Hi, I recently bought a boat that needs some attention in the electrical system.
There are 2 solar panels that seem to charge a lead acid (leisure) battery through an MPPT 100/30 but that is about as sophisticated as it gets…
There is no circuitry for wall-power to charge the batteries, just an EEC socket that feeds a couple of 230V sockets inside the boat.
There’s a power inverter that I still need to locate, that feeds a separate socket, but that inverter overheats (I am told) and I am not sure (yet) what brand it is.
I want to start a new circuit in phases to spread the cost and to have decent wall-power inside the boat within a reasonable amount of time.
Phase 1 would be to start with a MultiPlus 12/2000 or MultiPlus II 12/3000 to charge the battery and provide me with 230V, either from the inverter or wall-power without be concerned about what is used when.
Phase 2 would be to add the MPPT into the mix (with decent wires and fuses). To charge the battery
Phase 3 would be to replace the old battery with a lithium battery, dc-dc converter to charge it, etc, etc. and maybe also charge the starter battery from the MultiPlus.
So my first concern is to safely connect the MultiPlus to wall-power and install a couple of sockets to safely provide me with 230V throughout the boat.
What is the way to go here? Do I need extra breakers, residual current circuit breakers and if so, before or after the MultiPlus or both? Where do I connect ground from the wall-power?
I can’t seem to find a basic schematic for this.
Any help appreciated.
I haven’t bought the MP yet…any recommendations on whether to get the 2000 VA or 3000 VA?
If you haven’t bought a couple of books, then you need to get those. Charles Wing Boatowner’s wiring manual, Nicholas Payne Boat Electrics, Nigel Calder Mechanical and Electrical Manual, Victron Energy Unlimited to name a few. Lots to read up.
But you need to be thinking isolation transformer or galvanic isolator on incoming shore power. RCDs, AC breaker panel, DC breaker panel, a common ground bar/terminal for all AC earth wires and DC negatives, AC sources eg inverter and generator with one AC leg grounded, etc etc.
Thanks for all your insights and info.
I am just afraid these schematics are way to complicated for what I need and one contradicts the other.
I see schematics connecting the (-) of the battery to the hull of the ship, others that don’t
Some connect the ground from the wall to the hull of the ship, other connect it through an isolator, others say to NOT connect ground from the wall to the hull at all…
That is the problem with an international site and market, the rules vary grom location yo location. For example here in the UK inland metal hulled boats must have the dc and ac grounded. In the US there are the AYBC standards, in the EU and UK, the ISO small craft regulations apply.
Therefore, you need to find your local regulations or a marine electrician.
It is also why you will not get specific advice here.
The other reason you will not get detailed replies is it is outside of the community guidelines, sticky thread at the top of Q&A that users are directed to when joining, extract below.
Not really the place for System Design
Long, multifaceted issues involving system design, multiple run on questions with very specific installation and nuanced details are not really well suited for the structure of the community. It is best to have a single question with a clear title per post. More complex enquires are best be directed towards your distributor.
and to have decent wall-power inside the boat within a reasonable amount of time.