Westinghouse Transformer

[Stolen Kiss]

I have just bought a Hylas 47 . It has a westinghouse EP transformer fitted. The boat has 2 inputs for power on deck one is marked 110volts the other 240 volts. I come from a 240 volt country. the mains selector switch at the chart table is either 110 or 240. the boat gear is 110. If I put 240 into the deck plug and turn the selector to 240 do we think it will get transformed to 110 or will I likely blow up my 110 volt charger/invertor.
thanks
Peter San Carlos Mexico

[markpj23]

Sounds to me like it will be reduced to 110v. BUT you should check the output side of the transformer to see what it's wired for.... it should have a diagram showing the taps from the secondary windings and their voltage.

[donradcliffe]

There are so many ways that the boat could be wired, it would be best to ask the previous owner, or do a full trace of the wiring, especially that 110/240 switch.

[hellosailor]

Peter, the only safe thing is "eyes and hands", trace out those deck fittings and see where and what they are connected to. It could be that the switch connects your "interface" (charger, invertor, whatever) to 110 or 240 manually, and that all the rest of the ship's systems then run off 110V from that device.

But when you've got a used boat...you never, ever, know what the POs really did, until you chase down the source of the smoke. I wouldn't trust the PO, or any schematics on the boat, until I'd actually verified it. Shouldn't take more than an hour of your time and you'll be able to see if there are proper GFIs and clean contacts there at the same time.

[Stolen Kiss]

thanks one and all
the only markings I can see on the case are"120x240 to 120/240".
although I am a boatbuilder I get worried when dealing with voltage that can hurt me. thanks for your help.
cheers
Peter

[goboatingnow]

sounds like a conventional step down traffo, but check