240V supply on a yacht - what for ?

[Tomaret]

Some of the things listed above and 240v old fashioned (i.e. 1990s) wall (or I suppose bulkhead) mounted spotlights - they probably need a power station of their own to run them, and each winter I think I should change them for something more attractive, less power hungry, cooler etc but never get around to it.

 

[Graham376]

No, it's a genuine question - I'm just trying to discover what others use their onboard mains supply for.

Thanks,

Boo2

We only have a 350w inverter and use it for the lcd TV, and a couple of small food mixers. Computer, tablets, phones etc all run/charge on 12v. In marinas or boatyard on shore power, have 240v kettle, toaster and microwave. Also have Honda generator for power tools and power washer + battery charging occasionally afloat.

 

[Dawnrazor]

Used a lot when at the marina:
Dehumidifier
mains kettle
small electric heaters
Microwave
Coffee machine
Toaster

and last but not least.......

Disco Glitterball

 

[colind3782]

The Jacuzzi and the helipad lights

 

[FlyingGoose]

The Jacuzzi and the helipad lights

The Ice maker , the Walk in Fridge Freezer , the Champagne cooler, 60 inch LCD TV and the vibrating bed:excitement::excitement:

 

[RupertW]

Battery charger
Immersion heater
Fan heater and/or dehumidifier in Winter
Ice Maker (though we often run that off the inverter if engine on)
Hair dryers

But we also find it makes new guests feel much more at home have normal looking double sockets in their cabins for the bits and pieces they bring with them - usually hair dryer and various chargers. It’s a little bit of a shock to them when they find out the next day that they don’t work underway or at an anchorage but by then the sunshine and swimming has mellowed them and any charger using a USB will still work fine.

 

[Just_sayin']

Very simply, we could live off 12 volts at home but why would we?

240v supplies all those things listed above and is just so convenient.

 

[GHA]

More 12v as time goes on..
From the mains or genny - power tools, and a food grinder which is too much for the inverter. Prob about it, laptop is off a boost converter, various other buck/boost converters for a few bits which don't charge off usb or 12v.

Might splash out on a bigger inverter.

 

[prv]

The OP asked about main uses and these have all been covered but no one has mentioned a small vacuum cleaner. [...] Perhaps you think I am crazy but just try it.

Going by this thread I'm apparently towards the simple 12v end of the spectrum, but I don't think you're crazy at all. A small vacuum cleaner would make a lot of sense on board, and I keep meaning to do the research and get one.

(It would of course be 12v in my case . And I'm aware that there are lots of rubbish 12v vacuums hence the need to research a good one.)

Pete

 

[RupertW]

Going by this thread I'm apparently towards the simple 12v end of the spectrum, but I don't think you're crazy at all. A small vacuum cleaner would make a lot of sense on board, and I keep meaning to do the research and get one.

(It would of course be 12v in my case . And I'm aware that there are lots of rubbish 12v vacuums hence the need to research a good one.)

Pete

We have a rechargeable hand Dyson vacuum cleaner - only not mentioned as it charges nicely on the inverter every few weeks so not part of our “mains only” usage

 

[Seven Spades]

We have a rechargeable hand Dyson vacuum cleaner - only not mentioned as it charges nicely on the inverter every few weeks so not part of our “mains only” usage

Which one, I just bought the Dyson V7 Trigger and the battery lasted 4 minutes I was not able to finish the saloon and then had to charge it for 3.5hours.

 

[rogerthebodger]

My mains wet and dry vacuum is small and has a power of 1000Watts. I went for this small one after trying various 12VDC and rechargeable would not suck. The power was limited to use with my inverter.

We have now purchased a 1800Watt true hoover as we now have shore power.

All domestic equipment is either 12VDC (computer, TV/monitor, radios and lights) or gas except SWMBO's microwave that will run from my inverter.

 

[LadyInBed]

Even when I had a 22 footer with no plumbed in mains circuit I still ran a four block mains extension cable when shore power was available as I carried Kettle, clip on light, battery charger and fan heater.

 

[RupertW]

Which one, I just bought the Dyson V7 Trigger and the battery lasted 4 minutes I was not able to finish the saloon and then had to charge it for 3.5hours.

It’s 8 years old now and was the “pet hair” one - lasts about 15 minutes then about another 5 if you let it cool down for a bit.
Usually use it for a dozen or so bursts of 10 seconds so it lasts a while.

 

[Ric]

I have a 12v boat but a small inverter is indispensable to power a 220v hot knife for rope work at sea or at mooring.

 

[LadyInBed]

I have a 12v boat but a small inverter is indispensable to power a 220v hot knife for rope work at sea or at mooring.

I have a neat little gas hot knife / soldering iron pen.

 

[RupertW]

I have a neat little gas hot knife / soldering iron pen.

I use an old knife and the gas ring

 

[rogerthebodger]

I use an old knife and the gas ring

I use the gas lighter that I use to light the gas ring.

Also use it for heat shrink.

 

[rotrax]

Been interested in the replies to the OP.

Like many, we have the usual 240v culprits, kettle, toaster, hand held vacuum-would not have a battery one-microwave, fan heater, dehumidifier and a 240v power drill. In addition we have an electric flat grill, breadmaker, small washing machine and 42 litre freezer with a smart switch between 12v/240v.

The last item has transformed our cruising lifestyle.

We have 540W of battery power, no solar or inverter but an 8KW genset.

We started out camping on water, but we enjoy a few more home comforts now.

 

[KAL]

We find that the hot tub and sauna on our Discus take ages to heat up from the 12v supply, so we use 240v when in a marina. The tanning bed also works far better when we’re plugged in.