What is this??

[Uno Mast]

What is this? There is power to it evaluate it lights up but I don't what it's for.

 

[kappykaplan]

Looks like an inverter.

 

[Uno Mast]

I hate to ask a stupid question but, what is an inverter and can I use it for anything?

 

[Tejas]

The simple answer, copied from wikipedia is that "A power inverter, or inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)."

Essentially an inverter on a sailboat converts 12V DC battery power to 120V AC power. There's a lot more to know before using an inverter for a particular application.

 

[kappykaplan]

It converts 12VDC to 120VAC. So, you can plug in your cell phone charger, etc.

 

[DougM]

Why would you do that with a cell phone charger? That's already a transformer that converts 120v to 12 volts.

 

[kappykaplan]

Why would you do that with a cell phone charger? That's already a transformer that converts 120v to 12 volts.

Doug, cell phone charger was the first thing that came to mind. I've also used my small inverter to charge the BFL (big frikkin' light).

 

[Merlin Clark]

What is this? There is power to it evaluate it lights up but I don't what it's for.

View attachment 70418

The thing on the left looks to be a 10a breaker and the right side is a universal plug (flat or round pin).
It might be to an inverter or it might just run off the ship's AC power bus.
If it's still lit when you unplug the shore power or trip that breaker then it does run off an inverter.

 

[rongroth]

Your boat was built in France it is a universal 110volt outlet that would take the round pin plugs they use in France.
The switch just turns the outlet on.
I replaced all my outlets last year on my Oceanis 390

 

[JohnShannon]

what rong said

 

[Jim21895]

When rong is right!

 

[kpgraci]

I would test the output with a voltmeter - set on A/C, just to be sure what you're dealing with.

 

[Uno Mast]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help!

 

[sinbad51]

What is this? There is power to it evaluate it lights up but I don't what it's for. <img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70418"/>

What that is is a European style AC plug . it is attached to your shore power. Any 2 prong AC appliance or light will plug into it. If you need to plug in a standard 3 prong plug you have to use a cheater that eliminates the ground. I have these same units on my French built Beneteau 375. If you turn of the switch/breaker it turns off the outlet

 

[Tom J]

Why would you do that with a cell phone charger? That's already a transformer that converts 120v to 12 volts.

Exactly. A very inefficient way to charge cell phones and laptops. You can buy an adapter at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart that plugs into the 12v receptacle and has two USB ports on the back. They run about $10.

 

[Grouperhound]

Many European countries require outlets to be controlled by a switch. Though I think this is just simplifying the circuit protection by combining breaker and outlet. It's enough juice to supply a blender, curling iron, or a Hitachi Magic Wand. ;-)

 

[Richard Vallee]

I changed mine out to GFI's. As per above, it is your 110V outlet from your AC panel. They have a built in 10amp breaker.

 

[NiceBeny]

I changed mine out to GFI's. As per above, it is your 110V outlet from your AC panel. They have a built in 10amp breaker.

Mine works when shore power is on