Charging issues

Colby and Ssobol, That now seems to be the way mine is set up. For AC it goes through the AC panel. Where the GFI power source is (behind the fridge) the gfi says "for AC shore power only". Does this imply that I should turn the AC breaker off when not hooked up to shore power?
When the AC is off and the shore power is not connected the fridge still runs. even if the battery switches are off. I believe this tells me that the fridge is hot-wired to the batteries as there is no visible switch that turns it off the supply. How can I confirm that it is the House batteries and not the starting batteries?
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I’m hesitant to reply on many electrical questions because without knowing how the boat is wired or a specific schematic, there really is no way of knowing. Too many boats, particularly used, are wired differently by their past and current owners and I’m not so sure even the manufacturers wire them the same. The only sure answer to your questions is to trace the wiring or speak with the previous owner to see if they might know. Generally all a/c switches should be off when connecting and disconnecting shore power. My frig does have a switch on the a/c electrical panel. All items on my boat, with the exception of the main starter battery cable, the Vectron Battery Monitor, the battery charger and the inverter, go thru the main battery switches. The inverter is turned on thru a relay with a switch at my 12vt panel, which again requires the main battery switches to be on. I know this because I rewired much of it and have schematics with my owners stuff that would transfer with the boat if I ever sold it. 8) Colby
 
I dislike electric but can't seen to live without it and so I understand your hesitancy.

This is helpful. I have a large switch in the main starting battery box that says Inverter on it. When I turn that on then I can go to the Inverter and turn it on.

My Fridge has that same switch on the Ac Panel.

I didn't know about having the AC Power off when connecting the shore power. Unfortunately, though the switches all seem to work, the AC indicator lights don't work on either settings. No big deal now that I know which direction to turn them.

I did draw up a brief schematic of all the components but I did not draw the lines connecting them as I am still discovering which is which.

I want to thank everyone that contributed as it seems that I gained much understanding. We will go this weekend and test it all.
 
Fine weekend.everything worked.
I guess when connected to shore power you turn off the inverter. then turn on the Ac switch. Fridge ran great, batteries stayed topped off and I merely use the solar on the two house batteries. We had a great weekend electrically and mechanically but gosh was the temp and humidity stink here on the Chesapeake. Sure is a thing of beauty.

Now and then I decide to test things to see if they,re true and I did find that yes, the boat will take on water rapidly if you don,t remember to put the plug in, ask me how I know!
 
Donald, glad to see that you're getting things figured out electrically on your boat. Part of the fun of new boat ownership is figuring out what you have while in the process of enjoying yourself.
As far as the water intrusion issue goes ----- anyone who has owned a trailer boat for any amount of time has at one time or another failed to install the plug before launching. You will find that you will get into a pre-launching routine which will prevent that from happening again. I have found that missing something in the routine usually happens when you have helpful company that disrupts your normal routine. My routine starts prior to getting in line to launch the boat (for a stbd tie) in the staging area. Get out of truck, walk to port transom corner and release tiedown, check plug, raise motor, check plug, remove stbd tiedown, arrange rear line to tie to dock, put rear fender in place, move forward put forward fender down, arrange bow line for easy handling. Walk back around the eyeball everything before getting in the launch lane. Back down till the trailer wheels hit the water, get out and give bow line to helper, unhook safety chain and release strap. Back the boat in till the transom begins to float. Hit the brakes and the boat slides off (I have plastic caps over my 2x6 trailer bed). If my normal copilot is with me I don't worry about the boat and go park the truck. If I have a newbie with me I'll get the boat secured before parking.
I do have a couple of exciting launch sequences that involved not putting in the plug with fishing boats. Part of the life long learning experiences that make you a better boater in the long game.
My suggestion for any boater would be to get in a routine and stick with it.
Of course there is another routine once you're in the water and prior to deparure.
 
Yes, The wife, having been to the "checklist pages" on the Great Loop site insists that we sit down this week and begin crafting a few checklists ourselves. I've never been a "write it down" type of guy and that contributed to almost sanking our boat. It was otherwise a fun trip. Thanks for you encouraging words.



Schuster":1xg1r41n said:
Donald, glad to see that you're getting things figured out electrically on your boat. Part of the fun of new boat ownership is figuring out what you have while in the process of enjoying yourself.

My suggestion for any boater would be to get in a routine and stick with it.
Of course there is another routine once you're in the water and prior to deparure.
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