Shore power--93 230 DA

[ks65609]

The 93 230 DA I recently purchased is equipped with a 12 volt outlet system. I would like to add a shore power 110 V system which I understand from the literature I have been able to source was an option on this year and model.

Would anyone have any information and advice that may be helpful ?

The boat is also equipped with a Guest dual battery charger.

I am thinking if I am able to install or have installed the 110 V system, and have the 12 V setup, I would not need an inverter however unsure.

I would maybe install one outlet in the forward berth and mid cabin areas for say a small AC/DC TV etc.

Thanks
Ken

 

[Henry Boyd]

Do a search on the topic. Last spring there was a discussion started on this although limited to installing a battery charging system.

The short version is that installing 110 AC is doable, but in my opinion should be handled by an experienced marine electrician.

Henry

 

[tobnpr]

I'm confused- the boat has a dual-battery charger installed, and no shorepower connection?

 

[Nehalennia]

I'm confused- the boat has a dual-battery charger installed, and no shorepower connection?

It's probably the type like on fishing boats with a 15A plug. It won't be hardwired if he doesn't have shorepower already.

 

[Westie]

I have the exact same boat as you do except mine came with the shore power option. It has a 30 amp connection, although I got a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter and have only used a 15 amp service with it. I did add a couple more breakers to mine and connected an inverter / charger with transfer switch.
Do you have the blank panel installed in your boat? It would be to the left of the sink on the end of the storage area behind the sink. If not you will have to find some sort of panel to install the breakers, reverse polarity indicator and meter if you want one.
One thing to make sure you add is a galvanic isolator, this will help with the corrosion issue due to ground loop currents.

 

[ks65609]

Henry-Thanks, I will try the search. I agree with the marine electrician approach

Ken

 

[ks65609]

tobnpr The charger looks like an aftermarket installation to me. The make is Guest and simply plugs into a 110 V outlet, extension cord etc.

Thanks
Ken

 

[ks65609]

I have the exact same boat as you do except mine came with the shore power option. It has a 30 amp connection, although I got a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter and have only used a 15 amp service with it. I did add a couple more breakers to mine and connected an inverter / charger with transfer switch.
Do you have the blank panel installed in your boat? It would be to the left of the sink on the end of the storage area behind the sink. If not you will have to find some sort of panel to install the breakers, reverse polarity indicator and meter if you want one.
One thing to make sure you add is a galvanic isolator, this will help with the corrosion issue due to ground loop currents.

Westie---Thanks for the info and picture and good advice. Where your panel is installed I have a 12 v adapter. I have not looked behind to check for a blank panel you mentioned which I will certainly do. Is your fridge powered or an ice box like mine ? This will be a project for next season as my boat went into storage on Thursday. Good time now to do all the research

Thanks again
Ken

 

[Westie]

There's not much room behind that panel and it is mounted flush, so if you don't have one there already I think your either going to have to find one or make one yourself. It's really just a sheet of metal with some holes punched in it. To add wiring in a boat is not that hard. If you have some basic skills and some electrical knowledge it's actuall no harder to do than adding wiring in your house. Just be sure to use marine wire and not ordinary solid 2/14.
I did have an ice box in my boat when I bought it but took it out and replaced it with a 12 volt only fridge.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21183

 

[ks65609]

There's not much room behind that panel and it is mounted flush, so if you don't have one there already I think your either going to have to find one or make one yourself. It's really just a sheet of metal with some holes punched in it. To add wiring in a boat is not that hard. If you have some basic skills and some electrical knowledge it's actuall no harder to do than adding wiring in your house. Just be sure to use marine wire and not ordinary solid 2/14.
I did have an ice box in my boat when I bought it but took it out and replaced it with a 12 volt only fridge.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21183

Westie Thanks very much. I also took a look at your handywork installing the new fridge, microwave shelf and other teak mountings. Very nice indeed.

Ken

 

[tobnpr]

Ken-
Determine what your needs are for AC power, and whether you want power away from the dock, as well as dockside. An inverter installation might better suit your needs if you desire power away from the dock.

There is a "cleaner" way to provide power to the charger in a hardwired installation, without adding a shorepower panel:
http://www.marinco.com/product/20-amp-125-volt-power-inlet-black

 

[Nehalennia]

I would install a 30A receptacle with a marine cord. Many marinas won't allow a standard 'extension cord' to be used on the dock.

 

[ks65609]

tobnpr
Thanks for the advice. I had never thought about anything other than a TV, however I can certainly see why other outlets included when considering a microwave, and fridge.

Thanks
Ken

 

[ks65609]

Nehalennia

Thanks for your response. Here again it would make sense to consider all my needs for outlets and marina connection requirements.

Thanks
Ken

 

[ks65609]

Ken-
Determine what your needs are for AC power, and whether you want power away from the dock, as well as dockside. An inverter installation might better suit your needs if you desire power away from the dock.

There is a "cleaner" way to provide power to the charger in a hardwired installation, without adding a shorepower panel:
http://www.marinco.com/product/20-amp-125-volt-power-inlet-black

Tobnpr.
I am really an amateur in this area. Would you mind adding more detail to your information. I did look at the marinco link you provided. I need to understand better " power away from the dock " implications as well as your inverter suggestion.
Thanks
Ken

 

[tobnpr]

Ken:

It's important to know what your "wants" are, for us to make the proper suggestions.
For example, do you trailer or dry-stack, vs. wet-slipping in a marina?

If you're just looking to be able to run a tv , an inexpensive power inverter can be used. The battery powering it can be charged from your battery charger while at the dock.

How much of your time is spent "at the dock" vs. on the hook? Will your needs be limited to a small tv, or would you like to add other creature comforts (hot water, air conditioning, microwave, etc.)?

 

[ks65609]

Ken:

It's important to know what your "wants" are, for us to make the proper suggestions.
For example, do you trailer or dry-stack, vs. wet-slipping in a marina?

If you're just looking to be able to run a tv , an inexpensive power inverter can be used. The battery powering it can be charged from your battery charger while at the dock.

How much of your time is spent "at the dock" vs. on the hook? Will your needs be limited to a small tv, or would you like to add other creature comforts (hot water, air conditioning, microwave, etc.)?

This is my third attempt to respond to you. Not sure what is happening. I must be messing up posting replies.
-always trailer--no slips
-usually day trips--planning to take one or two 5 plus day trips each year on the Trent Severn and Rideau canal waterways
Extended trips:
-sometimes stay overnight at a marina--may or may not have shore power
-usually moor overnight at a lock where no shore power is available
-have not anchored overnight but would like to try this year
We are thinking a AC/DC tv and fridge would be good, an outlet for a fan (that time of life for my lovely wife) but I like it as well on hot humid nights. Not sure about a microwave however another post with the same boat as ours had a really nice set up. My water tank holds 11 gallons so not sure about the hot water requirements.

Thanks
Ken

 

[tobnpr]

Ken:

Since a shorepower system is only of use at the dock, I don't see it would provide any benefit for you. I'd install the Marinco inlet and hardwire it to the battery charger to keep your batteries charged while on the trailer.

I'd then install an inverter- and place an outlet or two in the cabin, maybe even a waterproof one in cockpit in case you want to move the tv outside. If you don't have a dual battery setup, I'd add a deep-cycle battery (or two, if you need the power reserve and have the room) to power the inverter. The size of the inverter will be determined by the peak power draw you anticipate.

Here's some basic info (including a vid) on inverters:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...isor/10001/-1/10001/selecting-an-inverter.htm

Mike

 

[ks65609]

Ken:

Since a shorepower system is only of use at the dock, I don't see it would provide any benefit for you. I'd install the Marinco inlet and hardwire it to the battery charger to keep your batteries charged while on the trailer.

I'd then install an inverter- and place an outlet or two in the cabin, maybe even a waterproof one in cockpit in case you want to move the tv outside. If you don't have a dual battery setup, I'd add a deep-cycle battery (or two, if you need the power reserve and have the room) to power the inverter. The size of the inverter will be determined by the peak power draw you anticipate.

Here's some basic info (including a vid) on inverters:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...isor/10001/-1/10001/selecting-an-inverter.htm

Mike

Mike: thanks so much for your advice and taking the extra steps to help me out. Now I understand the Marinco inlet and your reasoning for suggesting it. I have a switched dual battery set-up and not sure of the type of batteries (cranking or deep cycle) installed in the boat. To me they appear to be of the same type but I will have to find out for sure when I get access to the boat in the spring. The Guest 10 amp charger (model 2611) is wired directly to both units. I guess I should have known this before I started with my questions.
The link you took the time to include regarding inverters/charges was just the ticket to help me understand how they work and further define my needs. I will include a couple of pics that may or may not be helpful.

Thanks
Ken
ps please excuse the dust and dirt--pics taken prior to my house cleaning since just recently purchased boat

 

[tobnpr]

They're probably starting batteries, no big deal.
The good thing is that you already have a dual-batt setup on a single engine boat, so it's a simple matter to swap out the extra starting batt for a deep-cycle or two and use that for your "house" battery (the house battery is what powers everything on the boat- the starting battery is isolated/connected ONLY to the engine). This assures that even if you run the house battery down, you always have a fully-charged battery for starting.

Installing an inverter is a relatively simple DIY project that will make your time aboard a lot more enjoyable (inverter+ blender= margaritas ).