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DISCOVERY OPERATING MANUAL
NW Explorations
Just as in the case of the DC panel, the AC panel has some circuit breakers which are also switches:
BREAKER
USE
BREAKER
USE
Outlets (2)
B
To Outlets
Dryer
B
To dryer
Icemaker
B
To Icemaker
Washer
B
To washer
Microwave
B
To Microwave Outlet
F.B.Fridge
B
(unused)
Fridge
B
To Refrig. & Freezer
thermostats
PILOT LIGHTS
Water Heater
B
To W.H. Thermostat
Water Heater On
If lit: water heater is on
Battery Charger
B
To Battery Charger
AC Supp. On
If lit:AC is to the switch panel
Water maker
B
Watermaker
Reverse Polarity
If lit: SEE BELOW AT ONCE!
Spare*
B
Nav. Computer Power
If the Reverse Polarity Light lights, it indicates that the shore power supply is mis-wired, a very dangerous (but for-
tunately, rare) condition that could lead to an electrical shock, and will damage the boat’s underwater running gear
through the phenomenon known as electrolysis. You should remove the shore power cable immediately if this occurs
and advise the marina’s officials at once!
*The “Spare” Breaker was to be re-placarded, this label may not agree with the actual placard.
Connecting/Disconnecting Shore Power
The large AC shore power selector switch on the AC circuit breaker panel is used to determine the source of AC power for
the boat. This switch should be left “OFF” whenever you are connecting or disconnecting the boat to shore. This is true
so that you do not draw an arc from the plug due to the load of the boat on the connector’s pins: such an arc will burn
the contacts and eventually cause them to overheat when in use, creating a fire hazard.
Once connected to shore power, monitor the AC voltmeter and ammeter to be sure you have not overloaded the circuit.
Important Note: If the inverter batteries are low when you first hook up to shore power, and the inverter is turned on
(as it should be), the inverter will begin charging its batteries at a very high charging rate, drawing a lot of shore pow-
er current. Until this demand reduces (see “The Inverter System” below), you should turn “OFF” other high-current AC
appliances such as the water heater.
You can then turn on AC appliances as needed. Watch the ammeter to be sure you don’t exceed the dock’s available
supply, typically 30 amps.
Here are some estimates of AC power consumption for typical appliances:
Water Heater
15 amps
Inverter
up to 22 amps
Hair Dryer
12 amps
TV
1.5 amps
Coffee maker
10 amps
Microwave
10 amps