Basic electrical panel knowledge questions - Please answer as if I were a moron

[nmcafee]

So, we have 2 50 amp shore inputs. The labels at the top of the plugs say Shoreline Number 1 and Shoreline Number 2. I have tested fuses and they are good.







On my panel, I have multiple selectors. I have no clue why my pictures keep showing sideways.

The top dial is Shore Line No 1 on the left, Shore Line No 2 on the right. I believe that I should have the left one on 1 and the right one on 2. However, if you look at the red lights above the top dials you see that selection 1 and 3 are 240V and 2 is 120V.


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Scrolling down, there are the red toggle switches that switch between generator and shore power. This says the left one is Source Line No 1 and the right Source Line No 2.

The bottom dial has me select between Source 1 and Source 2 for each the left and right.

I can only get things working if I have both on Source 1 which leads me to believe that I am just pulling all power from 1 50 amp cable, hence my fuse problems.

Anyone willing to do a facetime to help me solve this problem?

 

[metama]

I was expecting that panel to belong to a larger boat then a 53.
Yes it seems you are pulling both panels from one input.

The Lights on the top. Looks like Line 1 is bright, Line 2, Line 3 is not.
That shows that ether a bulb is out or it doesn't see power on line 2.

That could be either, a breaker (Or fuse but let's ignore that) is off. Or that side of the panel is not selecting the Line 2 input.

Start at the bottom from each side of the panel.

Shore power over Generator x 2
Breakers on for Shore power inputs 1, 2, (3 for good measure), 240 and 120.

Rotary dial selecting the right input cable.
Rotary dial selecting 240V to feed the 120 top panel (This may just be a 53 Hat thing).

Rotary dial selecting the 240 50Amp 1 for side A / 240 50 Amp 2 for side B.

SO you have breakers on for the lines in, the path to the correct Line in's. The 120 V pulling from the 240 (in this case two different 240 cables).

If you post larger photos I will circle the things you need.

AND don't rule out that your pedestal has the breakers on both 240V legs.

Is that a 3 phase system? Would be slightly different.

 

[metama]

Looks like the 54 panels read north to south / vs mine that read south to north.

Also looks like on your shore lines, you have 1-240, 2-120, 3-240.

And your breaker panel doesn't separate 240 and 120 like mine. Instead it put double poles on 240. (interesting, my boat has every output double pole with neutral breaks.)

It also looks like you the boat typically would do something like 240V to Panel 1 and 120 or Panel 2?
In a 3 phase kinda way.

Try something like this. I can't read the bottom rotary.

 

[Dan Mapes]

I am left wondering if distribution panel 2 is 120v only. Are there any double pole breakers in it? How about a photo taken face on instead of looking down at it?

 

[nmcafee]

View attachment 11111.pdfI keep trying to insert pictures but they get flipped. There is a pdf attached, and I have put some straight on shots here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zkzv5tYdp8PDC03MxvDU8i6aPbg4eFTn?usp=sharing

Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[Sadey]

Very strange. There are 240V items on Dist 2. The light on the distribution panel, source panel and meter indicate only 120V available. Does the dryer or salon AC work right now?

 

[nmcafee]

Very strange. There are 240V items on Dist 2. The light on the distribution panel, source panel and meter indicate only 120V available. Does the dryer or salon AC work right now?

Yes, both work.

 

[cww]

Something is wrong, according to your panel you're only getting 120v. Will your cords reach another shore power pedestal that you can plug into and see if that makes a difference and gets you up to 220? This certainly explains why you're blowing fuses if you think you're running on 220 and you're only on 120. If plugging into another pedestal changes things, you need to put in a maintenance request with the marina office. Otherwise you're going to need to look at your transformers.

 

[rwaldrop13]

Something is wrong, according to your panel you're only getting 120v. Will your cords reach another shore power pedestal that you can plug into and see if that makes a difference and gets you up to 220? This certainly explains why you're blowing fuses if you think you're running on 220 and you're only on 120. If plugging into another pedestal changes things, you need to put in a maintenance request with the marina office. Otherwise you're going to need to look at your transformers.

That is almost exactly what led to us calling an electrician in for Pau Hana in 2020 and finding out that not only was my side of our pedestal bad, the other side and the next closest pedestal also were. The harbormaster was not impressed, but I only asked that they fix it, not pay the bill! This particular issue is so far back I can't remember details.

 

[ageless]

check voltage at the pedestal if you can't reach another one. If we're diagnosing off lit bulbs ensure those are operational, as well. Easy to find replacements

 

[Dan Mapes]

At this point, I would shut everything down on the boat and disconnect the shore power lines one at a time. With each line disconnected, check all of the indicators and meters for all of the switch settings. I guess turning the pedestal breaker off one at a time would suffice and be easier.

 

[cww]

If we're diagnosing off lit bulbs ensure those are operational, as well. Easy to find replacements

I don't think it's the bulbs, I went to his google drive folder and blew up the pictures. His panel is different than most of our boats. Instead of voltmeters that you toggle back and forth between lines, his has all separate indicator lights that show whether each plug is getting 240v or 120v. His #1 line is giving him 240v because the light for 240v is lit up and the 120v light is off. On his #2 line the 240v light is off and the 120v light is on. I'm guessing that's the one he's blowing the fuse for. It's not really possible that it's a bad bulb or meter, it's all separate on his boat.

I'm going to throw my $1 bet behind there being a problem with whatever source his #2 line is plugged into.

 

[nmcafee]

We are going to a new marina, will try a new pedistal and update.

Thanks

 

[Dan Mapes]

We are going to a new marina, will try a new pedistal and update.

Thanks

Did you try switching the shore power at the pedestal?

 

[nmcafee]

We did, change to the other side of the pedistal, and switched the shore cables. Same results. Will continue to try different configurations as we move to different marinas.