Boat Electrical Outlets

[Terry Cox]

All our 120VAC outlets remain original and do come in handy when connected to shore power or when running the Genset. No plans here to change them. Since we spend most of our time while cruising away from shore power, I've installed a few 12VDC sockets that supplement our smaller appliance needs, such as electric tooth brushes, cell phones, laptop computers, etc. Here is what they look like: https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=100063&mn=42

Yes, I could operate the inverter for our assortment of low voltage appliances, but this seemed to be a more cost effective and energy efficient means of supplementing these new devices.

 

[Maine Sail]

Well, RC, that's something of an extreme response. I wasn't suggesting hacking and "Rube Goldberging" my boat, if I did anything, it would be reversible. But, I think you must admit that these days, there is more utility to USB power outlets than 120VAC outlets. You, yourself, have warned about excessive conversion. Why run a 1kW inverter to charge an Amazon Kindle, or keep it running, in the v-berth?

I think perhaps Scott misunderstood your original post and thought you wanted to convert the 120V circuits to DC , that is what I was commenting on. Perhaps I read both posts wrong? If so I apologize..

 

[LeslieTroyer]

I agree with jviss power outlets on both sides of vbirth, head, aft birth would be good + helm. I have several at nav station and cabin bulkhead

Les

 

[jviss]

I think perhaps Scott misunderstood your original post and thought you wanted to convert the 120V circuits to DC , that is what I was commenting on. Perhaps I read both posts wrong? If so I apologize..

No need to apologize! I was suggesting a conversion, not something I was going to do, but just speculating on the concept. Some day people might not care much for 120VAC all over the place, but would want USB power all over the place, and have some 120VAC outlets in a few places, like galley, head, etc. Like an inversion of what we have today. And, I wouldn't hack up the new boat. Heck, I don't even have it yet! I'm going to pick it up in Marion this morning and sail it home to Westport.

 

[JamesG161]

usb hair drier for the admiral

I bought one...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portable...-for-Baby-Stroller-Car-Camping-Desk/137393637
This uses the new standard size Lithium USB rechargeable battery.

I also use it to blow against my Freezer cold plate.
______
Plus 2 of these, in rotation, for the Admirals iPad and iPhone
https://www.walmart.com/ip/White-50...xternal-Battery-Protable-Power-Bank/712157522
That size runs a charged iPad for 12+ hours.
_____
Where are my USB battery rechargers? In the forward berth AC outlet, with Invert on. No big loss of House Batteries.

Jim...

 

[jamhass]

We use a couple of approaches for USB charging and other 12v stuff.
1. We have a good number of 12v cigar-type outlets at convenient places around the boat, and use adapters as suggested by Maine Sail. Works very well.
2. We also have a couple of dedicated USB power outlets using inexpensive 12v-5v power supplies, available at many places such as Amazon and E-bay. We find these usually more energy efficient than the adapters in 1 above.
3. In addition, we have a 12v-12v power supply that runs our "sensative" 12v electronics, such as the TV and Media center. This ensures that these electronics see a good quality 12v source independent of the charging voltage at the battery bank.

Note that our boat has only a small inverter, so we do not use 120v when away from the dock. Even at the dock most of our loads (including computers, etc) are 12v supplied via the 120v battery charger.

 

[MitchM]

jviss wrote: "I'd rather avoid the conversion losses of going from battery to inverter to USB." on our boat, as originally wired, we had the same OEM set up. the factory explained that it was done this way as cruisers rarely hooked to shore power preferred it. an ABYC electrician modified our inverter circuitry so that our inverter was out of the system unless we needed it. it was a simple modification that is easily reversible, and it allowed us to down size from 2 8D's in the house bank to 2 135 aH AGMs.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I think perhaps Scott misunderstood your original post and thought you wanted to convert the 120V circuits to DC , that is what I was commenting on. Perhaps I read both posts wrong? If so I apologize..

No, I figured he was talking about converting the AC outlets to DC ports for USB because there seems to be less desire to run AC appliances on his boat. I'm pretty much in agreement that fewer AC outlets are actually needed, except for specific purposes like the water heater. It seems way to complicated to run an inverter off a 12v battery system just so you can plug in an AC adapter for a USB port when they make those USB ports to work directly off the battery. I don't think I would make the conversion on a Tartan 3800 but I agree with the logic anyway. I also don't stress out if I don't have the latest USB technology. (I guess I'm a bit more laid back - I sail a boat to sloooow down, not speed up ) As long as my phone and Kindle charge up while I'm sleeping, I'm usually good to go. Besides they make those outlet ports with both the circular cigar lighter port and multiple USB ports. That's what I installed in my nav station and it works out fine. If I can use my phone while it's on the cord, what do I care if it's charging at a slower rate. The fixed mount USB port does have the advantage over the insert style in that the insert is just another part to get lost. I prefer to have just a few USB power cords on hand without the necessary conversion plugs that forever are being misplaced.

 

[Tally Ho]

My O'Day 322 has A/C outlets in the V and stern berths, 1 at the Nav station and 1 in the galley. There is also 1 in the lazzerette. I find them very convenient when I am on shore power. I can plug in a shop vac or a sander for some maintenance, the Keriug for a quick cup of coffee, my laptop if I need to get some office time in.

I also have 12-volt power outlets in the V, at the helm, and in the lazzerette. I carry my iPhone car charger when out overnight so I can charge my phone or iPad. My Serius satellite radio receiver is always plugged to one of the power outlets and my handheld VHF has a "car charger" that I use to keep it fully charged.

I can see having some dedicated USB outlets maybe, but as long as I can get a car-charger for whatever device I happen to have, the 12-volt power outlets work fine. I can always get a USB adaptor to the power outlet if necessary.

Works for me!

Greg