How do I operate bilge Pump or lights via shore power?

[tuuka]

I have a 1983 Hunter Legend 28.5. I have shore power plugged in but cannot operate the bilge pump or lights. Power is connected to the boat and can confirm connection through the test lamp. Is the boat wired so they battery and shore power operate separate units of the boat, or can the shore power operate all? What I am asking is if there is a switch so the shore power operates the lights and bilge pump? I’ve turned the AC switch to on and no bilge. I’ve had the boat on a ball for three years and never used shore power.

[Dsanduril]

You bilge pumps and lights run only on 12VDC from the battery, so you will have to have the battery switch on and 12VDC available in order to run those items.

With shore power connected you turn on the battery charger (that is connected to shore power), that keeps the batteries topped up while you run the things on the 12V side. There may be a few shore power lights that you can also run (depends on who installed what), but these would be separate lights from your normal 12V lights.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

You bilge pumps and lights run only on 12VDC from the battery, so you will have to have the battery switch on and 12VDC available in order to run those items.

With shore power connected you turn on the battery charger (that is connected to shore power), that keeps the batteries topped up while you run the things on the 12V side. There may be a few shore power lights that you can also run (depends on who installed what), but these would be separate lights from your normal 12V lights.

Yep, what he said.

[Blue Stocking]

-- and if the boat does, by some chance, have some 120VAC lites, they will be on a separate breaker on the AC panel.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

-- and if the boat does, by some chance, have some 120VAC lites, they will be on a separate breaker on the AC panel.

Wouldn't bet on it. Who knows who wired what and how.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Wouldn't bet on it. Who knows who wired what and how.

Thanks boatpoker " should " be on a separate breaker

[reed1v]

Yup, usually just operate off battery with your charger on. You could install a separate system that steps down the 120 to 12v for the electronics so you would not need to run the charger, but why? Most modern chargers automatically taper and stop charging when batteries are at their max.

[fdr14127]

Of course the advantage of having the bilge pump operate off the 12v system, is that it will continue to service until the battery runs out, even tho the shore power gets turned off due to a thunder storm or some dweeb on the dock plugging in his cord and throwing the breaker. On my boat the inverter serves as a battery charger, isolation transformer, when plugged into shore power. One of the best aftermarket installs I ever made.

[knockabout]

for 18 years solar power has been fine/ battery charger bolted in a dry normally unused space serves as marina power adapter .
on the rare occasion the luxury of shore power usually ends up
the boat puts power back into the grid/ lights and pumps work
the same as usual.
have to bucket water into the bilge to test the pump switches
growl at the first mate to turn the tv off

[tuuka]

Can anyone tell me what this red switch is for?

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by tuuka

Can anyone tell me what this red switch is for?

Not without being at your boat.

[Outwest34au]

[QUOTE=tuuka;2115546]Can anyone tell me what this red switch is for?


I would unscrew the fascia panel and see if it has a wire connected to it. If so, trace the wire to the object it powers.

[Cheechako]

Many boats are wired with the Bilge Pump direct to a battery.... so that it cant be left switched off accidentally.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Apologies if this is a dumb question - but since you've been on a mooring for a longtime, do you charge your batteries through solar or other means or just through the alternator? What I am really asking is if there is an AC 120 V in battery charger at work once you plug in?

[first wind]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Wouldn't bet on it. Who knows who wired what and how.

and, i'm guessing, like the OP, you also don't know the difference between dc current and ac current?