Battery switches on shore power

[Oregon Trail]

Here are some dumb questions I should know by now but have never been certain of:

RE: 2012 Cutwater 28 w/Volvo D4;

1. When leaving the boat connected to shore power, should any of the battery switches be left "ON"?

2. When disconnected from shore power and motoring, should any of the switches on the AC panel be "ON", specifically the battery charger switch?

3. Is there a switch somewhere for the refrigerator?


Thanks,
Mike

 

[baz]

The battery charger switch can be left ON all the time be shore power connected or while underway.

I'm sure there's a fuse for the Refer and not sure about a separate switch. However, if you want it OFF simply set its temp control knob to "O" (OFF).

 

[Osprey]

While underway there is normally no AC present so the battery charger is inactive, the switch could be on or off with no effect. However, if one switches on the inverter while underway, it is a serious error to have the charger switched on at the same time.
The power to the refrigerator is controlled by a circuit breaker on the DC circuits panel.

 

[knotflying]

Your battery switch should be on when you want any of your 12v items to work. If you are on the boat traveling I assume you want your refrigerator on etc. Hence leave your battery switch on. As a rule of thumb, I always turn off all AC breakers and the main. Two reasons, while under way or anchoring you may turn on your inverter and there will be a surge when activated. Same would hold true when hooking up to shore power. You really want to turn on each breaker separately so that you do not have a major draw of current. If I am leaving the boat for an extended period and there is nothing in the refrigerator or not on shore power I turn all battery switches off.

 

[oscar]

Yes, managing AC loads takes a little thinking. Turning all off, and then on as needed, keeping load in mind ie generator vs shore power, is a smart thing.

Not speaking from marine experience, but in the RV world it is (if factory wired) not possible to have the bat charger on when the only AC source is inverter. Breakers are wired separately, like the back up generator in a sticks and bricks..... If the only source of AC is the inverter and the charger is on it all goes into an infinite loop and all you do is create heat with zero benefit.

If the boats are wired to make that possible, one needs to really understand what the issue is and act accordingly. (ie bat charger OFF when inverter is the only source of AC)

 

[Oregon Trail]

Thank you for the replies. I'm still a bit unsure here.

If I am underway on engine power, the A/c panel and all of its breakers should be off, and the house battery switch should be on, correct?

If I am at the dock on shore power with all A/C switches and breakers on, the house battery switch still needs to be on if I need the fridge on or want to use the radio, tv, etc., correct?

Mike

 

[knotflying]

You are correct. However, if while cruising you want to use the microwave you would need to then turn on the inverter, the main AC breaker and then the microwave breaker. When finished shut them all off.

 

[oscar]

You are correct. However, if while cruising you want to use the microwave you would need to then turn on the inverter, the main AC breaker and then the microwave breaker. When finished shut them all off.

Have you checked the wattage of the Microwave vs that of the Inverter? Microwaves are power hogs, not sure if the Inverter will push it.

 

[knotflying]

Never had a problem. As an adjunct to that, I never use my inverter with high draw items unless the engine is running.

 

[oscar]

Never had a problem. As an adjunct to that, I never use my inverter with high draw items unless the engine is running.

That ensures that there is enough going in. Most of the inverters I see on these boats are 1500W, they look well made so maybe for once that's 1500 continuous. And the nukers are rather small, so apparently less than 1500W. Good to know.

 

[knotflying]

If I am not mistaken the microwave is about 900 or 1000 watts. I also use a percultor for coffee in the morning. Start up the engine, turn on the inverter and perk away. And after that I have hot water. A win/win.

 

[oscar]

If I am not mistaken the microwave is about 900 or 1000 watts. I also use a percultor for coffee in the morning. Start up the engine, turn on the inverter and perk away. And after that I have hot water. A win/win.

I plan on getting a boat with a genny, as Momma does NOT like to be hot or amongst bugs, so windows closed, AC running. The Chez gets sticky and buggy in the summer, so it's not an issue for me, but it's nice to know that it will do it on the engine/inverter combo.