Advice on New 110 Volt Boat Build in Europe:Converting and Inverting

[EdenRose]

We are buying a boat that is being built in Europe. We are going to use the boat in the US after sailing for a year or two in Europe. We are having the boat built to US 110 Volt standards as the boat will live most of its life in US and may even have to be shipped here after no use in Europe if the virus limits travel for much longer. I am sure these are common questions on Europe boats destined for the US>

1. We want most of the AC outlets at 110 volt with maybe one or two 220 volt outlets for use with small items we need to buy and use while in Europe.
2. Galley is mix of Propane and 110 volt electric.
3. DC system is mostly 24 volt with 12 volt starting bank.
4. There is a generator to be installed
5. We will have lithium batteries
6. We will have a small washer dryer..if US version its 110 volt 15 amp.
7 We will have a microwave/convection oven...110 volt 10-15 amps.

We have two main questions. I have very good understanding of 12 volt dc systems but inverting and converting not so much so please explain in some easy to understand ways.

1. We are finding that 110 volt appliances are near impossible to get in Europe and shipping importing them from US is very expensive. How can we invert/convert to use 220 volt Euro appliances with the thought that once in the US any replacements would then be 110 volt?
2. What is the best way to use 220 volt dock power for the time we are cruising in Europe but have the main boat systems eventually be 110 volt input from dock?

One option may be setup wiring/plumbing for washer/dryer and not install to later in the US. There is some risk of shipping an appliance to europe, having it damaged or not work and then have to do that all over. Too bad because the best of the combo waher dryers are made in Europe but they will not make the 110 volt versions available to dealers in Europe...US export only.

Thank you in advance.
Eden Rose

[Coolerking]

I would wire the boat and fit it out based on its final destination, buy a step down transformer use it in europe until you get to the states then sell it.
There are lots of cheap ones out there...don't waste your time with any of them, buy a real one that can handle continuous high amp loads.

[EdenRose]

Originally Posted by Coolerking

I would wire the boat and fit it out based on its final destination, buy a step down transformer use it in europe until you get to the states then sell it.
There are lots of cheap ones out there...don't waste your time with any of them, buy a real one that can handle continuous high amp loads.

Thank you.

[CharlieJ]

Caution: Transformers are frequency sensitive so make sure you purchase one that can operate with either 50Hz or 60Hz.

[EdenRose]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

Caution: Transformers are frequency sensitive so make sure you purchase one that can operate with either 50Hz or 60Hz.

I assume you mean the dockside transforming from 220 50HZ to
110 volt 60hz. That will be supplied by the builder who would be
thinking of that.

[tkeithlu]

A transformer won't change the frequency of the AC, but the advice holds: Convert shore power to 110v at the dock, build the boat for 110. A synchronous clock will run slow, but who uses them anymore?

There's a substantial advantage to setting DC to 12v throughout.