The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

Voltmeter on AC Panel, Why? - Novice question...

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electrical and Wiring
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
tomherrick
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:19 pm    Post subject: Voltmeter on AC Panel, Why? - Novice question... Reply with quote

I've been looking at AC panels for our boats and see that some have a voltmeter built-in and some don't. I'm wondering why it's offered. Most AC devices have some leeway on the actual delivered voltage they require. Does the voltage at some marinas vary quite a bit, or is there some other reason I'm not aware of for wanting a voltmeter in the shore power mix?
Back to top
thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In my large boats and RV, I do have AC voltage meters. On my C Dorys I have not. On the end of many docks, especially ones where there may be heaters or air conditioners running, often the voltage is low. I have seen as low as 90 volts. Not a big problem for resistive loads, but many electronics and inductive loads do not do well with low voltages. I always carry a digital volt meter, and it takes a few seconds to check the voltages. I don't see a need for volt meter in a C Dory.

On the 12 volt DC side--that is an essential. Plus I also like to have an amps in and amps out, as well as current amperage draw, as well as voltage on my start and house batteries. I use a Link 10 +, The Victron 702 is comparable. Blue Seas and several others have good meters as well as Balmar.

_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
AstoriaDave



Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 994
City/Region: Astoria
State or Province: OR
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To put a sharp point on Dr. Bob's warning of the effects of low AC voltage on the AC supply: anything as low as 90 VAC is very likely to cause AC motors to burn out in relatively short order. How? AC power well below the rated voltage will cause the motor to run slower. A slowed motor will draw MORE current, possibly exceeding the rated current for the motor's wiring. Yes, MORE current. Counterintuitive, yes!?
_________________
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 3593
City/Region: Valley Centre
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: journey on
Photos: Journey On
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My opinion is that if you can afford it, get the one with voltmeters, both for the AC and DC panels. More information is really, really handy when you're troubleshooting an electrical system. Of course you can get the voltages with a portable voltmeter, but built in meters can tell you at a glance what is the situation.

You can also install separate voltmeters, available at any electrical supply store. Expensive in marine supply stores. The interior of a C-Dory is a relativity benign place for a voltmeter, so you don't need a special meter. Get mine from Newark Electronics. You only need a small 3" analogue meter.

Note that a lot of loads in a boat are constant POWER loads and POWER=VOLTAGExCURRENT, so as the voltage goes down, the current goes up. This may lead to a brownout or blowup. True for AC and DC. A voltmeter will tell you instantly what is the situation.

Boris
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
tomherrick
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On further research, Dave, AC motors are the crux of that biscuit. Many other appliances can deal with wide voltage variation without much safety worries, but the AC motor requires a certain wattage to run and it'll take it any it can get it - increasing the amperage load to compensate for the voltage drop.

Now, as I probably won't be watching an analog voltmeter continuously, I wonder if the digital models have an alarm that can be activated below a user-determined setting...

All the best,

T
Back to top
thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can buy digital 0 to 240 volt AC Meters on Amazon: Here

andone of many 12 volt DC gauges.

Or if you want to measure amps and voltage directly, then
Try this.

The problem with the factory volt meter on the AC panel, is that it is under the dinette, and difficult to see in most of the boats.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
tomherrick
Guest





PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This investigation is two-fold: soonest for Laura Lee's West Wight Potter 19 to get it on the water for a week with marina stays, but also for a longer-term understanding of what I'll do for my Frankenstein 28' C-Dory "Classic"...

I'll check out your links in the morning, Bob.

Lots to learn...
Back to top
Robert H. Wilkinson



Joined: 26 Jan 2011
Posts: 1231
City/Region: Port Ryerse
State or Province: ON
Vessel Name: Romakeme IV
Photos: Romakeme IV
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tomherrick wrote:
I wonder if the digital models have an alarm that can be activated below a user-determined setting...


Most invertors have a low voltage cut-out or alarm so I would imagine something could be rigged up for the a/c side as well.

At our campground there was an electrician that would build you some kind of transformer setup to rectify low voltage problems in certain areas of the park. I'm wondering if the isolation transformer used on boats solves this problem??

If you are wiring up your own voltmeter for the dc side wire it to your ignition or put a switch on it as they do draw constant power.

Regards, Rob

_________________
Talk to me and I will listen-- but if its not about boats or fishing all I will hear is bla,bla,bla,yada,yada,zzzzzzzz
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are step up transformers, but the current available is going to be less overall. The standard isolation transformers do not do this.

The Hughes Autotransformer is one which is used in RV's. (about $400) When voltage drops below 117 Volts, the voltage is stepped up a fixed 10%. However, since this uses more current, the total available current for other boats/RV's drops, as does their voltage drop further...thus many campgrounds "outlaw" this.

Charles makes a 50 amp 240 volt isolation transformer, which gives a 15% boost if the voltage drops below 210Volts. ($1200) There used to be a 30 amp 120 Volt AC model--but I cannot find this listed in any current sites. There may be used ones around.

Here is a circuit on U tube which alarms at 100 V AC. Modification could change it to what ever voltage you wanted. What this seems to do is to rectify the 110V AC to DC, and then use a fairly standard circuit for DC voltage protection. This might be done using other 110 v' rectifier with clean DC (not pulsed) and a DC voltage alarm, but would have to be calibrated..

A Macromatic VAKP120A under/over voltage relay could be fairly easily repurposed to make an alarm--total cost probably in $100 range.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electrical and Wiring All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.0952s (PHP: 79% - SQL: 21%) - SQL queries: 24 - GZIP disabled - Debug on