i currently have refrigeration and a battery charger on my hunter 34. i would like to add central air. is my service large enough? should i use 16k or 12k btu. thanks mike
can i add airconditioning with my 30 amp service??
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Yep..
you can run it on a single 30 amp, just have to be careful what you have running at once. Ex: water heater + ac + something might be too much. More so if you have reverse cycle and use the heat. It draws more, at least on my unit. Once you figure it out, it's ok. But.....having a dedicated 30 amp is sooo very nice, and in Chicago you're gonna want that heat. Do the separate 30 amp service, you won't regret it.
you can run it on a single 30 amp, just have to be careful what you have running at once. Ex: water heater + ac + something might be too much. More so if you have reverse cycle and use the heat. It draws more, at least on my unit. Once you figure it out, it's ok. But.....having a dedicated 30 amp is sooo very nice, and in Chicago you're gonna want that heat. Do the separate 30 amp service, you won't regret it.
30amp service
I recently faced the same issue as you, and after talking with the air conditioner manufacturer, I decided to install a 25amp breaker in a spare spot in the boat's AC service panel and run it from there. Haven't had any problems running a 16.5 btu system along with other AC powered options - water heater, microwave, and battery charger (which powers refridgeration). Yes, lots of newer boats will have a completely seperate 30amp AC service for the air conditioner. But there are also tons of boats set up with a single AC service running air conditioners without any problem. It depends on how many total amps you're going to draw, and your demands don't seem that high. If it were me, I'd go with the larger btu unit for your size boat.
I recently faced the same issue as you, and after talking with the air conditioner manufacturer, I decided to install a 25amp breaker in a spare spot in the boat's AC service panel and run it from there. Haven't had any problems running a 16.5 btu system along with other AC powered options - water heater, microwave, and battery charger (which powers refridgeration). Yes, lots of newer boats will have a completely seperate 30amp AC service for the air conditioner. But there are also tons of boats set up with a single AC service running air conditioners without any problem. It depends on how many total amps you're going to draw, and your demands don't seem that high. If it were me, I'd go with the larger btu unit for your size boat.
Opps
On my old boat, a Hunter 35.5, I had a 16K btu unit and used the existing 30 amp breaker. If the A/C was on along with the water heater and then I used the M/W, opps. After I turned one of them off, I would reset the breaker. Just had to remember that.
On my old boat, a Hunter 35.5, I had a 16K btu unit and used the existing 30 amp breaker. If the A/C was on along with the water heater and then I used the M/W, opps. After I turned one of them off, I would reset the breaker. Just had to remember that.
Hi Mike, our boat came equipped with dual ...
30 amp shore power services. We have yet to have them both connected. Usually the 30 amp service will handle the hot water heater (10 amps), the 16K BTU reverse cycle heat pump in the main cabin (12 amps) and other stuff. The only thing I have to be concerned about is when we come into a marina after being on the hook for a few days. I will wait for at least one hour before turning on both of the above units because the charger wants to take most of the 30 amps to bulk charge the house bank. If I try to use the single 30 amp service to run the hot water heater and both heat pumps (9K BTU in the aft cabin) at the same time the draw will trip the main breaker. So it just means that I need to know what I have available and manage the draw accordingly. Just make sure that each major appliance has its own breaker. Terry
30 amp shore power services. We have yet to have them both connected. Usually the 30 amp service will handle the hot water heater (10 amps), the 16K BTU reverse cycle heat pump in the main cabin (12 amps) and other stuff. The only thing I have to be concerned about is when we come into a marina after being on the hook for a few days. I will wait for at least one hour before turning on both of the above units because the charger wants to take most of the 30 amps to bulk charge the house bank. If I try to use the single 30 amp service to run the hot water heater and both heat pumps (9K BTU in the aft cabin) at the same time the draw will trip the main breaker. So it just means that I need to know what I have available and manage the draw accordingly. Just make sure that each major appliance has its own breaker. Terry
Thanks for the heads up, Ross
Haven't noticed any problems, nor have I tripped a breaker. I guess I really don't use that much AC power. My heating/cooling unit also is not a reverse cycle heat pump. It uses an electric heating element to provide heat, which means the compressor and water pump don't run when the heater's on. I have noticed a number of boats with dual 30amp inlets using a "Y" adapter to merge the two shore power cords into one, then plug that into a single 30amp power source. Seems like it defeats the whole purpose.
Haven't noticed any problems, nor have I tripped a breaker. I guess I really don't use that much AC power. My heating/cooling unit also is not a reverse cycle heat pump. It uses an electric heating element to provide heat, which means the compressor and water pump don't run when the heater's on. I have noticed a number of boats with dual 30amp inlets using a "Y" adapter to merge the two shore power cords into one, then plug that into a single 30amp power source. Seems like it defeats the whole purpose.
no problem
i would go with tbe 16k i have a 340 and have a 16k and actually added a 4k unit for the aft berth due to not enough air getting back threre both units are reverse cycle i dont have a problem with 30 amp in the summer with everything running but in the winter ive got to switch off the water heater or batt. charger or i with blow the breaker when both units turn the new units actually draw very few amps
i would go with tbe 16k i have a 340 and have a 16k and actually added a 4k unit for the aft berth due to not enough air getting back threre both units are reverse cycle i dont have a problem with 30 amp in the summer with everything running but in the winter ive got to switch off the water heater or batt. charger or i with blow the breaker when both units turn the new units actually draw very few amps
Yes and No
AC is a huge inductive load. It is MUCH better on its own 30 amp service for your other AC loads. Most people don't do it because it cost more. Most people don't do it because it cost more. They talk about using load management. You are overloading breaker and introducing a huge inductive load to house AC power. Frankly, if it is not safe to do in you home then it is not safe to do in your boat! I am just an electrical engineer. I am we have some real rocket scientist here that can give you better advice. That said you can do it and live with the risk to you equipment.
AC is a huge inductive load. It is MUCH better on its own 30 amp service for your other AC loads. Most people don't do it because it cost more. Most people don't do it because it cost more. They talk about using load management. You are overloading breaker and introducing a huge inductive load to house AC power. Frankly, if it is not safe to do in you home then it is not safe to do in your boat! I am just an electrical engineer. I am we have some real rocket scientist here that can give you better advice. That said you can do it and live with the risk to you equipment.
Something else to think about
I added a 16K to my 37 footer...Had I known later that the Honda 2000 portable generator wouldn't power it, I would have purchased the 12K....if your interested in connecting to a portable generator please consider the power load.... s/v CD EXPRESS
I added a 16K to my 37 footer...Had I known later that the Honda 2000 portable generator wouldn't power it, I would have purchased the 12K....if your interested in connecting to a portable generator please consider the power load.... s/v CD EXPRESS
How old is your boat?
One of the very interesting issues discussed here is the load draw and, therefore, the connections and wiring. If you're planning to play the balancing game, then I recommend that you very carefully check your AC wiring from the shorepower all the way to the electrical panel. Confirm that the wiring is large enough for the 30 A draw based on the distance it is run. Make sure that all connections are firm and tight. In addition, unless you use an awful lot of hot water, it really only needs to be on for 20 minutes or so to get the six gallons of hot water in the tank heated up (for your AC juggling act).
One of the very interesting issues discussed here is the load draw and, therefore, the connections and wiring. If you're planning to play the balancing game, then I recommend that you very carefully check your AC wiring from the shorepower all the way to the electrical panel. Confirm that the wiring is large enough for the 30 A draw based on the distance it is run. Make sure that all connections are firm and tight. In addition, unless you use an awful lot of hot water, it really only needs to be on for 20 minutes or so to get the six gallons of hot water in the tank heated up (for your AC juggling act).
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