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Old 04-19-2018, 03:00 PM   #1
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Running AC off only shore power

Can anyone explain to me how I would ensure my AC units only receive power when hooked up through shore power?

Currently I was planning on setting up the bus for 30 amp service with my AIMS 2kw pure sine inverter charger

Would it be better to set the bus up for 50 amp service and run one leg to the inverter and the other to the AC panel and setup my air conditioners to only run off the direct shore power branch off the 50 amp service?

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Old 04-19-2018, 05:15 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Mgulley82 View Post
Can anyone explain to me how I would ensure my AC units only receive power when hooked up through shore power?

Currently I was planning on setting up the bus for 30 amp service with my AIMS 2kw pure sine inverter charger

Would it be better to set the bus up for 50 amp service and run one leg to the inverter and the other to the AC panel and setup my air conditioners to only run off the direct shore power branch off the 50 amp service?
You can do it that way, but if you did then you wouldn't have AC when on 30 amp service.

Can't you just turn them off, and turn them on only when you have shore-power?
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Old 04-19-2018, 05:45 PM   #3
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I've been pondering this as well. In my head, and I'm a total noob, I think having a circuit breaker box between the shore plug and the inverter would work. Then wire the AC to that breaker box. In theory, in my head, this should keep the AC off of the inverter. PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong because I'm in the middle of planning my electric system.
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:27 AM   #4
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Wire inverter output to only service certain circuits.

Do not bother with auto transfer, manual switching at most, changing actual plugs to different sources KISSest.
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Old 04-20-2018, 06:27 PM   #5
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Wire inverter output to only service certain circuits.

Do not bother with auto transfer, manual switching at most, changing actual plugs to different sources KISSest.
But then you'll have the issue of it back feeding through the panel without shutting off the breaker/pulling fuses first...
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:13 PM   #6
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This might be an occasion for the old-fashioned "transfer switch." (I think this is what john61ct is referring to also..?)


Set up the shore power cord so it feeds the air conditioners and an outlet. Connect an outlet to the inverter output. Wire a plug to feed the circuit breaker box. Move the plug between the inverter outlet and the shore power outlet as needed to switch the power source.

It's really easily upgraded to support a generator, too...
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:54 PM   #7
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Relevant for more complex installs. https://www.bluesea.com/resources/101

To me this is another KISS point in favour of keeping inverters separate from chargers.

I don't use inverters to "power the boat", just specific devices, and ideally as few as possible.

DC is the default as much as possible.
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Old 04-20-2018, 08:02 PM   #8
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DC is the default as much as possible.
That's what I've been thinking... I'd rather stick with DC as much as possible when not on shore power.
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Old 04-20-2018, 08:51 PM   #9
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So I’ve opted to just run a separate circuit to each AC unit (two total at 600-700 Watts each) on a 30 amp service.

My battery bank won’t handle the AC units for long (maybe 3-4 hours max without any solar/shore/alternator input?) but we just won’t turn them on unless running a generator, shore power or driving down the road I’ll turn on one for air conditioning up front and run it off the inverter.
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:04 PM   #10
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Yes, it is very expensive to run aircon for hours off the bank, really just time-shifting running the genny.

Directly off a kW of solar works nicely, but then you need to choose between the aircon and recharging your bank. 1200+W solar starts to work better, but still only for very efficient low-BTU units.
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Old 04-21-2018, 05:16 AM   #11
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Here is my electrical diagram that accomplishes what you ask. If not clear, I can explain.
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