Trying to learn all about the electrical systems on my 2013

M

msu1966

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
Messages
109
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2714J213
Vessel Name
MAROONED
I have been Boaterhoming for 5 days straight without any Shore Power and relying only on the 150 watt solar panel to charge my 2 Bank/ 4 battery system.
1. Which setting should the 3 position switch next to the DC & AC panel be in when Boaterhoming and when at Shore Power?
2. It seems that my 150 watt solar panel cannot keep the batteries charged enough to run refrigerator, lights, etc. when without any Shore Power. What is the recommended cost effective. additional charging source to keep the batteries charged, a. portable generator b. additional solar panels c. any other suggestions???
Thanks,
Ken
 
I ran out of space. I have a 2013 Ranger 27

Ken
 
Ken,

1) The three position switch selects the source for AC Power. Shore, Generator, or Inverter. Since you are Boaterhoming without Shore Power and don’t have a generator the switch position would only come into play in order to use the inverter. However, since you are already have inadequate charging of your batteries running the inverter is not advisable.

2) An additional solar panel would help but could still be in insufficient unless you have full sun every day. The boat is not designed from the factory to run continuously on solar alone. It is expected you would be on the water and run the engine (and thus fully charge the batteries) every few days. I do recommend additional solar for anchoring out or at “no shore power” docks when boating. For boaterhoming you need another charging source. A portable generator is a good option or even easier using overnight sites with shore power.

Curt
 
What are the proper settings for all the switches and Breakers when using the inverter?
 
Assuming your boat is the same mine. First, when using the inverter make sure you have a fully charged healthy battery or are running the engine. Start with all AC breakers off including the main. Turn on the inverter at switch behind and below your right knee and check for green status LEDs. If all good, rotate selector knob to the right of the panel to Inverter. Check for power (may be only 85volts or so) on the meter at the top of the AC breaker panel. If good, turn on the main breaker and only the items you want to use (microwave or outlets). Do not under any circumstance turn on the battery charger while running the inverter. It will create a loop and drain your batteries very quickly. Don’t turn on the hot water heater without the engine running as it also has huge draw. When finished, reverse the process. Do not leave the inverter running as it will continue to consume some power.

As mentioned above, using the inverter while boater homing is not advised with an additional charging source besides solar.

Curt
 
I have a 2012 R27 with same solar panel. During the day with full sun, it will just about keep up with refrigerator. If you place any other loads on the batteries, the further behind they will get.

While boaterhoming without full sun, and for when I’m going to need more than minimal power, I use a Honda 2000 generator. I have a pigtail that connects the generator output to my shore power cord which is connected to the boat. I run it while I’m towing the boat so that the batteries are topped up when I arrive at my overnight stop.

When I arrive at my overnight stop, I will turn off the battery charger and turn on the water heater for 30 minutes to heat a tank of water and then turn off the water heater and generator. If I use the microwave while boaterhoming, I will start the Honda. The microwave really sucks amp hours out of the batteries, as does ANY appliance that creates heat with electricity— coffee makers, electric skillets or grills, hair dryers.

When using a small generator like a Honda 2000 or an inverter, keep in mind that they are quite limited in their ability to power AC appliances. Despite its name, my Honda 2000 generator can produce only 1500 watts AC power continuously. My inverter is also rated at 1500 watts. Fifteen hundred watts AC is 12.5 amps. That’s a little over 1/3 of your boat’s shore power capability.

To use a generator hooked into your shore power system, use these steps:

1) Make sure 120 Volt AC Rotary Selector Switch is OFF
2) Make sure all switches on the AC power panel are OFF
3) Start generator and plug into shore power receptacle
4) Rotate 120 Volt AC Selector Switch to GENERATOR. If your generator has a floating ground (Honda does) the red Reverse Polarity indicator will illuminate. Don’t worry about it.
5) Select ON AC Main switch on AC power panel.
6) Select ON what AC items you want powered. Be aware of the limited watt capacity of the generator and don’t use multiple AC devices at once. For instance, run the microwave OR the battery charger OR the hot water heater. Don’t try to run any of those power hogs at the same time. You will exceed the capacity of the generator.

Do not EVER run the generator while you are sleeping. EVER.
 
I believe another option is to find an outdoor 15 or 20 amp outlet and connect it to a shore power cord leading into the boat with a special pig tail. Then you can turn on your battery charger but maybe not much else until your batteries are full. More knowledgeable tuggers can correct me on this. GF
 
On our 2016 R31S I turned off the inverter function on the KISEA Inverter/Charger and only use it as a charger when on shore power. Too many times shore power would be interrupted with the inverter then bringing down the batteries (to feed AC to the outlets for the dehumidifiers). No on-board generator means we just have to live with the limits of battery power + Solar when on the hook (Or otherwise w/o shore power). Of course no Microwave etc and after a while cold showers, good thing we have the Webasto heater.
 
The solar panel won't keep up with refrigerator. My experience has been that with full sunny days you may get three days and then you need to charge. If you are boaterhoming, is there power at the campsite? You can get a regular 30 amp to 30 amp marine adapter and be all set. I also carried a 20 amp regular plug to 30 amp marine. And then as mentioned a Honda 2000 will do the trick. That sucker can last quite a few hours on a tank of gas. I often thought that it would be a great setup to make a lead from the tow vehicle to the boat electrical system so that the batteries would be charging while driving. Never did get around to doing that. It seems to me that when Ranger is wiring the harness to the boat they could do a little extra wiring so the batteries receive a charge from the tow vehicle.
 
When I read the original poster’s message, I assumed that the boaterhoming spot being used did not have AC power available. Of course if there is AC power available, use that via the shore power cord. The three times I’ve boaterhomed, AC power was not available so the Honda generator was used.
 
I took the advice of several of you. I purchased a 2200 watt generator. Now I have a different problem. When connected to 30 amp power at an RV Park with 3 prong 110 adapter on the end of my 30 Shore Power Cord all electrical systems work fine.
However when I plug the same cord and adapter , I get a reverse polarity error on the AC circuit panel.

Ant suggestions on why and how to fix that is greatly appreciated.
Ken
 
You will need to use a plug to put into one of your outlets on the generator that addresses the reverse polarity. You can make one up and there are several threads that explains how. Or, you can buy one off Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F4R7B ... asin_title
 
msu1966":3vtbzyse said:
....I purchased a 2200 watt generator. ...when I plug the ... cord and adapter , I get a reverse polarity error on the AC circuit panel. Any suggestions on why and how to fix ....
Click to expand...
The reverse polarity light is illuminated because your generator has a floating neutral. It will power the electrical system on your boat just fine. If you want to extinguish the light, make or buy the neutral/ground bonding plug mentioned in several messages above.
 
So until I get the neutral ground bonding plug installed I should be able to use my generator to backup the solar panels when boondocking without concern to damage the electrical systems.
Thanks for all who contributed,
Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top