| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MizunkY |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 2:05:43 PM
In order to use the AC and Stove away from shore power, one would need an inboard generator or a carry-on. I plan on doing a carry-on so I was curious as to how one of those would be hooked up to the boat. Does anyone know? What would be the minimum wattage required to turn on the AC compressor?
Without a generator, are you able to use the fridge on soley batteries? How can we be certain we won't drain our batteries to the point where our engines won't start? |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Myacht lll |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 3:28:19 PM
My AC is 16000 BTU not KW as I said before. It is not original. It was installed a few years ago and is a reverse cycle set up. One eu 2000 will not start it up by itself so thats why I use two.One thing to remember is that if you are trying to power anything with less power than it should have it might work but it puts a big strain on it and will shorten the life of the product or burn it out.
Hugh
1988 Voyager
SW Fl. |
| Mr Podman |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 06:53:45 AM
I have a 10,000 BTU AC unit that runs off my Honda EU2000i with my shore power cord attached to it.
I never use the boat's electric burners when I'm away from the dock. Usually I'll cook on a BBQ or on a one burner Coleman camp stove I've owned forever. |
| Jimbo Song |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 06:38:01 AM
No, not stock. I installed it last Spring. Boating this Summer was a LOT more enjoyable! Slept like an innocent man. 
Also, mine is not a heat pump, it is A/C only. On those very rare occasions I need a little heat in the boat I use a small ceramic plug-in heater in the Salon which, for Florida, is more than adequate. If it gets really cold I put another one in the forward berth. Works well in Florida and they don't draw enough current to even consider.
One other thing I should point out about my set up is that my stove is not electric. It's propane so I don't have to worry about that load on a protable genny.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
| MizunkY |
Posted - 10/07/2009 : 12:42:54 PM
Bob, did the 7000 BTU A/C come stock with the boat or did you add it?
Hugh, did the 1.6kw come stock with yours? So you're not able to start the compressor with just one honda eu2000? |
| Myacht lll |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 11:43:47 AM
I have a 16kw AC unit on my boat. I was going to buy an onboard gen. but couldn't quite justify the cost ($6000.00) considering how much I would use it. I would only have been able to put a 3KW on which would have barely run the air much less anything else. So what I did was buy two eu2000 Hondas. They come with a connector cord and togeather produce 4KW which is plenty. When the weather is right and I don't need air I can just take one of them with me.I had to buy an adaptor so that I could plug both of my shorepower cords into them. Its real easy to hook it up that way.
Hugh
1988 Voyager
West Coast, Fl. |
| Jimbo Song |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 8:14:23 PM
I have a 7000 BTU A/C as well as a 12 gallon water heater. I use a Honda EU2000i, simply plugged into the shore power inlet, for both, but not at the same time. I can run the fridge and either the water heater or A/C. Also leave the battery charger on.
With a bit of power management I find the EU2000i more than adequate.
The jump ball is the size of your A/C. Works fine for mine but if your is a lot bigger it may not be enough power.There should be a plate somewhere in your A/C that will give you the power information.
Yes, there are portable 3000 watt gennys but I find them to be really cumbersome and heavy. The EU2000i is light, compact and very quiet and is more than adequate for any and all of my needs.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
| MizunkY |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 5:03:58 PM
This definitely helps but I'm still not sure what to do. Plugging a generator into the shore power line is a good idea. Any ideas as to what wattage the stove requires? Based on what I'm reading on other forums, I would need a 3000+ watt generator to run the AC. I need to find out what the compressor amperage is rated at, running and start.
What do you all run on batteries alone?
I'm looking into the popular Honda EU2000 generators but I'm sure sure they're powerful enough for our AC units. |
| Rockmeister |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 4:31:44 PM
Most heat-pump ACs of this size take about 12-13 amps at 120v
That would make about 1600W just for the AC.
If you take the current rating of the fridge and multiply it by 120v (Amps x Volts) that will give you what the fridge needs.
Add the fridge wattage to the 1600w for the AC and round UP for the generator.
You need a transfer switch to connect the two AC (Alternating current) systems.
It can be done with 120v relays also, however it has to be done in a safe manner.
(The relays would be powered by shore power & connect to shore power whenever they are energized.)
A much simpler way to connect the generator is to connect the regular marine shore power cord to the generator using an adapter with the appropriate current rating.
When on the generator, plugged into generator.
When on shore, plug into shore.
Pretty foolproof.
Running the fridge from the batteries will drain them very fast.
Usually only run mine from 12v while under way.
You can also use isolation switches & ACRs (automatic charge relays) with a separate battery for the fridge.
That way, you can still start, even if the fridge ran down it's battery.
You also want a low voltage sensing ACR for the fridge to prevent it damaging the battery by draining it too low. (Disconnects automatically before the fridge damages the battery.)
Hope this helps!
79 28' Mariner twin inboard V-drive.
Western Lake Erie: Maumee Bay & The Islands |
