Breaker switches

[stugots]

Got a question, im new to these "larger boats" and in my breaker box I have a switch named "converter" in the shore power side and when we flip on it I hear a hum, what is the converter?

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Breaker switches

converting DC to AC power? what kind of boat do you have?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Breaker switches

Sound like it has an INverter, which makes 120V AC power from a 12V source.
An inverter can drain a battery bank quickly so pay attantion to it. Hopefully you have dedicated starting batteries that aren't connected to the house bank.

 

[stugots]

Re: Breaker switches

its a wellcraft monte carlo.

I was HOPING thats what it was, PREYING in fact, so basically all the 110 outlets should work when that switch is on correct?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Breaker switches

Not necessarily. Only the circuits that are connected to the inverter will have 120V when off shorepower. I've seen 'em installed different ways on different boats. One of my neighbors has an inverter on his charter boat but it's only connected to the fridge and one dedicated inverter recepticle.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Breaker switches

its a wellcraft monte carlo.

I was HOPING thats what it was, PREYING in fact, so basically all the 110 outlets should work when that switch is on correct?

not to sound like a richard but, try it and see.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Breaker switches

Disconnect from the shore power and see what works (lights, fridge, etc). The flip the converter switch and recheck things to see what's on the circuit. It won't be many.

How many batteries do you have, not counting the one for the generator (if equipped)? If you have 2 or 4 stationed together, your house batteries are more than likely also your starting batteries and you may not have a dedicated cranking battery. That is why the manual advises to either run the engines (to charge), run the gennie (to charge), or connect the shore power (to charge)...see a pattern?

If your fridge is on the converter circuit (it may not be if it's a 110v/12v), you can gain a lot of extra battery life by turning off the breaker to it when the engines/genset are off. The fridge eats a lot of battery power if it's going thru the inverter.

 

[stugots]

Re: Breaker switches

2 batteries, no generator that ive found yet, the fridge works on batt power without the converter, it has a breaker on the 12v side and shore power side and both work.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Breaker switches

You really can't miss the genset. It's about the size of a house dishwasher.

2 batteries means your house batteries (the ones that power the interior) are also the cranking batteries. Until you get used to your setup and know what you can run and for how long you can run it, I recommend you invest in a jump box or a small 1500 KW genset. Both are a great addition to the boat over it's life. It's money well spent. Or, at the least, take a fully charged spare battery out with you.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Breaker switches

Sound like it has an INverter.

I would think that if the switch says convertor that is what it is. Convert AC to DC when you plug into shore so it will charge batteries, and run the plugged in accessories. If it is set up like an RV, which I imagine that it is, all your lights run from battery (DC), and anything that gets plugged in runs direct from AC. If you loose AC power the plugs won't work but the lights will.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Breaker switches

Sound like it has an INverter, which makes 120V AC power from a 12V source.
An inverter can drain a battery bank quickly so pay attantion to it. Hopefully you have dedicated starting batteries that aren't connected to the house bank.

If the breaker is in the SHORE POWER SIDE and turning it on causes the hum I would say it must be as labeled, a converter. Converters due hum as they charge your batteries. Was the boat plugged into shore power when you turned it on and hear the hum? If you turned on a breaker in the DC side of the panel and heard a hum then I might suspect an inverter.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Breaker switches

If you haven't figured it out yet... YES the converter charges the batts and powers the 12v stuff while hooked to shore power.... (I have the same boat btw)