Dual Shore Power - What will run on single shore power?

[BOSCBIJI]

Howdy folks!

After scrubbing through the forum on this figured I'd tee up an opportunity of the power experts to provide some universal wisdom to us newbies. New R29 with dual shore power inputs:

If I plug in both shore power outlets, the entire panel is good to go. I know there's a limit on draw if I run a bunch of stuff and overwhelm the circuits, but the entire panel will be 'available' with shore power.

If I plug in just ONE of the shore power outlets, does only the side of the panel with the power chord plugged in work? In other words, the other side of the panel...its not powered?

Or if I plug in just ONE of the shore power outlets, would one side work with shore power and the other run off the inverter? Say plug in Shore Power 1...panel 1 works but then would panel 2 also be active just using the converter?

Essentially, if I don't care about AC/Heat and just want everything else to run on the boat (including the 120 outlets)...can that be done with one shore power connection or do both need to be plugged in?

I feel like the answer is: You're either funny inverter (no shore power plugged in) or you're all shore power (and if you only use one power cable you'll only get power to that side of the panel).

I know this is probably a 'no duh' question, but welcome any insights on this!

 

[S. Todd]

The second shore power input is only needed for the AC / Heat Pump units. I never plug that second one in if I don't need air conditioning or heat. If I am not using any other power hogging items (think water heater or microwave) it is possible to just use a splitter and then only run one power cord to the 30 amp outlet on the dock pedestal. Just using one of the AC units rather than both of them and I can still use the microwave.

 

[cominonslow]

We have a new R31 with dual shore power. For ours, when only one 30 amp dockside outlet is available, we leave shore power 1 plugged in (as those outlets can only be powered by shore power on the 31), and then we utilize the inverter to power the shore 2 side outlets. The other option is to utilize a splitter - just need to keep you load under 30amps total.

 

[S. Todd]

Based on the response from comimomslow it sounds like the newer Ranger Tugs actually do use the second power input for other than just the AC/ Heat Pump units. If that is the case with the R29 too, I recommend use of a splitter. It is the easiest way to get shore power to both inputs. We have never found it didn't work for us on our 2021 R29. Only one power cord needs to go to the pedestal which frequently only gives you one outlet and requires only one power cord to deal with when you are hooking up and unhooking to cruise.

 

[cominonslow]

Based on the response from comimomslow it sounds like the newer Ranger Tugs actually do use the second power input for other than just the AC/ Heat Pump units. If that is the case with the R29 too, I recommend use of a splitter. It is the easiest way to get shore power to both inputs. We have never found it didn't work for us on our 2021 R29. Only one power cord needs to go to the pedestal which frequently only gives you one outlet and requires only one power cord to deal with when you are hooking up and unhooking to cruise.

Correct. Shore power 2 powers all AC outlets on the new 31 in addition to powering the FWD heat pump. Shore power 1 powers main heat pump, water heater, and battery charger.

 

[DC3]

The Cutwaters have a slightly different configuration. Shore power 2 only powers the 2 AC units but has parallel switch to let you power both shore power 1 and 2 off a single shower power cable. You have to manage your power usage and only run 1 AC unit and probably not much else. But it removed the need for a splitter if only one outlet is available.

 

[DC3]