AC (Alternating Current) Power System
The AC Power System on the boat allows us to operate household devices like TVs and galley appliances.
The AC Power used in our homes comes from utility power stations (Generators) fueled by either fossil fuels, renewable sources or nuclear power. It is produced at very high voltages to make transmission easier and then eventually stepped down to 220/110 VAC for use in our homes.
On a boat, we have to generate our own AC power. We have a Generator (Fossil Fuel) to directly produce AC Power and then we can produce AC Power through a Inverter.
An inverter takes DC power and converts it to AC Power. On the boat, DC power is generated via an Engine Alternator, Solar, Wind or a Battery Charger (AC Power IN).
Purchase Condition
The boat as delivered has a Generator (8KVW Westerbeke)
It has 2 Shore power inputs that apparently feed 2 different battery chargers as well as 2 AC Buses that power our Air Conditioners, Water Heater, Water Maker and the AC Outlets throughout the boat.
We don't have an Inverter installed as the previous owner felt that the GenSet was sufficient.
Boats typically get AC power from 3 different sources:
Shore Power - This is only available when we are in a marina. We do not expect any issues with this part of our electrical system. We have the necessary cabling to plug in 2 separate inputs so we can take 2 110VAC/30 AMP inputs.
Generator - The boat is equipped with a 8KVW Westerbeke GenSet (8.0 EGTD) that was recently installed as it only has 50 hours on it. This will be a large enough GenSet to allow us to go back to an Electric Scuba Compressor. The GenSet will supplement our solar array and provide supplemental charging to our DC system when Solar (Sunshine) is not keeping up.
We will be incorporating any alarm outputs into our master alarm system
Inverter/ Charger
The boat will have a 24 VDC based system. Our current inverter is a 12VDC device and will not work with our 24 VDC system so we will need to get a new one. For now 3000W inverter will be sufficient.
The Charger side of this device allows us to charge the batteries from either shore power or the GenSet.
.As far as AC Devices on the boat we will have:
Galley Appliances
Induction Cooktop
Convection/ Microwave/ Air Fryer
Hot water maker
Ninja Foodie
Entertainment
Salon TV
Berth TV
Laptop Computer(s)
Portable Fridge/ Freezer (Engels)
Washing Machine
Air Conditioners - master Berth is being replaced with a modern high efficiency unit, The Salon AC is not being updated and we do not expect to use it often.
Water Maker (and associated pumps) - replacing with new SeaWater Pro HP Pump.
Hot Water heater (boiler) - Main Engine coolant circulates as a heat source (like the heater in your car) and there is a electrical heating element like your home electric hot water heater.
AC System as Designed
The above picture shows the 110VAC system. This system is important if you want to operate normal consumer electrical appliances (e.g. a Microwave or a TV). We have a full A/C system on the boat to operate the galley appliances, make water via Reverse Osmosis, heat our water when the engine is not running, watch TV and finally operate our Scuba Compressor.
Although the boat has receptacles for shore power, the boat is designed to be self sufficient so these receptacles will not be used the vast majority of the time. Instead, our A/C power needs will come from the GenSet ( for the larger requirements - the Scuba Compressor and the Salon AC) or from the Inverter side of our Inverter/Charger which will turn 24VDC in to 110VAC.
110VAC has sufficient power to kill if not handled properly (or improperly installed). Like the DC side and the warning there, please seek professional help in designing, specing out and installing such a system.
