If the dock is 30 amps, my ac on/off wall switch is 15 amps then what is a good ac to dc converter that don't cost more than like 5 bucks? Well maybe a little more. You do know they have them for 5 bucks in the local convenience store, I want a bit more safety, and some numbers from you tech's would help. Very small 76 O'day 25, just lights and a pump or 2, nothing heavy. This is making me a bit nervous so I'm am asking for some ideas here. Thank you forever.
30 amp dock, 15 amp ac switch then dc
- Thread starter Oliver
- Start date
no, have ac stuff and dc stuff
No, electrical goes from the dock at 30 amps, then my ac on/ off switch with receptacle plug, I plug in a ac to dc converter and attach the wires directly to the dc power bus, I then don't use my battery unroll out to sea.
a battery charger IS an ac to dc converter, with the difference being, a charger is better controlled, and a power supply/converter delivers a constant uncontrolled output...
you have 30amp shore power available. thats good... bring it into your boat.
no matter if the AC switch or receptical in the boat is only 15amp, you wont burn up your 15amp switch just because you connected to 30amp service.
and you wont be running anything in your small boat that will pull more than 15amps thru the switch anyway.... except maybe an extra large heater...
so why dont you want to hook a "charger" up to your battery?.... it will allow you to keep the battery fully charged, AND at the same time, run any DC loads you have without depleteing the battery level... any converter/charger that is big enough to power a dc applience without a battery in line, is by default, plenty big enough to power the appliance AND charge the battery at the same time.... as it takes a more powerful "12v power supply" to power something stand alone, than it would take if you have a battery in the system....
a charger is the way to go.... you dont need an inverter, as you have ac available when at the dock, so you only need to convert the ac to dc....
you can use a small inverter when away from the dock, so you can invert the dc battery power to ac power to run a laptop, or other ac demand, but its an inefficient and short lived way to go with a small battery bank... other better options are available for this.
you have 30amp shore power available. thats good... bring it into your boat.
no matter if the AC switch or receptical in the boat is only 15amp, you wont burn up your 15amp switch just because you connected to 30amp service.
and you wont be running anything in your small boat that will pull more than 15amps thru the switch anyway.... except maybe an extra large heater...
so why dont you want to hook a "charger" up to your battery?.... it will allow you to keep the battery fully charged, AND at the same time, run any DC loads you have without depleteing the battery level... any converter/charger that is big enough to power a dc applience without a battery in line, is by default, plenty big enough to power the appliance AND charge the battery at the same time.... as it takes a more powerful "12v power supply" to power something stand alone, than it would take if you have a battery in the system....
a charger is the way to go.... you dont need an inverter, as you have ac available when at the dock, so you only need to convert the ac to dc....
you can use a small inverter when away from the dock, so you can invert the dc battery power to ac power to run a laptop, or other ac demand, but its an inefficient and short lived way to go with a small battery bank... other better options are available for this.
Nice, so one can do this long term, live aboard and not blow up the batteries. Controlled ac to dc charger charging, ion's don't start melting the battery at this low continuous rate, Ok I get it. But if I'm paying for power why use my battery at all except to keep the ions moving once in a while. Does this not still take away from the life of the battery ? I like this charger thing... I hope others bring more to the table, I'm learning.
I believe what you are looking for is a constant-output (12.6) power supply- like from Radio Shack- so you don't use your battery at the dock? Some people use these to run their fridge at the docks and not have to worry about the battery draining. Some marine chargers have a switch to change from a charging mode to a constant (13.2?) power source.
Your batteries have a finite life, whether used or not. But they will last the longest if kept fully charged.
How are you charging your batteries now?
The least expensive good solution I can think of is an Iota charger with IQ4 built in. They are good chargers and not very expensive. The 15 amp one would do the job. The IQ4 module makes it a multi stage charger.
http://www.iotaengineering.com/12vdc.htm
Just under $100 here and $15 for the IQ4 module http://www.solar-electric.com/ioen12vo15am.html
How are you charging your batteries now?
The least expensive good solution I can think of is an Iota charger with IQ4 built in. They are good chargers and not very expensive. The 15 amp one would do the job. The IQ4 module makes it a multi stage charger.
http://www.iotaengineering.com/12vdc.htm
Just under $100 here and $15 for the IQ4 module http://www.solar-electric.com/ioen12vo15am.html
if you are already paying for ac power, and you have to get another piece of equipment for the boat so it can convert that power into a usable source, then why not buy something that is dual purpose and can give you the best of both for the longest period of time???
a power supply/converter is not it... for a cheaper cost and more versatility, a charger can do the same exact thing... and more.
an automatic three stage charger on a battery that is being used regularly can allow your battery to last a few years longer than a battery that is left dormant...
a battery charger is a controlled output and the battery itself acts as a surge buffer for incoming and outgoing power... when you shut off all the equipment that is draining the battery, it will take all that the charger can give it, and bring it up to a full charge, and then the charger shuts itself down to monitor the level, and keep it topped up...
when you have a higher demand than your power source can supply, the battery draws out of its depths and delivers to you its stored energy.... many more amps and quicker than a power converter.
when the demand no longer exists, the charger refills the battery and waits for the next demand....
if you know your amp usage per day (which is easy to figure out), you can then know about how much power you have left in your battery by looking at the clock... but with a charger working, this is of very little concern.
The Iota I linked to is both a charger and a power supply. For example it allows you to take the batteries home for the winter and still have power on board, assuming shore power is present.
Yes, I'm going to put a new little frig in..... and before I forget thanks centerline, yes i was worried about the 15 amp switch melting. Ever felt the sides of a battery and noticed they are bowing out, fat like, not strait up and down square like, that battery has been abused and if it were more intense it would of spilt or even exploded. Ron, seen the radio shack ones, maybe I'll use it, the 80 dollar one looks good, it's at the top of my list.
eventually, as a liveaboard on a budget, once you get settled in, you can eventually think about solar...
you can install 12-15 amps of solar power for about 500, if you shop hard and install it yourself...
depending on your needs and style of living aboard, this may allow you to save moorage fees by mooring out away from the dock and still have all the power you need... depending on the cost of moorage, you could easily be ahead of budget in 3 months...
you can install 12-15 amps of solar power for about 500, if you shop hard and install it yourself...
depending on your needs and style of living aboard, this may allow you to save moorage fees by mooring out away from the dock and still have all the power you need... depending on the cost of moorage, you could easily be ahead of budget in 3 months...
Ok, stop reading my mind. 439.00 plus tax. I pretty much rebuilding my boat, cost is heavy. But loving it broke like. I have coast guard inspection on my boat in 3 weeks, tell me all you know.......
A VSC inspection.... get your safety gear in order... thats all they really care about.... they dont care if its powered by sail, motor or oars.... they dont care if it runs or is sailable.... or how ragged your rigging may be. all they want to make sure is that whoever is on the boat, or could come within contact of the boat when its underway, is reasonably protected by at least the minimum requirements of the law, and that you and your vessel can provide that....
No problem with a 30A supply channeled to a 15A circuit. All you need to assure is that you do not exceed a 15A load. Unless all you want to do is charge a phone I think you may have to pay more than $5 for a useful converter. For refrigeration go ahead and consider a 1.7 cf dorm refrigerator. They sell brand new for about $70 and operate on 120V current with no need for a converter. For when away from shore power the best unit is a cooler filled with ice. The dorm unit will retain a cool temperature for a day as long as the door is not opened frequently but for anything longer than a day sail and ice cooler is the best bet. There are ways to run refrigeration when underway but all will require an ample supply of power. When you start thinking about refrigeration under way you start talking about generators, inverters, solar panels and large battery banks ($$$). We have used Peltier effect coolers but find that they don't keep low enough temperatures and are power hugs. 12V compressor driven refrigerators are more efficient but cost around $600. Converters are mostly used by those that have 12V installed refrigerators in their boats and want to operate them with shore power and by-pass the batteries. Hope this helps.
So you have 30 amp service to your boats ac panel and a 15 amp circuit breaker to an outlet for a battery charger..........so whats the problem? Am I missing something? What's the difference from your home that has 100 amp service and you plug a battery charger in the wall outlet on a 15 amp breaker? Again, maybe I'm confused on your question.
I think there's a misconception about electricity, which I used to suffer from. They think of it like a water faucet - pressure being "pushed."
Misconception: if the supply is 30 amps, it will push 30 amps and blow out anything in line less than 30 amps
Truth: the 30 amp supply doesn't "push" 30 amps. It will let you draw 30 amps. A 5 amp device will "pull" 5 amps no matter what the supply (greater than or equal to 5amps)
Misconception: if the supply is 30 amps, it will push 30 amps and blow out anything in line less than 30 amps
Truth: the 30 amp supply doesn't "push" 30 amps. It will let you draw 30 amps. A 5 amp device will "pull" 5 amps no matter what the supply (greater than or equal to 5amps)
Well said. The circuit breakers on the panel are there mostly to protect the wiring to the outlet so not to exceed the wire gauge amp rating. If the outlet is wired with 14/3 and you plug in an appliance that draws 25 amps, the 15 amp breaker will trip before the wire get warm. A breaker is not a filter but a disconnect if amp draw exeeds it's rating.
Ice chest, link here ... maybe....I'll use it as just a box when out.. it will fit nice and won't burn my switch up. A lot of salty dogs here, good. I will have my batterys completely off line when docked. And still have dc power and ac power... why this is so hard for them. Batterys are dangerous and ac dc dc ac switches can be trouble some fire like too.
Link...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/IGLOO-3-...with_promotion&ci_src=17588969#specifications
Link...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/IGLOO-3-...with_promotion&ci_src=17588969#specifications
Thank you... I'm pass that part but because I'm new and this is a boat not a home built on ground I added it to my questions.
Yep, nervous it made me because it's a boat not a home build on a grounded foundation. If i attack something new, I check the basics, the rules may be different for unknown reasons. I just bought this own owner beauty last month and I've never sailed a day in my life. That would make anyone a bit nervous and then there's the huge sharks... now that's some thing to see... and I can cook, love fresh fish and more.