Being a fairly new owner of a 2003 Beneteau 311 I find new things I don't know on a regular basis. Trying to plug in a 110v ac device to the plug in the galley area for the first time. Since it doesn't work it occurred to me this is probably a 12v dc plug. Do I need an inverter? If so, any suggestions?
110v ac
- Thread starter Phil W
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Phil W,
Are you at the dock when you do this? If you want to use AC under sail, you do need an inverter or a small generator.
If you are at the dock, it should work if you are plugged into the dockside power and the switches are on.
Make sense?
Are you at the dock when you do this? If you want to use AC under sail, you do need an inverter or a small generator.
If you are at the dock, it should work if you are plugged into the dockside power and the switches are on.
Make sense?
Phil W,
Your AC power goes into a battery charger likely inside your cockpit locker (that is where ours is). Take a peek in there to make sure you have power to your battery charger. We had to replace ours after about 7 years.
Do you have the "outlets" switch on on your electrical panel? If you have power coming in, you need to switch on the outlets at the breaker panel.
Make sure they power switch is on too at the dockside where you plug in your AC cords.
Let me know.
Your AC power goes into a battery charger likely inside your cockpit locker (that is where ours is). Take a peek in there to make sure you have power to your battery charger. We had to replace ours after about 7 years.
Do you have the "outlets" switch on on your electrical panel? If you have power coming in, you need to switch on the outlets at the breaker panel.
Make sure they power switch is on too at the dockside where you plug in your AC cords.
Let me know.
Ok sorry for this basic response - but I assume the shore power was connected and the 110 panel 'outlet' breaker was turned on? If both are on make sure you didn't trip a gfci breaker.
If you're not connected to shore power you can only use 110 if you have an inverter on board. Note 12v will not have a conventional 110v type plug. Generally on a boat 12v will use a 'cigarette lighter' type of plug much like your car.
One additional comment - if you have a 'conventional' Beneteau panel there should be lights adjacent to the 110 breaker, for things like water heater, charger, etc. if the light adjacent to the outlet breaker is on then it's got to be the gfci breaker at one of the outlets.
Thanks everyone! I haven't been back out yet, but I think I know the answer. I was in a real rush when I tried to do this and didn't realize I only looked at the dc panel. From looking at the manual I'm guessing I'll find it on the ac panel. 
GFCI - Check your outlets
You should probably check each outlet to see if the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) has been tripped. You probably have these types of outlets in your bathroom and kitchen at home. They are there to protect the circuit should it detect current flowing through a different path (water, people, etc.). At the same time, it would be a good idea to check each plug with a tester to see if it is grounded and wired properly.
You should probably check each outlet to see if the GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) has been tripped. You probably have these types of outlets in your bathroom and kitchen at home. They are there to protect the circuit should it detect current flowing through a different path (water, people, etc.). At the same time, it would be a good idea to check each plug with a tester to see if it is grounded and wired properly.
My B323 was wired with TWO cables that feed the whole boat (6 outlets), but were wired to only one breaker. This limited use to the 15 amps of the one breaker, even though shore power is 30 amps. I put in a second "outlet" breaker, moved one wire from the OEM breaker to the new breaker, and now can have the use of 30 amps AC in the cabin.
Finally had a chance to go out to the boat. Once I located the right panel I found the "outlet" breaker. Plugs are now working properly. Thanks for everyone's input.
Good deal, Phil. Glad you found it.
I have learned a lot from this forum, but the most important thing I have learned is there is still so much I don't know!!!
We had a sign at work, "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about".
Love it. That applies to sailboats too! Thanks, Ron.We had a sign at work, "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about".
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