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30A to 50A changeover

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by GFC, Mar 13, 2010.

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  1. geriksen

    geriksen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
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    Location:
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    It's very simple, just look at the plugs coming out of the boat. It will say right on them what they are. It sill say "50/125", or "250/125, 50" Most Sea Ray's that size use a single 250, 50. My 500 Sea Ray uses a singe 220volt 50amp to run the whole boat. Another thing you can do is to take a look at one of the A/C units and see if it says 220volt on it. Also, your shore power panel should differentiate 220 and 110 systems.
    This is not as confusing as it sounds. If you look at the ends of the plug on your cords, the answer is right there.
    If your A/C's run on 220, the twin 30 Y adapter will not work to run the whole boat. The marina will need to get 220 to the dock if that is the case.
  2. GFC

    GFC Senior Member

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    May 21, 2008
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    Location:
    Tri Cities, WA
    I should know the answers to my questions tomorrow. I talked with the surveyor today and asked him to specifically check on that when he does the survey tomorrow. He'll give me a call to discuss the results of the survey and let me know.

    All of you will be the first ones I tell.
  3. GFC

    GFC Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2008
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    221
    Location:
    Tri Cities, WA
    From the surveyor's report......

    One 50 Amp at 240 VAC and one 50 Amp at 120 VAC

    I've already contacted the marina via email to let them know I would need 50A service. No word back from them on what their plans are.
  4. geriksen

    geriksen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
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    175
    Location:
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    You will need to figure out if your A/C units run on 240. If they do you will have no A/C with a 50 120 only at the dock.

    The shore power panel should also tell you if you have a 240 bank and what is on it. You really don't have enough info yet for the Marina to do the right thing unless they can get you both.
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You can plug a 50amp 120VAC into a 30amp 120VAC with an adapter with no ill effects as long as you don't use more then 30amps on the boat and do not try to run any 240vac appliances. But as long as you keep you're 120VAC load under 30 amps you will be fine.
  6. geriksen

    geriksen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
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    175
    Location:
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    Correct
    but the 50/240 is another story....
    if there is no 220 on the dock no adapter will make that one work.
    He could do as you suggest and light up the house and maybe the battery chargers by adapting the 110 side up from a 30, but most boats with 220 will have the A/C units, stove, and water heater on the 220 side so those will not work .

    Someone may have modified this boat and it may be different but I have personally owned several Sea Ray's in this size range and they all have had 220volt A/C systems (which actually work much better than the 110volt versions). Maybe his surveyor or broker can tell us about the A/C units.
  7. GFC

    GFC Senior Member

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    Location:
    Tri Cities, WA
    It seems there may be an easy fix to this problem. I spoke with the marina administration today and found that when the marina was built there were a limited number of slips (mine included) that were provided with 50A/220V power to the terminals.

    Now it's just a matter of making sure my male connector on the shore power cord matches up with the female connector on the shore power terminal. :D

    When I sea trial the boat on 4/2 I'll take a photo of the 50A/220V connector and see if it will mate up to the female connector.
  8. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    That makes more sense. Sounds like you're all set. You should have no problem with the match up. You'll see 2 L legs and corresponding slots on the outlet. Enjoy the summer.:)
  9. yachts4fun

    yachts4fun New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
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    Location:
    Jacksonville Fl.
    Is it 220volt or 125 volt?

    Just look at the male plug from your boat, if the male plugs has the legs with two dog legs it is 220 volt. If it has two plain legs and one dog leg it is 50 amp 125 volt. Then decied what you want to do.