oh ok so we need to disconnect the input and output of the inverter and connect the output to the A side main breaker?
shore power won’t reset on boat
- Thread starter BugOutBoat
- Start date
We may need to try this and if this doesn't isolate the problem we'll need to stop there and get back to it tomorrow.
#1 It sounds like your marina has been updated it electrical delivery system and is now in compliance with the NEC/NFPA codes which requires an ground fault breaker. An GFI or ELCI is similar to a GFCI except that it is set to trip at 30mA (current code) or 100mA depending upon which version of the code your state is currently using, as opposed to 5mA like the 120V GFCI receptacle in your bathroom.. We need to know if you are tripping a standard shore breaker or a shore ground fault breaker?
#2 You will need to confirm that your Y adapter is not the issue. A GFI trips on a current imbalance between hot and neutral. In other words what is on HOT must be the same as what's on NEUTRAL not to exceed a 5mA, 30mA etc. imbalance. Using the wrong type of Y adapter on a boat, such as feeding a 50A 250V service vessel with a 30A 125V splitter will result in GFI trips. Just because this was done for years under the old code does not mean it will work under the new code where GFI is required on shore.
#3 One of the most common causes of GFI trips is grounded neutrals on-board the boat. A grounded neutral just means your AC Neutral/White wires are connected to AC Grounding/Green somewhere on-board. Even though they may appear not to be bonded you need to physically test for this. Improper inverter and generator wiring are perhaps the number one cause of bonded neutrals as well as DIY or even Fly by Night "Pro's" not knowing what they are doing behind the AC panel.
#4 With two 30A services the other very common mistake is that the neutrals for both services are bonded together. They need to be separate services other than for the AC Green wire.
Beyond these simple confirmations please bring in a professional who knows marine wiring, preferably a certified ABYC electrician.....
#2 You will need to confirm that your Y adapter is not the issue. A GFI trips on a current imbalance between hot and neutral. In other words what is on HOT must be the same as what's on NEUTRAL not to exceed a 5mA, 30mA etc. imbalance. Using the wrong type of Y adapter on a boat, such as feeding a 50A 250V service vessel with a 30A 125V splitter will result in GFI trips. Just because this was done for years under the old code does not mean it will work under the new code where GFI is required on shore.
#3 One of the most common causes of GFI trips is grounded neutrals on-board the boat. A grounded neutral just means your AC Neutral/White wires are connected to AC Grounding/Green somewhere on-board. Even though they may appear not to be bonded you need to physically test for this. Improper inverter and generator wiring are perhaps the number one cause of bonded neutrals as well as DIY or even Fly by Night "Pro's" not knowing what they are doing behind the AC panel.
#4 With two 30A services the other very common mistake is that the neutrals for both services are bonded together. They need to be separate services other than for the AC Green wire.
Beyond these simple confirmations please bring in a professional who knows marine wiring, preferably a certified ABYC electrician.....
We isolated the short to the input of the magnisine inverter. Now I need to see if magnisine sells replacement input boards. It was a direct short between the input black wire and the white wire. Pulled it off the panel Shore power breaker and the breaker and power no longer tripped.
Still no heat, other than on the generator, but I believe the failure is associated with the AC transfer relay on the
MAGNUM INVERTER TESTED AC BOARD TACB-ME/MS board. It appears to be a Grandmaster Cecilware Part L539AL relay 30 Amps 120V - LTB/TB (L539AL) that online costs about 65 dollars, if it's not that particular relay its definitely a Grandmaster Cecilware relay and hopefully its the issue and I can order one. I'm going to pull the inverter apart tomorrow and verify it's the right relay replacement part. I'll then pull it off the board, test it and if its the culprit order one and replace it and hopefully be up and running after I get a replacement. Then I shall have heat. Actually after I pull the Inverter I'm going to jumper my shore power to the A bus and have heat. More than likely there is thermal breakdown in the relay or the terminal board leading to the relay that is the culprit. Both should be repairable.
MAGNUM INVERTER TESTED AC BOARD TACB-ME/MS board. It appears to be a Grandmaster Cecilware Part L539AL relay 30 Amps 120V - LTB/TB (L539AL) that online costs about 65 dollars, if it's not that particular relay its definitely a Grandmaster Cecilware relay and hopefully its the issue and I can order one. I'm going to pull the inverter apart tomorrow and verify it's the right relay replacement part. I'll then pull it off the board, test it and if its the culprit order one and replace it and hopefully be up and running after I get a replacement. Then I shall have heat. Actually after I pull the Inverter I'm going to jumper my shore power to the A bus and have heat. More than likely there is thermal breakdown in the relay or the terminal board leading to the relay that is the culprit. Both should be repairable.
Have you had experience with these folks? I really like the guys at Shiverme Tenders. They have always done great work for me and are very responsive. The times I've tried the electrical contractors they are usually booked and can't get to the boat for a week or two, so I have to pretty much do everything myself out of necessity. I just can't seem to find electrical contractors that can make quick calls. Have you found them responsive?
I'll check the wiring as well and make sure I don't have issues there. Visually the wiring I've been able to inspect looks and feels fine, and the connectors look good with no signs of heat breakdown. Once I wrap up my inspection in the outboard wiring, I'll proceed to the inverter removal, internal visual inspect then check the AC transfer relay.
Yes, MTS has done a lot of work for me. ABYC electricians. As you might expect they are very responsive to their long term customers. Total pros. Haven’t used Shiver Me Timbers since Butch sold the company but I heard that the new guy has expanded beyond working HVAC gear.