Newbie Needs Some Help

[Steven]

I'm a new, first time Ranger owner. We've had our R-23 for 2 months and are loving it! Ive been around boats my entire life but they were small and uncomplicated. My question(s) relate to use of DC/AC power and it's pretty basic stuff, I'm sure. But I don't want to inadverdently screw something up. Here are a few questions:
1) What configuration should breakers be when running boat
2) What configuration should breakers be when connected to shore power(should battery charger be left on? Can I leave some accessories running e.g.the refrigerator)
3) I have an inverter so what configuration should breakers be when using it

There are more questions but this would be very useful. Any place where I can find this stuff online or in print?

Thanks for the help?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Steven:

Welcome to the Ranger Tug Community. I'll take a stab at your questions but my knowledge comes from an R27, yours may be slightly different.

1. With the boat running I would turn my AC panel off and leave my DC on to power refrigerator and anything else on the boat DC

2. When connected to shore power I would leave both AC and DC and turn on everything on both panels, including the charger. The charger, if configured correctly, will stop charging the batteries once they have been topped off.

3. I've attached a copy of the inverter manual we had on our R27 for your reference /Users/Jim-New/Documents/ALL JIMS FILES/MANUALS/ProMariner Inverter 1500-3000-Manual.pdf

I'm sure others will have more boat specific instructions but this should get you started. If the manual does not come thru PM me your email address and I'll send it to you directly.

Jim F

 

[Red Raven]

Steven,

When running on the inverter all your D.C. Panel items can be left on as usual. On inverter we turn on only the AC panel items one at a time as needed. If it is a high current item then only when the engine is running and only if the item's power draw is within the rating of the inverter.

Curt

 

[oneeyedjackass]

Here's how we do it on our R23
When connected to shore power I always leave the battery charger breaker on and turn others on as needed, no biggie if they're all on. The 12V house switch is always on. Refrigerator always cold, lights avail. and batteries charging.
When we disconnect from shore power to take off a basically leave it the same. I don't think there is any reason to turn off 120V main breaker, nothing is going thru it.
If we need 120V on the water all breakers on 120V panel are switched off. Sliding switch on 120V panel is move into the inverter position and inverter can be turned on. Turn on whatever 120V breaker we need. We try not to leave inverter running if we're not using it for something.
mark

 

[Champ]

Here's how we do it on our R23
When connected to shore power I always leave the battery charger breaker on and turn others on as needed, no biggie if they're all on. The 12V house switch is always on. Refrigerator always cold, lights avail. and batteries charging.
When we disconnect from shore power to take off a basically leave it the same. I don't think there is any reason to turn off 120V main breaker, nothing is going thru it.
If we need 120V on the water all breakers on 120V panel are switched off. Sliding switch on 120V panel is move into the inverter position and inverter can be turned on. Turn on whatever 120V breaker we need. We try not to leave inverter running if we're not using it for something.
mark

We do it same as you.

 

[Steven]

Just noticed that I forgot to thank you for your replies....they were very helpful. Belated thanks.