AC power infrastructure upgrades

The AC system was upgraded in 2024, and it works extremely well.  The AC receptacles are now a single system, seamlessly powered by an extremely smart 1600W inverter/charger supplied by the 430AH LiFePo house bank or by shore power via a 3600W automatic isolation transformer.   The isolation transformer protects both the vessel and its occupants from faulty shore power grounding, and permits the use of any normal primary voltage  while automatically supplying only 220VAC on the secondary side.   I did also installed 800w 125VAC inverter for North American appliances.  As a convenience, I installed a shore-power only 220VAC outlet in the cockpit locker to permit the use of appliances outdoors should it be desired.  The Victron components used are compatible with the Cerbo GX monitoring system, which has helped in commissioning  and in use.   

As purchased Sakura had a relatively new Victron battery charger and the original galvanic isolator as protection against leakage.   The AC receptacles were tarnished brass UK-standard units with some fed by a standalone 350w inverter, and others by shore power only.  Another add-on...

The boat is wired for 220VAC, fused for 10A meaning that the existing AC installation would not support the 15A required for a 115VAC conversion if for some unimaginable reason I had wanted to do that.   

Scope

The objective of this upgrade was to provide a safe reliable and simple-to-use setup with adequate AC capacity to power small 220V and smaller 120VAC appliances when not connected to shore power.  Hassle-free use of either 120 or 240VAC shore power was desired.  High current AC reqirements like fast charging,  air conditioning, induction cooking, or off grid use of powerful corded tools are not in scope.  

AC supply - shore power plus inverters: New in 2023/2024

• 1ea 16A 230VAC twist-lock type shore power inlet.
• 1ea 3600VA autotransformer (isolation  transformer)   This automatically detects primary voltage and will produce 220v on the secondary side.
• 1ea Victron multiplus 1600VA inverter/charger.   This unit provides 70a of battery charging and 1600w @ 220v with numerous related features.
• Victron 800/12/120 inverter.  800W 120VAC  - this is powered directly by  the "house" battery.  For future this may require a dedicated supply and breaker.

The system comprises:

• Hubbell 16A 250Vstainless steel inlet, with its ground contact isolated from the stainless housing.  
• Victron 3600 Watt Auto 115/230 V automatic isolation transformer, supplying a Victron 12/1600/70  1600VA inverter charger.

I chose a relatively small  1600VA inverter due to size constraints and use-case expectations.  12VDC Power is provided by a 430AH LiFePo battery bank, and should allow for the use of most small 220VAC appliances when on battery power only.   

• Victron 12/800 (125VAC) inverter feeding two NEMA type receptacles is located beneath the navigator's seat.
• The Victron devices are monitored by the Victron Cerbo GX.  This is located in the main electrical panel. The GX system is cool and I've only just begun to explore its capabilities.

The pre-existing UK style receptacles were changed to standard Euro configuration,  and the area decluttered.