moving to 240v

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tomainsley

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Hello,
my hunter legend came from the states and as such, is wired to take 110v from the shore power. Until now we've just had the shore power plugged in to a weighty 240/110v transfomer,(that's the arrangement that came with the boat from its previous owner) and the outlet from that plugged into the boat.
Now, I'm getting a new sterling procharge c battery charger, i wondered;
1.Can i ditch the transformer and just plug into the 240v mains?
2.Do I need to rewire anything, would 110v cabling melt and catch fire with 240v going through it, or isn't it much different, as i suppose the appliances would still take the same load in amps.
3. What would happen to the things on the a.c. switchboard, like the outlets, water heater and such? could they still run? or would i have to make modifications.
4. Should i just stick with the bulky and heavy and 'in the way' transformer which occupies most of a lazarette? it does work after all.
 
Should be no problems. One of the bonuses is that 240volt appliances (watt for watt) will take less than half the current so all the cable sizes will be more than adequate.

Change the sockets etc to UK ones and check the "polarity" throughout.

You might want to reduce some of the fuse sizes or mcb ratings but not vital as they should match the cable sizes anyway.

All equipment will need to be changed to 240 volt stuff. That water heater for example!

There is much merit in keeping the existing arrangement if the transformer is an isolating one not an auto transformer but finding 110volt equipment may become a bit of a pain.
 
You need to check what is fed from the transformer as they will need to be replaced or converted to run on 230v. Check the immersion heater if fitted. Also, many boats from the USA have electric cookers.
 
I would leave it and try to buy a more compact transformer. All the above comments are correct, and adapting stuff like the water heater can be difficult and expensive. I didn't buy a well priced Hunter 45 for that same reason.

On a positive note, the 110V is safer to have on board than our European 240 V
 
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