15 AMP SERVICE VERSUS 30

[canuck]

We have a Charles 30 amp charger on the boat. Present marina provides 30 amp service. We are looking to move to a much nicer facility but will have only a 15 amp service. What would be the drawbacks to this 15 amp service? Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Ken Juul]

According to the wiring diagrams in the manual the water heater is on a 20 amp breaker.  The 15 amp service may not be enough to use the water heater.  Other than that, you might have to be judicious in your use of A/C equipment.  Turn the battery charger off before using the microwave, etc.  If you are using a reverse cycle heater, there will probably not be enough juice to run it.

[Ted Pounds]

Your 30 amp charger is not a player.  That 30 amps that the charger puts out is at 12 volts (actually about 14 volts).   At the 110 volt input it's only drawing about 4 amps or so.  I agree with Ken though; you may have issues running your water heater  and other stuff.  However, the worst that could happen is you'll trip the breaker on the dock and have to turn some stuff off and reset it.

[Stu Jackson]

Do the Math:

watts = amps X volts

120 V X 15 amp service = 1800 watts

Hot water heater is 1500 watts divided by 120 V = 12.5 amps

Charger is 4 amps

Total is 16.5 amps which exceeds the 15 A service.

Turn charger off before turning water heater on.

BTW, the water heater will heat up the water in about 20 minutes, so you can turn it off after that, in fact, keep it off more often than not.

Of course, you'll also need an adapter for your 30 A power cord to plug into the dock receptacle.

[Ron Hill]

Can : In layman terms what Stu has said is that with a 15amp service you will only be able to turn on ONE appliance (that has a heating element) - at a time!!