I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.

On Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:47:45 -0400,
wrote:

I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.

The concern might be when both A/Cs start at the same time (like after
a power hit)
Compressors usually have a time delay relay. Be sure the time is
different.

On 10/15/2015 10:47 AM, wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


I've had problems here in the states with GFI protected circuits when
they power components that use switching power supply designs like
many inverters/battery chargers. GFI's just don't like them and
trip needlessly and often.

wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.

On 10/15/2015 12:41 PM, Califbill wrote:
wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.



How do you get 10 kva or even 5 kva out of a 3kw generator?

On 10/15/15 5:16 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/15/2015 12:41 PM, Califbill wrote:
wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg


It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.



How do you get 10 kva or even 5 kva out of a 3kw generator?


With a flux capacitor from eBay, of course. Thought you were a
scientist!

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/15/2015 12:41 PM, Califbill wrote:
wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.



How do you get 10 kva or even 5 kva out of a 3kw generator?



I was referring to physical size. Even with gas motor, whole unit is not
big, or heavy. Do not know how much cooling required if you put an
inverter in the unit for 10 kva.

Keyser Söze wrote:
On 10/15/15 5:16 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 10/15/2015 12:41 PM, Califbill wrote:
wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg


It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.



How do you get 10 kva or even 5 kva out of a 3kw generator?


With a flux capacitor from eBay, of course. Thought you were a
scientist!


Flux capacitor gives time storage, not power storage.

On Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:41:32 -0700, Califbill billnews wrote:

wrote:
I've been looking for a suitable isolation transformer to solve the
pesky shore power issues with marinas in Caribbean ports. Typically
they offer 240 volt power with no neutral center tap, 50 Hz of course.
We also run into docks with overly sensitive ground fault interrupters
(GFIs). An isolation transformer can potentially solve both of those
problems. I just scored one like this on EBAY for $125:

http://www.zoro.com/acme-electric-export-transformer-5kva-120240v-wall-tf279263s/i/G2913784/?gclid=CNSH0ZvYxMgCFUqRHwodo9oBhg

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.

A VFD might be a better solution than that kludge but the transformer
is reliable and simple.

On Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:37:11 -0400, wrote:

It's good for 5 KVA which should be enough for one or two zones of air
conditioning plus the battery chargers and water heater. I'll build a
water tight box out of starboard and put US style 50 amp in/out
connectors on it. With some suitable pig tail adapters it should be
good for just about anywhere. A 10 KVA transformer would be better
but weight, size and cost issues are prohibitive.


Seeing how small a Honda 3KW generator is, maybe you could get a small
240/50 motor and drive a 10kva alternator giving out 120/60. Might be
smaller and lighter overall.

A VFD might be a better solution than that kludge but the transformer
is reliable and simple.

===

A 3 KW on deck generator would not cut the mustard and would get us
tossed off the dock in no time at all. Even our relatively quiet
water cooled generators sound noisy at a marina, and they are also
noisy for sleeping.

Just about everything on the boat will run from 50 Hz power so
frequency is not really the issue.