Best solution?

[Gordon B]

Hi to all,
Before I spend money I have a question.
We have a Household small refrigerator, a stove/oven and an A/C unit apparently on the same shore power 30 amp circuit. We have found that you can not run the A/C and the stove/oven at the same time.
I have thought that a dedicated inverter for the refrigerator to remove it from the circuit could solve the problem.
Does this sound at all reasonable?
Is there a better way?

Thanks
Gordo

 

[Shrew]

You need to split the A/C to a dedicated shorepower. Add a second shorepower inlet. Add a second panel with a dedicated main. (unless you can add a second main to your existin panel) Add a circuit for the A/C. Connect the A/C to the new circuit.

What else is running on that circuit Hot Water and battery charger? Stove, fridge, hotwater and battery charger should be able to run on a 30 amp circuit. You could load balance the circuits.

Your best bet is to start by looking at the VAC draw for each item. Calculate the start-up draw from anything with a pump (A/C & Fridge).

 

[greysailor]

Hi to all,
I have thought that a dedicated inverter for the refrigerator to remove it from the circuit could solve the problem.
Does this sound at all reasonable?
Thanks
Gordo

Howdy Gordo,
That won't help with power draw unless you switch off the battery charger....there is no free lunch...the power for the frig through the inverter/battery has to come from somewhere!
Luke

 

[janice142]

Because the two items are causing a problem why not simply use them one at a time? My inverter puts out 1200 watts. The microwave requires 700 watts and the a/c units draws 475 watts. When I want to nuke, I simply put the air conditioner on fan until I done microwaving.

Running the water heater will probably cause problems too when combined with the a/c.
Power management works aboard Seaweed Gordo.

 

[tiltrider1]

A bit more info is needed. At his point I am assuming the stove is electric, there is a hot water heater, A/C, and a few other ac electric needs such as fridge and battery charger.

There are several routes you can take to solve this issue.

1. Bring in 50a 120v shore power. (still not really adequate for your needs)
2. Bring in 50a 120/240v shore power.
3. Add a Trace power manger inverter/charger. (Very cool, expensive, but cool)

 

[tiltrider1]

A power manager combines your 30a 120v power with additional ac voltage created from your house batteries to give you up to 100a 120v power. When the load comes off the power manager recharges the house batteries.

 

[tiltrider1]

You wire the shore power to the trace, then the trace to your ac panel and your house batteries.

 

[FF]

Is there a better way?

The cheapest, easy solution is a load sharing relay.

This when installed in the range feed will shut down the air cond ,while the range is on.

About $60 at grainger plus a quick install.

You might borrow to try an induction cook top for a single burner when needed .

$$ 60 or so in a big box store , if it works.