Boost Transformer

[MicroKap]

I currently have my transformer set up with boost switches. It has been working like a champ since last year. While on the boat at the end of last week, I noticed that the voltage in either direction now shows 208 volts on the meters. What could have changed?

 

[REBrueckner]

So your voltage aboard has dropped unexpectedly? Was the earlier value around 220 volts?

First thing I'd do is check the voltage dockside with a voltmeter, then ask your marina operator if any electrical changes were made ashore....and verify the voltage they think they are providing to your slip is what you measure.....or have the Marina measure your dockside voltage while you observe....

Things that might depress your voltage aboard is a heavy load...like engine block heaters or maybe air conditioning when either are cycled on....or a neighbor pulling a large amount of power from the same line source for some reason...

 

[MicroKap]

My volt meters onboard are reading 208 regardless of "boost" or non-boost setting. I could understand if there was a drop on the dock that my boost would get it up to 208 volts, but that is not the case. During the winter, the dock was submerged in salt water several times and there was a point where the electric on my circuit was interrupted. Three stanctions down from me showed burnt wire insulation and tripped the main breaker for our section of the dock. That stantion is on the same main breaker as my stantion.

 

[luckydave215]

I won't be surprised to hear you find low voltage on the pedestal. Buck-boost transformers (or any transformer) changes the output voltage by a percentage of the input value.
Here's the scenario I envision:
"Damn, that dead short when the dock went under blew out that tab/leg of the main transformer and a new one is fkin expensive! That cheap bastard marina owner will never pay for a new one....
Let's just reconnect the damn thing on the lower voltage tab, the clowns on the boats will never know the difference, all they do is sit on 'em and get drunk anyway"

 

[MicroKap]

LuckyDave, thanks for the reply. Now, can you dumb it down for me so I know what to check and who to ask? Would voltage onboard show 208 unboosted as well as boosted? I know that the boost drops the usable amps, but not sure how onboard voltage meter would still show the same volts.

 

[luckydave215]

Measure the voltage at the pedestal with no load (boat unplugged) and with load (boat plugged in and drawing typical load).
The number shouldn't change by more than a couple volts, if it does there's a problem with the marina's side of things (most likely a high resistance connection somewhere between your pedestal and the power utility).
If that checks out OK, measure the voltage drop across your power cord/connections, that's the next most likely culprit.
If that checks out OK, check the input voltage from your input socket to your boost transformers.
If that checks out OK, try switching the boost level on the transformers.
If everything's OK up to that point and switching your boost transformer makes no difference in output voltage......check the switch.

 

[MicroKap]

Thank you. I'll check it out when I get down there after work tomorrow.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Larry,
Do you have both transformers set up for boost? If so, do both of them do the same thing? If you are not seeing any voltage boost on either transformer, I doubt it is anything wrong on the boat. What are the odds of both transformers or both switches malfunctioning?

 

[stilespb]

208 volts is a fairly common voltage at marinas. May be nothing is wrong.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

208 volts is a fairly common voltage at marinas. May be nothing is wrong.

That is the point. He was boosting the 208 to 230 with his transformers, but they are no longer showing any boost. Your 1972 model did not come equipped with isolation transformers, but Larry's boat did. His are configured with a switch to boost his voltage when he encounters a dock with 208.

 

[Walter P]

Larry,

Sorry to hear about your problem. I have a nifty portable boost transformer that I bought from you about a month ago that solved my problem. No, it is not for sale - lol - but if you would like, I plan to be at the boat most of the time between now and next tuesday, so we can take it over to your dock and give it a try. If you need a highly qualified certified marine electrician, call Keith over at Oceanport Landing.

Since it was working fine for all these years maybe lady luck will show up a simple fix like a blown fuse. You might also want to call Roger Wetherington for his input. I'll bet he can tell you right over the phone what to do.

Walt

 

[MicroKap]

Walt,
I'm going down to the boat after work today. I called Roger W. yesterday and he said that I should check for a loose connection in the transformer (after I unplug the cords from the dock). I'll give you a call later so we can get together over the weekend.