Electrical - Power Systems
Dock Boost Transformers
Not all dock power is created equal. In fact, its very common that the power at the slip you’re in is over-distributed, unstable and noisy. The result from ‘dirty’ or insufficient power is potential damage to your boat’s electrical system. Especially in older marinas. The solution is a Dock Boost Transformer from ASEA Power Systems. Watch this short video then give IMS a call to discuss adding a DBT to your boat’s electrical system. You’ll be glad you did.
The Dock Boost Transformer (DBT) provides precision voltage regulation to the vessel, delivering complete protection from the most common shore power problems, including: brownouts, spikes, sags, and low-line or high-line voltage conditions from the dock power pedestal. The DBT also provides Three levels of boost to keep your ship powered even when input voltages sag by 35%. The DBT12/15 accepts any input voltage ranging from 167 V-270 V (47-70 Hz) and provides a Split phase 120/240V or 115/230 V output nominal. The DBT24 accepts nominal voltages of 230, 400V and 480V - each with the same wide range – to provide a 115/230V Split phase output.
Your boat’s electrical system is the most important ‘system’ on your boat. If it’s unreliable or in poor condition, the risk of problems, failures and even fires is high! This is a subject you cannot take lightly. Your engines may not start if your electrical system is broken or unreliable.
IMS offers full design/build electrical services to our customers and does it with the best names in AC and DC electrical systems and components. Charging systems, inverters, shore power converters and Dock-boost transformers are the most required electrical upgrades we install. See below for a brief summary of the main categories we specialize in and the brands we install.
Inverters
A marine inverter is a device that takes DC power stored in your boat’s battery bank and converts it to AC power to run AC devices such as appliances, TV’s and other household items on your boat when not connected to shore power or running a generator. This is a great convenience when your boat is moored or anchored, shore power is unavailable AND you can’t run your generator.
Inverters come in many sizes and capacities to meet a variety of needs, however installing one requires precision system design and installation. This usually begins with a simple requirements/needs analysis of what AC devices you wish to use on inverted power. Once that ‘load’ is determined, only then can you determine what capacity inverter (in output wattage) will meet that requirement AND what the configuration of the DC battery bank will be (in size and amp hours).
Other topics to consider are whether you need an inverter/charger (charges the battery bank it draws DC power from when not inverting), an automatic transfer switch and if you’d like to have onboard or remote diagnostics available to you on installed monitors and smartphones.
IMS can evaluate all your AC power needs and determine these requirements quickly by visiting your boat and asking you some basic questions. From that session, we will deliver a custom proposal to you that meets your needs and provides some options for you to consider. Equipment brands we use in this category are ASEA, Victron Energy, Mastervolt, Xantrex and Quick.
Shore Power Converters
For customers who may own or will purchase a boat from outside the US, a shore power frequency converter may be a requirement. And if you are a world cruiser, you need to be prepared for any shore power condition that awaits you in the next port or marina.
Shore power frequency converters typically accept any input frequency from 40 Hz to 440 Hz, any voltage from 110V to 520V, any input form Single and/or Three Phase (European and American standards) and convert it to the proper voltage, phase and frequency your boat needs. So, no matter where your travels take you, having a universal shore power frequency converter on board gives you the peace of mind knowing that your boat can be assured of stable, managed power keeping your expensive electronics, appliances and other devices happy and your enjoyment of them uninterrupted.