Hunter Legend 40.5 Question

[Dick Dixon]

Regarding to a 1994 Hunter Legend 40.5, will someone please help me understand the purpose of the electrical panel located in the aft starboard locker. Please see photo below.

Because the two original air conditioners were stolen while the boat sat in a boatyard (the previous owner died and the boat was tied up in the estate for a while), we installed two new units last week. Unfortunately, only one unit can be run at a time even though there are two separate power cords plugged into the boat. (We've checked the shore power amps and they are fine). When both units are turned on, the reset button on the aft panel trips and one unit shuts down. The master breakers (one for each unit) on the inside panel at the navigator's station remain on.

What is the purpose of this aft panel?
What is the purpose of the additional shore power plug?
What are we missing?

Dick

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

wiring has been changed

Dick
We have the same model/year and have only one 30 amp line which makes me think someone added a second 30 amp circuit - this should be apparent if you looked at the nav stn panel. At some point, Hunter changed the wiring to accommodate a secons 30 amp circuit but not in 94 (as far as I know).

It may be the new shore power plug , if mounted in the bow, is simply the same circuit but in a different location to facilitate connection when bow in to the dock????

The aft panel in your picture is the original wiring and serves only one 30 amp branch. What it sounds like from your description is that both A/C units are fed from this 30 amp line therefore tripping the breaker.

 

[Dick Dixon]

Thanks Don....

You're correct about someone adding something to the electrical system. A large "generator" (we were told it was a generator) was installed on the engine for the purposes of providing AC power away from the dock. Because the mount is tricky at best, the drive belt has been removed until the mounting bracket can be strengthened. That unit may also be a very large alternator driving an inverter, which the boat has.....we're trying to unravel the setup.

For clarity, the boat has two shorepower connections in the stern and another inside the aft locker (in the previous photo). The master electrical panel indicates the boat actually came with the two stern plugs indicative of the professional labeling.

Dick

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Dick

There are a bunch of 40.5 owners around and one of them may intercede here and be better informed than me but I was unaware H converted to the upgraded elec system until after 94. If you call Hunter, have them send you a copy of their wiring diagram for your hull number if you don't already have that part of the manual. I'd FAX you my copy but it won't help sort out your configuration.

It may be easier to simply shut off/disconnect power and start poking around to trace the existing wiring - never know what you'll find from an inventive prior owner...

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have a 1997 with two shore power connections

and my boat was equipped at the factory with two A/Cs. The two A/Cs use one of the 30A connections and everything else uses the other connection. It could be that in 1994 the factory wired with the two 30A connectors if the A/C option was ordered.

Now with your added complication of the engine-driven generator, all bets are off as to how the PO wired everything together.

Regarding the tripping of the breaker in the stbd aft compartment- I would check the actual draw with a clip-on ammeter to be sure that the breaker is tripping properly and not at a lower-than-rated current. It sound like it is defective to me.