Buck/Boost Transformer

[Kquaine]

My current dock power is only providing 210VAC instead of 240VAC. From what I hear the voltage gets lower in the dog days of summer due to the added load of all the A/C units running more frequently. Has any one used a buck/boost transformer to boost the ac voltage closer to the 240VAC my power system is expecting? If so how did it work out for you? I don't want the cost and size of a full size isolation transformer to boost the voltage.

Yes - I have raised the concern about the power with marina management team but my requests to fix have fallen on deaf ears. I'm waiting for one of my brand new A/C units to burn up so I can present them with that bill to get their attention.

My power system is 120/240 VAC - 50A.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Your current isolation transformers will boost. You just have to add the switches.

I use mine to boost 15% wherever its necessary. They work great.

 

[Kquaine]

Your current isolation transformers will boost. You just have to add the switches.

I use mine to boost 15% wherever its necessary. They work great.

I was going to pull the cover of the internal iso transformers to see what taps they had. I was gonna guess they might have +/- 2.5% and +/- 5% like the industrial transformers I use. If they have 10 and/or 15% that would be awesome. Adding a power selector switch to bring in different taps is not a big deal.

Thanks for the info. I will look into it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I was going to pull the cover of the internal iso transformers to see what taps they had. I was gonna guess they might have +/- 2.5% and +/- 5% like the industrial transformers I use. If they have 10 and/or 15% that would be awesome. Adding a power selector switch to bring in different taps is not a big deal.

Thanks for the info. I will look into it.

Exactly. Here is the thread from when I did mine:

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/s...ansformer-mod&highlight=isolation+transformer

 

[Kquaine]

Exactly. Here is the thread from when I did mine:

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/s...ansformer-mod&highlight=isolation+transformer

Thank you Sky - I will look this over. Looks promising

 

[Sadey]

I'll have a portable Wards booster for sale shortly. If you want to go that route. Bought from someone here and I'll pass it on for what I paid. I'll have to look how much but I think it was $500

 

[Captain Ralph]

Have you had any real issues thus far?

How low does your 230Vac get?
How low does your 115Vac get.
If you are on a later dock build or updated dock, you may be on a 208Vac service after a WYE service transformer near or on your dock and will never see over 210Vac, Yet 115Vac looks great.
Ask the property manager if you are on 208, Wye or star transformer service.

I fear to many people freak out over this if they do not see 230Volts and make post as these.
Please read the labels on your AC compressors; most rated @200VAc.

Without getting deep, It takes current to run your equipment also.
Please keep in mind; transformers reduce available current to boost voltage. This should be considered before purchasing any transformer.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If you are on a later dock build or updated dock, you may be on a 208Vac service after a WYE service transformer near or on your dock and will never see over 210Vac, Yet 115Vac looks great.
.

Not if he has the OEM transformers. The transformers make each leg 180 degrees out of phase so if 208 across both, then half of that for one, 104v. Its not like 3-phase 208 where each leg is 120 degrees out of phase and you get 120v on one leg.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Without getting deep, It takes current to run your equipment also.
Please keep in mind; transformers reduce available current to boost voltage. This should be considered before purchasing any transformer.

Right but total watts stays the same. IF you were drawing 50 amps at 208v, then boost to 240v you would only have 42 amps available. But your appliances were pulling more amps at 208 than they now do at 240 so the available watts is still the same.

 

[Sadey]

We’re in the process of installing switches to allow boost on our transformers. Our current and former marinas have/had 208 volts which wouldn’t allow us to run some of our ac units. With the portable boost they all function properly. Of course we have to manage power usage with or without the boost. If you go wiring your own transformers, take note of Sky’s warning about boosting unnecessarily, sounds expensive.

 

[JD5652]

We’re in the process of installing switches to allow boost on our transformers. Our current and former marinas have/had 208 volts which wouldn’t allow us to run some of our ac units. With the portable boost they all function properly. Of course we have to manage power usage with or without the boost. If you go wiring your own transformers, take note of Sky’s warning about boosting unnecessarily, sounds expensive.

On my transformers, they came from the factory with switches on the cover panel.

 

[Captain Ralph]

have/had 208 volts which wouldn’t allow us to run some of our ac units. .

The Low AC alarm on SMX panels is adjustable.
A few minutes in the owners manual is easier than worrying about a transformer.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The Low AC alarm on SMX panels is adjustable.
A few minutes in the owners manual is easier than worrying about a transformer.

Or, do it right and get proper voltage to your compressors. There is a reason that the default values in the SMX controls shut down the system.

Low voltage will cause increased heat which is not good for the windings. Performance and efficiency is also decreased with lower voltage. The equipment is already on board. You just need a switch and some short pieces of wire.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Can I ask where these transformers are located?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Can I ask where these transformers are located?

In your boat they are in the generator room aft of the battery boxes on each side

 

[Hat43c1981]

I have the same power issues at our dock that you are referring to. I have a Buck/boost transformer that I use when we are at our home port which is on a pedestal that I made. With no load it brings my incoming voltage to around 225v. Under load with both a/x’s running and the rest of the boats electrical systems working I sit at about 215v. My Cruisair units kept shutting off to do their low voltage alarms so I went the route of a Buck/boost transformer. It has worked great for us. I purchased the same transformer and built a portable “case/stand” that we take with us when we travel so I never have to work about power issues at the dock. I simply connect to shower power, check the volt meter at the panel and use the portable transformer when need be.

 

[Bob Quinn]

I don't know if I understand the situation correctly, please tell me if this is correct:

There are two transformers on the boat. Is one transformer for the port incoming line and one transformer for the starboard incoming line?

"if" that is correct I might wire one side for boost and leave the other alone.... (and skip the addition of switches and the extra cost)

Or is this wishful thinking?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I don't know if I understand the situation correctly, please tell me if this is correct:

There are two transformers on the boat. Is one transformer for the port incoming line and one transformer for the starboard incoming line?

"if" that is correct I might wire one side for boost and leave the other alone.... (and skip the addition of switches and the extra cost)

Or is this wishful thinking?

One transformer is source 1 and one is for source 2. Both sources have inlets on both sides of the boat.