Electrical mystery on my new-to-me 2007 Lagoon 380 S2

[BrettB]

I finally made it out to my new-to-me 2007 Lagoon 380 that I recently purchased and while trying to figure out why the air conditioners didn't really work well, we discovered that despite being a 220V/50Hz boat, including the air conditioners and water heaters, for some reason the boat has a 125V/30A shore power inlet(with blue, brown, green/yellow wires). Boat was then connected to shore via a 220V/50A to 125V/30A adapter.

Not sure what's going on. I'm hoping it is as simple as replacing the inlet with 220V/50A. What all should I look for to know if this is the right call?

Thanks!

[toddster8]

Makes my head hurt trying to picture that. Get in there with a voltmeter and figure out whats what.

[svlamorocha]

I infer from your post that in the field of electricity you know enough to be dangerous. I suggest you consider hiring an electrician.

Done with the warnings, let's look at the facts....

If you want the best help from the forum tell us where in the world you are anf send photos of the aircons ID plate and the shorepower outlet at the dock.

[svlamorocha]

By the way, the colors of the wires are European colors. I suspect they have changed the male plug to connect to US-style marinas in the Caribbean to charge batteries with a charger that will take 120 or 240V (but not connect aircons!)

[svlamorocha]

It will help if you send us a photo of the ID plate if the battery charger.

[boatbod]

It's not unusual for European vessels moved to the States to have a secondary 110vac shore inlet to power a charger and/or outlets.

Take care to understand exactly what you've got connected to what, before you increase the voltage at the inlet.

[Scorpius]

Sounds high risk to me. European and NA grounding standards are completely different. Boats have been known to burn to the waterline when the owners have simply connected a European wired 220V system to a NA 240V system.

[foufou]

Seems somewhat obvious that if you feed a 220/240 V appliance only 115V it just wont work. All the ground issues aside. The 50 cycle appliance likely will not mind the 60 cycle power but the voltage has to be up to snuff. Some marinas will have 220/240V service but probably not that many. The mega yacht docks might have what you need. F

[stevo_002]

Seems to me that you should keep in mind that the typical provision of 220VAC in North America consists of two hot legs of 110V each (4 wires -hot, hot, neutral and ground) whereas the European 220VAV is one hot leg with 220VAC (3 wires - hot neutral and ground).
A step-up transformer and dedicating some circuits to 220VAC seems more appropriate.

[belizesailor]

As others have suggested, you are missing something here and getting it wrong could be ugly.

I would trace and diagram the system first.

Maybe there is a step up transformer installed just after the shore power plug?

[Cadence]

I have to agree with those suggesting a professional. It sounds like a jury rig?

[Toys_with_time]

On my cat, also French, the battery charger is a dual voltage 240 / 115 unit so I assumed when I get to USA I will disconnect the feed to the 240v switchboard (I have already installed a double pole double throw switch) and just charge the batteries using my inverter for 240v power requirements. I will need to change the shore plug to a US type and haven't investigated if I have to change connections in the battery charger in which case I will probably add a separate 115v inlet socket on board as well and hard wire it back to the charger as I would never be connecting both simultaneously.

Possible your boat is set up in a similar way. My charger is a Dolphin brand from memory.

TwT

[donradcliffe]

It all depends on where you are trying to plug in now and in the future. You are going to need to learn a lot about the differences between European and US electrical systems. If you're not able/willing to learn, its probably time to bring in a good electrician.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

It all depends on where you are trying to plug in now and in the future. You are going to need to learn a lot about the differences between European and US electrical systems. If you're not able/willing to learn, its probably time to bring in a good electrician.

Good observations.

For the OP: there have been a number of recent posts in this Electrical section on 220V and 120V. One of the more recent ones has a link in one of the replies to another earlier discussion. Both are worth finding and reading.

Good luck, but in this case, luck should have nothing to do with it.

[BrettB]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice so far. I'll grab some photos of each step in the system once it is light out. I've also email Lagoon asking for a wiring diagram.

Will also read up on the other threads.