shorepower amp question

Also worth noting that even if you had two 16A outlets on the same phase today you cannot guarantee that the marina wouldn't make a change at some point in the future that put them on different phases (albeit very unlikely I know). So the advice is surely NEVER to use LBOK as a long term solution and only use it as a short term fix if you really know what you're doing.
 
I fitted a Mastervolt softstart on my boat last year, given that it was built in the USA and requires a transformer between the boat and the shorepower, the softstart completely resolved the issue of initial spikes when plugging into the shorepower, or when the power came back on after a power outage.

Best thing every fitted, problem totally resolved.

Graham
 
GSL said:
I fitted a Mastervolt softstart on my boat last year, given that it was built in the USA and requires a transformer between the boat and the shorepower, the softstart completely resolved the issue of initial spikes when plugging into the shorepower, or when the power came back on after a power outage.

Best thing every fitted, problem totally resolved.

Graham
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I like that very much as installation looks very straight forward!!
 
FARSCO said:
Probably a stupid question but here goes.

I have 16 amp shore power supply and connections however, my air con unit spikes above 16 amp when the compressor first starts tripping the power.

If i get a Y connector and plug into the other available shore power socket, have i got 32 amp?
I understand the risks of running 32 amp through 16 amp cable/ connectors but once running, it draws 10amp according to my volt meter onboard.

I cant understand why the shore power would have been underspecced from new but i guess as i have a generator, they assumed that would be used for air con.

Am i being foolish!!
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You could also go across 2 phases which would be a big bang
 
If your chiller is only 8,500btu you shouldn't have an issue. My chiller is 36,000btu & when a 32A supply is not available i switch the chiller to my second shoreline circuit & run it happily from a standard 16A socket. It runs at 15A but start peaks in the 40's & nothing trips.

I do have 'D' curve CB on board, a 'B' will always trip. Most marinas seem to be using C/D now to minimize the issue.
 
FARSCO said:
Thanks Trevor, I know my unit is 8500 btu. The dometic smart start is £400 so thats quite a saving.

I feel a long pm coming on how it's wired in! Not that I would do it myself but no one on the island is experienced in marine water chillers.
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A major part of my day job is converting ever so slightly larger compressors to run off inverters. Happy to help, and not that big a deal really. I can probably provide a fairly workable solution for you.
 
Forgive me if my contribution has overlooked a previous post, but if your issue is the consumer socket outlet protection at the point of supply ( usually a multiway pod ) you are not authorised to interfere with this equipment. (See contract)
Since motor starting current can be in the region of 3-4 times rated this must be a common problem for your supplier and he will no doubt have a solution. As mentioned in earlier posts this is simply a question of selecting a circuit breaker with a longer time delay characteristic. (thermal type) I'm sure your suppliers electrical contractor will change the CB quicker than it has taken me to stir my grey matter and with no expense for you. After all he will be keen to maintain the revenue. However, there could be an issue with this CB design in this application. A Certified contractor is governed by the IEE wiring regs. and will know the limitations for this environment.
 
I'm going to double check the circuit breaker rating but to be honest, as the marina is government run, getting anything changed would involve a policy review committee of at least 10 people none of whom know what a circuit breaker is!

I will ask though :)
 
For anyone interested or having similar issues in the future, I have found out that the start capacitor shouldn't look like this (the black cylinder bottom right with a crusty top!!)



I may well still need a soft start but worth changing this first as it's a cheap item.
 
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