BOAT ELECTRICAL
The electrical system is divided into two distribution systems: 110 volt or AC and 12
volt or DC. The systems are controlled from the electrical panel located at the Nav
station and the battery switches located in the starboard stateroom.
When not connected to shore power your batteries provide most of your electrical
power. Therefore the use of onboard electricity needs to be monitored very
carefully.
Turn off electrical
devices
when they are not being used (lights,
instruments, etc.)
110 Volt or AC (Alternating Current)
Shore Power supports all AC equipment and receptacles on board as well as the
battery charger.
To connect to shore power plug the power cord into the boat and then into the dock
receptacle. Check your power rating/plug size of the dock receptacle (i.e. 30amp,
20amp etc.) Secure the cord around the shore power electrical receptacle and off the
bow (i.e. wrap around bowline a few times) turn the dock power breaker on. There
is a fault breaker in the port aft cockpit locker.
On the boat, turn the shore circuit breaker on at the electrical panel. Turn on
appropriate breakers for battery charger, etc. Watch your voltmeter for load. If the
load exceeds the voltage, it will pop the breaker. If this occurs, wait to turn on one
of your systems (i.e. water heater) until the use of power decreases.
Inverter
The Inverter is powered by the house batteries. The amount of DC power is
limited
to the capacity of these batteries so
use it very sparingly
!!! This means use the
inverter to charge your cell phone batteries or computers.
When connected to shore power, your battery charger will recharge all the 12-volt
start and house batteries. Should you detect the charger is failing to charge the
batteries, check the circuit breaker on the AC panel to make certain that it is on.
House 12-volt System
Two
battery banks support your 12 volt system: #1 Engine Start and #2 House
battery and are located under the port stateroom bed. Normally you will leave the
switches on while running.
When anchored or moored,
turn off the #1 battery
. Turn switch to the horizontal
position.
Note: Changing the position of the battery switches with the engine
running
will cause damage!
Only change positions with the engine off!
Your 12 volt panel shows all the systems supported by your batteries. Primarily you
will be turning on these breakers for lights, water pressure, electronics, etc. Bilge
pumps will always be left on. Your breaker for the propane and should be turned off
after every use.
When disconnected from shore power, the 12–volt systems will drain the battery
especially when at anchor
. Monitor your batteries very carefully
. The DC voltmeter
on the DC panel can be switched between your battery banks to measure battery
