110v on a Rinker what problems can you have?

Mymobo

Mymobo

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jan 2009
Messages
467
Location
Gloucestershire
Visit site
Hi,

Thinking of chainging my boat we have a rinker on the short list. It has 110v power what problems will this cause? Can you plug into the shower power or will this blow all the electrics? Will I need to change anything?

Advice and comments please

Cheers
 
Well, if you plug into 220V shorepower, the battery charger (if fitted) will certainly go in to Thick Grey Smoke Mode, as will any other appliances (fridge? microwave?) if you try to use them. You would either need to rip out and replace the ring main/charger/sockets/equipment or run it all via a builders' 110V step down transformer.
 
Simple mod, use a transformer as wiggo says.
However leave the transformer out of your sockets circuit and replace the socket covers (plug holes) with British ones.

Then all your installed kit is running off 110V, your sockets are 220 so you can plug in your British kit.

The American stuff is designed for 60hz not 50 and you will get 50Hz 110V. But it won't matter.

Total cost of conversion less than £200.
 
You certainly should not connect appliances designed for 110v to a 230v supply. Also, even with a transformer, you may find some appliances will not work on 50Hz instead of 60Hz.

I used to have a Bayliner that was wired for 110v and had been fitted with a colossal transformer for use with 230v. It originally had an electric cooker and an immersion heater and the refrigerator would operate on 12v or mains. When we bought her the cooker had already been replaced and we replaced the immersion heater.

I found that the refrigerator worked normally on 12v. However, when we used it on the mains the compressor ran but it did not get cold and I concluded that this was because it could not run properly on 50Hz.

I fitted a 230v automatic charger and always ran the refrigerator on 12v. I then removed the 230/110v transformer and the ster floated everal inches higher!
 
You will need to change your fridge or at least your fridge compressor as these are synchronous (it will run too slow at 50hz)... the wiring will probably need replaced too as it may not be 230v rated. Check your battery charger - it may be multivoltage, if you've a cooker or a microwave these will need replaced too. Fitting an 110v autotransformer is definately not the answer.
 
Nigelhg said:
You will need to change your fridge or at least your fridge compressor as these are synchronous (it will run too slow at 50hz)... the wiring will probably need replaced too as it may not be 230v rated. Check your battery charger - it may be multivoltage, if you've a cooker or a microwave these will need replaced too. Fitting an 110v autotransformer is definately not the answer.
Click to expand...

I am a little surprised at your reply stating that "Fitting an 110v autotransformer is definately not the answer", I think that is very big generalisation, and in my case at least, very incorrect.

It would be highly unlikely that wiring would need changing if a conversion to 220 volt was made, 110 volt wire is much thicker and would present no problem.

I bought a Sea Ray Sundancer 400 in 2007 from Florida, I am happy with every aspect of the boat, however the best part is the ease with which I fitted two 3KVA transformers in the transom locker, they weigh the same as the 110 volt shorepower leads that came with the boat, bear in mind 110 volt shorepower cables are significantly thicker than 220 volt items, and I have only had to change the battery charger, which I swopped for a 110 volt Victron 3000 invertor / charger, it can handle 50 or 60 Hz.

The televisions needed changing anyway to work on European television signals, and the two that I bought and fitted are multi voltage, I had no problem buying 110 volt electric kettle, toaster and hair dryer, mobile phones and laptop work on 110 volts just as well as 220 volt, and it has all been very hassle free. Had I known trhat I was not going to change the voltage, I would have bought the appliances I nedfed in the US prior to shipping the boat home, and made it even cheaper and easier.

The Ceramic cook top seems equally happy on 50 or 60Hz as do the onboard vacuum cleaning system, refridgerator, ice maker, microwave and immersion heating element. We are now talking 2 seasons down the track with no problems showing up, and having spent over 100 nights onboard in those two seasons.

I was very surprised how difficult it was here in the UK to get any information on this subject or to find anyone who had faced this decision (to convert or not), when I tried, should you wish to discuss in greater depth, PM me with your telephone number. I would be very happy to share my experiences with you.


Graham
 
Nigelhg said:
You will need to change your fridge or at least your fridge compressor as these are synchronous (it will run too slow at 50hz)... the wiring will probably need replaced too as it may not be 230v rated. Check your battery charger - it may be multivoltage, if you've a cooker or a microwave these will need replaced too. Fitting an 110v autotransformer is definately not the answer.
Click to expand...

Nonsense. I've done it and it works perfectly.

The fridge will work slower but you won't notice the difference.
Everything will work via the transformer perfectly.
For the bit you convert to 240 (the sockets) cabling size is based on amps, and at 240V the amperage is halved so the cabling has twice the capacity it needs.
 
Dave_Seager said:
That's a bit strong! It may have worked for you but it will not work for all. I think that our Bayliner had an Engel refrigerator and that definitely did not work on a transformer giving 110v at 50Hz.
Click to expand...

Even if the fridge doesn't work (mine did) you can run it off the 12V and run the battery charger.
So

.. the wiring will probably need replaced too as it may not be 230v rated.
-----------8<---------
Fitting an 110v autotransformer is definately not the answer.
Click to expand...

Is nonsense!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top