BREAKING GROUND
SHOCKING REVELATION
Heads & point source inverters
In this instance breaking ground is not establishing new digs to build MOG boats (would be nice to be that popular). Instead, the ground we are breaking is electrocution from a boat into the water. If all the electrics of 100 to 250 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) of a boat are properly grounded, no harm should come to swimmers next to the boat. "Should" is the operative word that has led to a number of very quiet deaths. Alternating Current kills. Low voltage Direct Current (12 to 24 VDC) does not. The main reason for no swimming in marinas is the plausibility of electrocution from improper electrical grounds at dock and boats.
The key to this safety stance is there are no through hull fixtures below the boat's water line. Furthermore, there are no metallic bonded elements in the water that could carry the grounding of 120 to 250 VAC devices. The boat is electrically isolated from the surrounding water. Electric motors for the boat are 24 VDC outboards, having no possible connection to the 120 VAC inverters to be used.
Our premiss is that such amounts of AC electrical lethality must be nowhere near the water, as when bonding grounds to bronze through hulls, rudders, struts and propellers. If some unforeseen metallic object or result of corrosion creates a pathway of AC current to the bonded ground elements, people near the boat and in the water can be in danger. There are now so many TVs, hair dryers, kitchen appliances and communications that are 12/24 Volts Direct Current (VDC), little reason is left to run standard 120 VAC throughout the whole boat.
As an interim precaution, we are removing the entire 120/240 VAC system. Replacement is with a 24 VDC bus, off of which about four special plug/outlets will be placed at such common work stations as head/shower, galley, forward console and aft salon. At those special outlets, can be positioned full sign inverters for 120 VAC to plug into the 24 VDC outlet. If a 120 VAC device is needed, its ground is at the inverter and no where near sea water. The inverters will be load matched for the area of use. Hair dryers will be 24 VDC and not the standard 120 VAC, just in case you wondered.
The microwave range is wired directly to its own full sine inverter, galley top induction plate and kitchen appliances not yet 24 volts will be plugged into a smaller full sign inverter at the counter. Another inverter plugged into a 24 VDC outlet will be at the forward console. Full sine inverters mimic the full sine wave electricity as used in American households powering sensitive electronics.
All our inverters are full sine wave because they are now very inexpensive, small, light and stow easily. They vary from 80 watts for computer/phone charging, 300 watts for TV and to 1500 for cooking/ air conditioning and non battery power tools, etc. This all works well for our Totally Electric Powered Solar (TEPS)tm boat of about 40 feet.
Most importantly, we are attuned to the new lifestyle until all devices are purchasable at 24 VDC. Part of that lifestyle is being aware that one does not run several high wattage appliances at the same time, such as air conditioning while operating a dual induction stove cook top.
One large item that consumed 140 watts of 120 VAC is the Sunmar Electric Mobile composting commode. After years of use it has had both its 12 VDC and 120 VAC electric heaters replaced with custom 24 VDC units that are circuit breaker wired to the new 24 volt system. Other modifications were made that permit two people to use it on a daily basis without overloading the composting ability or producing problems storing liquid overage in the compost digester.
Although the composting head is aboard the boat, it will be under test for at least a year. There are a number of electronic elements that will need to be programmed, making a visit to the head a double entandre. Thinking a head.
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| Swiss type outlet to be used in MOG boat for 24 VDC into full Sine wave inverters. |
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| Swiss matching plug for 24 VDC input lines of full sine wave inverters to lower the risk of 120 VAC injury. |
The key to this safety stance is there are no through hull fixtures below the boat's water line. Furthermore, there are no metallic bonded elements in the water that could carry the grounding of 120 to 250 VAC devices. The boat is electrically isolated from the surrounding water. Electric motors for the boat are 24 VDC outboards, having no possible connection to the 120 VAC inverters to be used.
Our premiss is that such amounts of AC electrical lethality must be nowhere near the water, as when bonding grounds to bronze through hulls, rudders, struts and propellers. If some unforeseen metallic object or result of corrosion creates a pathway of AC current to the bonded ground elements, people near the boat and in the water can be in danger. There are now so many TVs, hair dryers, kitchen appliances and communications that are 12/24 Volts Direct Current (VDC), little reason is left to run standard 120 VAC throughout the whole boat.
As an interim precaution, we are removing the entire 120/240 VAC system. Replacement is with a 24 VDC bus, off of which about four special plug/outlets will be placed at such common work stations as head/shower, galley, forward console and aft salon. At those special outlets, can be positioned full sign inverters for 120 VAC to plug into the 24 VDC outlet. If a 120 VAC device is needed, its ground is at the inverter and no where near sea water. The inverters will be load matched for the area of use. Hair dryers will be 24 VDC and not the standard 120 VAC, just in case you wondered.
The microwave range is wired directly to its own full sine inverter, galley top induction plate and kitchen appliances not yet 24 volts will be plugged into a smaller full sign inverter at the counter. Another inverter plugged into a 24 VDC outlet will be at the forward console. Full sine inverters mimic the full sine wave electricity as used in American households powering sensitive electronics.
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| Four different power levels from 300 to 3,500 watts. These full sine wave inverters would have cost in the thousands of dollars just 5 to 10 years ago. |
All our inverters are full sine wave because they are now very inexpensive, small, light and stow easily. They vary from 80 watts for computer/phone charging, 300 watts for TV and to 1500 for cooking/ air conditioning and non battery power tools, etc. This all works well for our Totally Electric Powered Solar (TEPS)tm boat of about 40 feet.
Most importantly, we are attuned to the new lifestyle until all devices are purchasable at 24 VDC. Part of that lifestyle is being aware that one does not run several high wattage appliances at the same time, such as air conditioning while operating a dual induction stove cook top.
One large item that consumed 140 watts of 120 VAC is the Sunmar Electric Mobile composting commode. After years of use it has had both its 12 VDC and 120 VAC electric heaters replaced with custom 24 VDC units that are circuit breaker wired to the new 24 volt system. Other modifications were made that permit two people to use it on a daily basis without overloading the composting ability or producing problems storing liquid overage in the compost digester.
Although the composting head is aboard the boat, it will be under test for at least a year. There are a number of electronic elements that will need to be programmed, making a visit to the head a double entandre. Thinking a head.
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| Settled back in place for reconnection and tests the upgraded Sunmar single user composting commode should now accommodate 2 persons full time. A 24 VDC coupling is seen at lower left. |
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| Various control elements allow on the fly test & evaluation in place. In this top view can be seen a 2 x 3 inch vertical PVC pipe that removes air from within the top portion of the commode to be filtered through a mixture of activated charcoal and zeolite, removing any remaining odors within the composting drum.
We have more to tell but this is where we are in the quest to disconnect from the ground and shove off into the water.
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