upgrading from 30A to 50A

[ealbada]

As a liveaboard in North Carolina, the heaters + water heaters load is too much for my present 30A service. I would either like to upgrade my shore power from 30A to 50A or add a second 30A service. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the better option?

Also, what would entail switching from 30A to 50A?

[SG]

If you have a reverse cycle AC unit -- then I'd look at putting it on a seperate service along with, say, the H2O heater...BUT

What do you have that is going to be requiring all that heat? How many 1100 Watt resistance heaters -- and what else?

[ealbada]

I have:

2 reverse cycle ac/heaters - 1 12,500 btu in the main salon, 1 6,500 btu for the aft cabins. the fore cabin does not get heat (catamaran)
1 water heater
1 small lcd tv
mornings - 1 hair dryer for the wife's hair
- coffee maker
- microwave oven

right now, we manage the system by turning off the water heater when the hair drier is needed.

As the small unit is too small, I'm looking to upgrade the 6,500 to a larger unit.

But really, why does it matter what I have? I have the minimal for marina liveaboard winter comfort. We dont need or use all the appliances on the hook, but as two young professionals, we cant imagine anything less at the marina. I find too many "traditionalists" quick to criticize on our "unnecessary" comforts rather than offer help on a solution.

[SG]

My suggestion is to get a separate 30 Amp service (i.e., shore power connection with breker panel, etc.) for i) The AC units and ii) The H20 Heater.

That way, if you use an inverter for AC power, you can keep for the "convenience" outlets that will include the TV, Computer, Hairdryer, Microwave, etc. while the "heavy" loads don't have a chance of "seeing that" your battery power is being drained inacvertantly or worse.

[KIMBERLITE]

I would go 50 amps one plug.

You will need a new 50-amp shore power cord.

A new 50 amp deck socket.

Run new heavier gauge wiring to the circuit breaker panel.

If all the appliances already have a circuit breaker, you will just have to beef up the three busses that carry the electric. You will not have to replace the panel. You will however have to add a small panel with a 220-volt circuit breaker. You will have to split main the panel wiring so that an equal load is carried on each leg of the feed to the boat. Even though the feed seems to be 220 volts, there is 110 volts between the white-red and between the black and white.
Black and red are hot. White is the neutral and the green is ground. I would also put in a galvanic isolator while you are at it.
Fair Winds,
Eric
Amel Super Maramu #376

[Dale Jadus]

:D Berfore you go the route Eric suggests, which is your correct route, you can likely make life little easier by downsizing the water heater element. Get a 2000 or 2400 watt element - 240 volts and urn it at 120.