickly. Alcohol is reliable, but it's slow to heat. If alcohol, consider something like a Magma grill that you can mount topsides (you'll use it for grilling, too). Even if you have the butane stove, it's still much nicer to cook topsides. That's the way we did it with our Dancer when on the hook (no generator) -- we used a Magma... boiled water, then used a french press coffee maker (makes GOOD coffee!).

 

[joelife]

I use a portable one burner Coleman butane stove I bought at Walmart for $20.00 I have been using for years to make coffee with a peculator coffee pot or I use the tea kettle make hot water and use either a small plastic drip for a cup at a time or I use the Nescafe instant very good.
When I do not have access to shore power.
Enjoy your boat.

 

[trflgrl]

First order of business (yes, before you play with the toys all of us are suggesting): familiarize with your battery setup and how to manage it. Start with the original documentation for your boat and verify it's still working according to those specs; if it's not, document what's different and decide if it's optimal for the boating lifestyle you prefer.

For example, if you have 2 batteries on a selector switch, choose one battery or the other while you're anchored; don't set it to "both." That one will run the house while you preserve the other for starting the engine.

Please forgive if this sounds too elementary....I'm by no means a pro, but was lucky enough to boat with some more experienced folks--and find this forum--before getting my cruiser. I really appreciated having all the Cliff's Notes on things that seem basic but can make or break a day on the water!

 

[b_arrington]

Enjoy your new boat!

How about a propane Magma kettle BBQ? The Marine Kettle 2 version comes with a ring for cooking with a pot. Boil some water in a kettle, then make your coffee with a French press. Better coffee anyway! Plus you have the stove for a hot breakfast. Plus hot dogs and burger on the boat are delicious!

Magma grills have lots of mounting options - I mount mine in a fishing rod holder.

The reason I'm suggesting this is that it does't use any electricity. Inverters connected to anything that heats water use a LOT of power, and 12V appliances are very slow to heat. It's really no fun at all to find you've drained your battery making your morning coffee.