Unreliable shore power

[walt]

I think you should do a little homework on the tripping as if its ELCI or GFCI, whole different issue.

First thing to find out is .. is it actually a GFCI or ELCI breaker that is tripping? Tripping from too many people using space heaters or some other heavy load is a different problem than a boat with a potentially dangerous ground fault.

If you have determined the breaker is GFCI or ELCI,, does the breaker that is tripping feed to more than one slip? Or is it just the breaker at your slip that is tripping? I think some marinas do put multiple slips on one ELCI which will protect but sure seems like a bad idea for debugging. If multiple slips are on the same ground fault circuit, you would first need to find out which boat is causing the trip which pretty much involves unplugging them all and then plugging one at a time to see which one is causing the tripping.

If its your boat causing the tripping or the breaker is at your sllip, then you need to debug your own boat.. Cant assume the breaker is false tripping because its possible that you do have a dangerous ground fault.

If you have isolated the ground fault problem to one boat (maybe yours), a link was posted a few back but I would just start with all breakers off which hopefully doesnt trip the ELCI. Then turn on one breaker at a time on your boat to isolate which circuit might have the ground fault.

 

[mermike]

The generator idea sounds good but I don't have the space.

Sorry, my suggestion was a little tongue in cheek. I don't have the space either and it would be an ungodly expensive solution to a relatively simple problem.

I put 200 watts of solar on a very rickety bimini frame and while it's not very seaworthy or pretty, and doesn't really keep up with demand while cruising, it does keep the batteries charged without shore power.

 

[JBP-PA]

I'm a power tech for a large communication company, but not an electrician. The generator idea sounds good but I don't have the space.

I've been interested in solar sense I saw my first solar cell as a child. I don't currently have any solar on the boat due to space limitations, I only day sail it and I find it unattractive. I'll get over all that if I ever get to take the boat cruising.

If you are a power tech, you could put solar on shore to backup the AC power. Maybe just run the panel cables to a controller on your boat?

 

[JoeWhite]

The only other reason a circuit breaker would trip is due to excessive current. This can happen if the line voltage drops. Have you measured the AC voltage when your compressor is running?
It could be caused by someone else using excessive power.
Walt has a good point.

 

[FastOlson]

Maybe not the case here, but when our YC marina upgraded all of our power posts to the new standard GFCI type, we found that 5 to 10 (out of 150) boats started having nuisance-tripping. One of our licensed electricians (volunteer for YC work) diagnosed the problem for over half of 'em as older AC water heater circuits. He pointed out that the "marine" hot water tanks almost always have low-spec household resistance heating coils inside, and they will leak minute amounts of current, and that is what the new sensitive breakers will see and then trip.

This begs the question as to who leaves their water heater circuit active, but that's another discussion. Anyhooooo, after the owners replaced the coil or the whole (ancient OEM) tank, their problem stopped. Maybe... they upgraded that part of their AC wiring at the same time, but that's an unknown.
Also, the very lowest sensitivity breakers are not required and a slightly less sensitive version fulfills the safety and the legal requirements.

Another Also-- given that the bulk of boats are from the 70's thru the early 90's, there are going to be some with marginal, corroded, or bastardized wiring (always blamed on a prior owner, of course...) on board. Given the fire risk, this might be a signal for owners to do some ABYC wiring upgrades to their vintage vessels.
Hope you find a solution! Having cold drinks waiting for us on board, on a hot afternoon, is a real treat!

 

[dlochner]

The only other reason a circuit breaker would trip is due to excessive current. This can happen if the line voltage drops. Have you measured the AC voltage when your compressor is running?
It could be caused by someone else using excessive power.
Walt has a good point.

A GFCI or ELCI breaker will trip if there is an imbalance of current between the hot and neutral lines at any amperage draw or an over amperage draw.

 

[Dave Satter]

Never, ever Never Ever! Go swimming in a marina. I listened to this guys talk at the worldwide classic boat show. WOW!
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