Learning about my boat - how to use A/C, microwave, etc while under way? '04 FV 250

emelvee1

I bought my first boat late last year (a 2004 Rinker Fiesta Vee 250) and have now operated it for a few hours on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. I had literally zero powerboat experience prior to this boat - never owned one, never operated one. I've taken it out three times now, just to get used to operating it, in and out of the slip, etc.

This past weekend, I decided to venture into the cabin to check out the microwave and other functions. I see the switch to turn shore power on/off. I haven't connected it to shore power yet to test that yet.

I know this is a dumb question, but how do I use the microwave and other power accessories in the galley while we're out on the lake? 

LaRea

Not a dumb question ... it's a common one.  

The boat has two totally different power systems:  DC and AC.  DC power comes from your batteries or your engine.  AC power comes from either shore power or a generator. 

The big power hogs will run ONLY on AC power:  air conditioner, microwave, water heater, battery charger, ice maker if you have one.  Smaller systems run on DC power:  stereo, GPS, VHF radio and so forth.  There's one exception:  most boat refrigerators take AC power, but can run on DC because they have a built-in inverter.  

An inverter converts battery DC power to AC.  Could it run a microwave -- yes, but not on a 25-foot boat.  You'd have to spend thousands and haul around an extra 150 pounds of batteries. 

Aqua_Aura

If you don't have a generator then you may be limited to only using the accessories on shore power. If anything is 12v powered then it should run from the battery. 

aero3113

Welcome to the forum
If you don’t have a generator installed a portable one is an option.

aero3113

Also, if you haven’t hooked up to shore power yet be careful, your refrigerator will drain you batteries.

emelvee1

I have a small portable generator. I thought I would need that only if the engine was off. I guess I figured I'd be able to use the accessories (mainly fridge, microwave, A/C and heat) while operating the boat, without a generator. I know for the A/C to function, the boat has to been in the water enough for  water to cycle through for cooling (such as if overnighting onboard)

Aqua_Aura

If the engine is running and the electrical system has an inverter than maybe that stuff will operate. That would need to be a very large inverter though to run some of those things. 

emelvee1

Aqua_Aura said:

If the engine is running and the electrical system has an inverter than maybe that stuff will operate. That would need to be a very large inverter though to run some of those things. 

I guess I was comparing the boat to an RV. But I hadn't thought about how serious of an inverter that would be needed for those larger-draw accessories. 

Aqua_Aura

I calculated the refrigerator draw on the battery once and surprisingly it would take quite awhile to run the battery down. Of course it depends on outside temperature and how cold you want the refrigerator. I believe it would easily last 24 hours if I recall correctly which is fine for overnight then start the engine. How many batteries do you have in board? 

emelvee1

There are the two standard batteries onboard

LaRea

FYI, it is safe to leave the boat plugged into shore power (assuming all systems are in good condition).  That will keep the batteries charged and the fridge cold.  The battery charger will not overcharge the batteries.  

Aqua_Aura

I guess I was assuming you were not in a marina. My battery comment on the refrigerator was thinking of anchored over night or out for the day keeping your soda pops and water cool 😎

emelvee1

Aqua_Aura said:

I guess I was assuming you were not in a marina. My battery comment on the refrigerator was thinking of anchored over night or out for the day keeping your soda pops and water cool 😎

I do keep the boat in a slip at a marina. The main reason I was hoping to be able to use the fridge, A/C, etc. while underway was if I anchored out on the lake for a few hours on a hot day.

PickleRick

If anchored and using a genny make sure you put a co2 detector in the boat.  A couple died 2 years ago on our lake from co2 poisoning.  

aero3113

It happened here also.

Aqua_Aura

Fortunately we have a great thread that was just started on co2 detectors and monitors. 

PickleRick

I dont have one of the fancy wired in ones, i have a home depot 25 dollar one that gets a new 9v battery each season.  

Dream_Inn

You can definitely keep the fridge going, especially if you leave it on and plugged into shore power the rest of the time.  A few hours anchored, your fridge will work on DC and stay cold.  As far as AC, typically while anchored you'll get a nice breeze and won't need it.  But, with a portable generator (large enough to power AC), you can use it for the occasion time you want to run it and keep batteries charged.  You'll find that you can stay out anchored all weekend and use the generator just a few hours each day.

PickleRick

I run my genset, a 2200ish watt inverter generator about 8 to 10 hours a night.  We run the ac from about 9pm until we are good an woken up the next morning.


 I have to refill around 5am but by that time nature is calling and i need to visit the swim platform anyway.    

I don't have a fridge.  Oddly enough the pressure cooker useses more amps than the AC.