Electrical Panel Questions on a R29

[Johnnym]

Hi everyone,

I have just completed training and certification to charter a 2010 Ranger Tugs 29 at a local charter club but the instructor was not familiar with the specifics of the Ranger Tugs electrical panel. He said he thought that you had to run the generator even while under way to operate the refrigerator, A/C, etc. And even when connected to shore power he thought you had to run the generator for the A/C. That sounded odd to me. During the training we never used the systems such as oven, stove, A/C, etc. I am scheduled to charter the boat for four days, weekend after next and I want to better understand the electrical capabilities. I am new to boats with AC/DC circuits. Is there a place I can get general operator manual type information that would cover these kinds of questions? The boat did not come to the charter company with manuals.

Thanks for any help!

Johnny

 

[knotflying]

Well first I would contact the charter company and insist on them giving you information regarding how the systems work. When on shore power you do not need the generator to run the air-conditioner. I own an R-27 so I am not intimately familiar with the R-29 systems, although they are very similar to the R-27. Your charter company should've explained what switches need to be turned on with various power configurations.

 

[Johnnym]

Thank you. And I will follow up with the charter company. What about A/C while underway, do you need to run the generator?

 

[walldog]

Thank you. And I will follow up with the charter company. What about A/C while underway, do you need to run the generator?

Yes, you will need to run the generator while under way to run the AC, but on shore power you will not need to run the generator for AC as it runs off 120 VAC either genset or shore.

The inverter will not run the AC.

Good Luck with your charter, that is a great boat.

 

[Johnnym]

Thanks. I figured that but not absolutely sure. Is that true for the fridge and most importantly, the wine cooler? 🙂 Also, is the electrical panel basically idiot proof? If I know enough to be dangerous is there a combination of switch positions that can cause damage? Or will things just not work?

 

[Wolf Pack]

The R29 is equipped with a ProMariner 2500 watt inverter/charger combo unit.

Save for the AC unit, it will handle anything on the boat without use of the generator. We typically run Wolf Pack with the inverter ON while underway. Breakers typically ON while we are underway include the following: refrigerator (which also controls the wine chiller), forward and salon outlet breakers, trim tab breaker, water pressure breaker. All other breakers (except the main breaker) are usually off. The Yanmar engine running on the R29 automatically heats up the water in the water heater. Other systems that draw off the house battery bank which are ON underway are the Garmin/autopilot/VHF and windlass. Sometimes if the first mate is napping in the vberth while underway, we will also have the v-berth TV on.

Between the shore power/inverter switch, engine on/off, etc, we have run with just about every conceivable combination with zero ill effects. Our factory service rep told me the electrical systems are wired with some basic safeguards that essentially prioritize which sources (ie, engine, shore power or solar panel) will be providing charge to the battery banks, depending on which sources are active at the time.

Wolf Pack does not have AC or generator (we have the solar panel instead), and I also agree with Herb, that the inverter should not be able to handle the AC. Despite the ProMariner owner manual info to the contrary, you will most likely need the generator to run the AC unless you want warm wine from the wine cellar and warm beer from the refer and no music to cook your salmon dinner by.

Hope this helps.

Gene R
Wolf Pack

 

[Todd]

My R29 has 2 shore power inputs. Line 1 is for everything except the AC, line 2 is for the AC units. The generator powers both.

Therefore if both shore power in feeds are connected to shore power the generator will not be needed when plugged in. I might also add that running a generator while at the dock will not make you popular with your neighbors.

I am not near my boat right now but I believe that the refrigerator and whine cooler are 12 volt or dual voltage and will run off the 12 volt system when not on shore power. I only run my inverter when I need 120 volt, (microwave, coffee pot, etc.) Fridge and wine cooler are always on. I use the generator for AC underway or on the hook to power water heater AC and other 120 volt stuff.

 

[jroyle]

Thanks. I figured that but not absolutely sure. Is that true for the fridge and most importantly, the wine cooler? 🙂 Also, is the electrical panel basically idiot proof? If I know enough to be dangerous is there a combination of switch positions that can cause damage? Or will things just not work?

A common mistake is that the DC manual bilge pump switches are turned on and left on. Don't do that 😉 . You will burn up the bilge pumps in due time. These switches are for emegency situations where the automatic bilge operation needs to be overridden

 

[Johnnym]

Thanks everyone. And I think this one has two shore power connections but only one cord. This R29 is all electric including an electric BBQ grill. So does that mean if I want AC at the slip and not be a generator a-hole connect the shore power to the AC connection and use the inverter for everything else? I guess all else except for the electric cooktop and oven? I think fist mate will insist we go eat at the marina restaurant anyway...

 

[captain's cat]

"I have just completed training and certification to charter a 2010 Ranger Tugs 29 at a local charter club but the instructor was not familiar with the specifics of the Ranger Tugs electrical panel. "

I don't understand a charter company that "trains and certifies" someone to operate a boat like that that doesn't understand how things work on the boat :?: You'd better read your contract closely in case he missed something else. Have fun, it's a great boat!

 

[hlgearheart]

Johnny, You can call me at the R29 factory tomorrow if you want. 360-794-7430. I have a R31 to test tomorrow around noon so I won't be by the phone. Leave a message with a phone number and I'll call you back. The electric boats are simple to use once you understand what's what. You can train the charter company when you get back!

Howard

 

[Johnnym]

Thanks Howard and I will take you up on your offer. I am in meetings until early afternoon and I will try to contact you after. If not I will give you a call next week.

Thanks,

Johnny