When we ordered our new 380 we opted to have the dealer install the A/C which was an upgraded unit from the one the factory installs. The issue at hand here is that the dealer did not install a second shore power inlet for the A/C but rather "briged" the A and B sides of the power panel. In speaking with Hunter they advise this could reduce my 110V power usage (if several devices were on at once). They claim the 2nd inlet was engineered into all 380 and larger boats to accomodate the increased 110V usage by the larger boats. My dealer claims this is not a problem since my boat does not have a dual A/C system. Now I'm confused. I realize the inconvenience of using two power cords etc, however my main concern is that if the boat was engineered this way - why not comply. The dealer said he will install the second shore power inlet if I so choose. Any of you had any experience with this? Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. For the record, my tendancy is to have the dealer set it up to factory spec. I just get this uneasy feeling in my gut that the dealer was trying to save a few bucks. Fair Winds Howard Kornack
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Pardon ME!
Howard: I agree with you. It appears from your statement that you now can have 60amps comming into a single breaker (instead of 30). That is real good. Where are you going to find a 60 amp breaker for a boat. I think that the idea of this would be to have 2 service breakers and you could add Air and Heat on the second breaker if you needed it. I think you will have a problem if you run a couple of high amp appliances off a single breaker. Try a vacuum, coffee pot and an electric heater off a single breaker. I think you might find that there is a problem. Now with something like the Air/Heater unit I think that the start up surge is going to get you. This is just my opinion. You will need to try it to find out what is going to happen.
Howard: I agree with you. It appears from your statement that you now can have 60amps comming into a single breaker (instead of 30). That is real good. Where are you going to find a 60 amp breaker for a boat. I think that the idea of this would be to have 2 service breakers and you could add Air and Heat on the second breaker if you needed it. I think you will have a problem if you run a couple of high amp appliances off a single breaker. Try a vacuum, coffee pot and an electric heater off a single breaker. I think you might find that there is a problem. Now with something like the Air/Heater unit I think that the start up surge is going to get you. This is just my opinion. You will need to try it to find out what is going to happen.
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Howard Kornack
Calrification
Steve: Just to clarify - I won't have 60A coming into a 30A breaker. The problem now is that with only a single 30A service and breaker, I could be tripping the breaker more frequently. If I have the dealer add the 2nd 30A inlet and breaker then the A/C will run on its own dedicated circuit and leave the other 30A (A side) for all the other 110V appliances. Seems this is the only logical way to go - again back to the way the boat was engineered. Rgds Howard
Steve: Just to clarify - I won't have 60A coming into a 30A breaker. The problem now is that with only a single 30A service and breaker, I could be tripping the breaker more frequently. If I have the dealer add the 2nd 30A inlet and breaker then the A/C will run on its own dedicated circuit and leave the other 30A (A side) for all the other 110V appliances. Seems this is the only logical way to go - again back to the way the boat was engineered. Rgds Howard
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Howard Kornack
Clarification again.
Previous response should read "Clarification" - case of the hands working faster than the brain.
Previous response should read "Clarification" - case of the hands working faster than the brain.
OKAY
Howard: Okay, yes I see and yes I agree. I can tell you that we have problems with the exact thing that I mentioned though. Try the coffee pot and the vac. on a 30 amp breaker. Maybe this is a problem on our boat or the marina service? We have had it pop the service breaker and the boat breaker too. I am sure that you will get a lot more informed input to this thread than I can offer. Good Luck
Howard: Okay, yes I see and yes I agree. I can tell you that we have problems with the exact thing that I mentioned though. Try the coffee pot and the vac. on a 30 amp breaker. Maybe this is a problem on our boat or the marina service? We have had it pop the service breaker and the boat breaker too. I am sure that you will get a lot more informed input to this thread than I can offer. Good Luck
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Arthur Boas
Second inlet required
Basically, your dealer did not wish to run a second 30 amp line from the panel to a new inlet. This is plain wrong! Have them install it correctly. It's that simple.
Basically, your dealer did not wish to run a second 30 amp line from the panel to a new inlet. This is plain wrong! Have them install it correctly. It's that simple.
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Paul Bednarzyk
Amps
Howard, I would highly recommend having your yard install the second 30 amp plug and the wiring to go with. I can tell you first hand that you cannot run the A/C, battery charger, hot water heater, and microwave off of essentially one 30 amp circuit. The power draw on a 16000 BTU A/C unit as the compressor starts can be as much as 20 amps. On my 380, the "B" a.c. circuit is dedicated to the air conditioner and the "A" circuit runs everything else with a seperate 30 amp cord for each. I hope this helps and best wishes for Happy Holidays. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Howard, I would highly recommend having your yard install the second 30 amp plug and the wiring to go with. I can tell you first hand that you cannot run the A/C, battery charger, hot water heater, and microwave off of essentially one 30 amp circuit. The power draw on a 16000 BTU A/C unit as the compressor starts can be as much as 20 amps. On my 380, the "B" a.c. circuit is dedicated to the air conditioner and the "A" circuit runs everything else with a seperate 30 amp cord for each. I hope this helps and best wishes for Happy Holidays. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
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Howard Kornack
Thanks Guys!
The deal is done! Your input has convinced me that my "gut" was right. The dealer is correcting the situation immediately. Rgds Howard
The deal is done! Your input has convinced me that my "gut" was right. The dealer is correcting the situation immediately. Rgds Howard
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carol donovan
one more thing...
Howard: After you get the second 30Amp electrical line and connector put on your H380, make sure you get a second power connection put in at your slip, and make sure they don't take your existing 30Amp line and split it or you will continue to pop breakers all over the place. Marinas also often try to save a little money so it might be a good idea if you are there when they are adding your second connector. /c s/v Twilight
Howard: After you get the second 30Amp electrical line and connector put on your H380, make sure you get a second power connection put in at your slip, and make sure they don't take your existing 30Amp line and split it or you will continue to pop breakers all over the place. Marinas also often try to save a little money so it might be a good idea if you are there when they are adding your second connector. /c s/v Twilight
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George Kornreich
Marina power
Many marinas have 50 amps available at the power post. If you do not have a 50 amp outlet or 2 30amp outlets, ask if it is actually wired for that much amperage and often they can change the recepticle. We use a 50 amp source on the dock, and a Y-cord serving two 30 amp power cords and circuits. The total of 50 amps has always been enough to run 2 A/C's and all the other goodies. Rarely does the boat draw more than 25 amps total, but when compressors come on line, the starting amperage sends the needle to the peg for an instant, and if the water heater is drawing its 10 amps at that moment, with just one 30 amp breaker, bingo! Of course if you only have one A/C, you have more reserve power and could possible get away with less available current. You'll be glad you had the additional circuit added, though. Now you can make microwave popcorn while staying cool!
Many marinas have 50 amps available at the power post. If you do not have a 50 amp outlet or 2 30amp outlets, ask if it is actually wired for that much amperage and often they can change the recepticle. We use a 50 amp source on the dock, and a Y-cord serving two 30 amp power cords and circuits. The total of 50 amps has always been enough to run 2 A/C's and all the other goodies. Rarely does the boat draw more than 25 amps total, but when compressors come on line, the starting amperage sends the needle to the peg for an instant, and if the water heater is drawing its 10 amps at that moment, with just one 30 amp breaker, bingo! Of course if you only have one A/C, you have more reserve power and could possible get away with less available current. You'll be glad you had the additional circuit added, though. Now you can make microwave popcorn while staying cool!
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