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3-phase boat-single phase dock? Atlas system.

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by HIBANX, Jun 2, 2014.

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  1. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I would agree that IMTECH are industry leaders in the full package, ATLAS are not far behind though and may have something that suits a smaller yacht better.

    I am however a bit more sceptical over the claim that the former are used on "most" new builds.

    If their order books were so full I would their stock price have tanked so much in the last part of last year?

    There are a lot of new builds going on around the world and there are a lot of PMS and Switchboard builders.
  2. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Cant answer the stock question there K1W1 / Don't follow their financials , For quite a few years they were the go to guys for most of the European yards and your correct, The smaller companies that lets say furnish Amels and Feadship their proprietary PMS designs and switchboards have learned a lot by dissecting Imtech's equipment the last decade or so and have adapted accordingly. Overstated on my part for sure , but I feel Imtech has any American PMS manufacturer covered left right and center. Not "Apples to Apples"
  3. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    They may suggest a rotary converter as the best option to source 3 phase where it is not available on the dock. If I recall correctly, the may even rent them.

    About Frequency Converter
  4. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    NEO56 is asking whats best for a new build so it would make sense for him to build somethingto suit wat he will get where it is most

    The OP is the one trying to get 100A 3 phase from a 120V 10 A outlet:D
  5. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Oops, got them mixed up.

    A rotary converter fed from a 120V 10A supply will be very compact though.

    These guys have an alternative if 220V is available:

    The Range | Boost Energy
  6. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Thank you all for your input, fortunately my builder rep is a very knowledgeable boater, but I will be running our choices by this Forum, just to make sure! As I've mentioned on a previous post, I'm going to set up a website strictly as an educational tool. This is my first new build (and my last) so I want to do this right the first time. The boat is built over in the Pacific Rim, and while I will travel over periodically, I'm going to hire someone at the factory to video most of the build. Just to give everyone the incredible amount of decisions required on a project like this. To be honest, I have a certain level of apprehension about being able to be up for this task, so I will be depending heavily on this Forum. I'm considering a Project Manager to move over to the factory for the entire build. My partners have put the brakes on me, as I'm needed to help run our newly formed company, and I don't have the boat building experience required either.
  7. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Hi K1W1...based on your avatar, you'll be pleased to know we'll be installing Series 18 Cats. That should meet with your approval. Never had Cats before, a good friend of mine down in the Keys thinks Cummins is only engine worth putting into a boat. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. Right?
  8. discokachina

    discokachina Senior Member

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    Please post them on youtube so we can follow along!
  9. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    No...no you tube...this is just for my YF people, and my friends. I would like to keep this somewhat on the down low. We'll do all of our videos on our website.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Cummins is a good engine, but they only make engines up to about 600hp and due to that, are best sized for smaller yachts. Cat doesn't really cater to the sub 400hp crowd very well and their expertise is really 500-1850hp lending them best suited to the medium sized yacht market and displacement speed megayachts.
  11. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    It is actually a 3516 Series II Engines heat exchanger in my Avatar.

    A C18 has a cast alloy header tank and the one in my Avatar is fully welded steel one.

    The C 18 is a great engine as long as you don,t run it at the E Rating 24/7.

    As far as your builders rep goes make sure he is on your side noit the yards or in a brokers pocket so far he cant see your side of the fence.

    Check the credentials of anyone you look to hiring right down to the fine print. By this I mean ask for contact details for anyone who has supposedly written a reference, google the potential employees names and e mail addresses, ask around any contacts you have in the business.

    I see this type of dross regularly and have found ways to grind my way through the cover page to find out the truth behind claims of greatness and suitability for a project.

    Don't be fooled by a fluffed up CV or fake references.
  12. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I suggest you refrain from posting mis leading information and enter Cat Marine Engine application Guide into a search engine.

    You will find that currently you can get a yellow marine engine from 127 to 7600 hp
  13. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Gotta echo K1W1 ...

    Take a look at Cummins 2700 hp QSK60.
  14. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    I want to apologize for getting off subject here, but it seemed to be the proper thread. I'll leave it up to the moderators to decide.

    I have another question, let's assume that once all of the power requirements are added up including the power spike requirement of all the compressors upon start up and let's say they total is 60 kw with everything on, how big of a margin do you add to the generator capacity for a margin of safety? Also in addition to the fin stabilizers, I'm adding a Sea Keeper Gyro. I'm told by the factory that it consumes 3 kw, my first instinct is to install a dedicated 5 kw for the Gyro. Thoughts anyone?

    Also is there such a thing as a scroll compressor that ramps up to eliminate compressor surge? (Told you guys I'm an idiot when it comes to electric systems on a boat. To the end of shutting off Main power outside of the house to install a ceiling fan...scary huh?)
  15. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Nothing like starting the morning with a challenge. Ignoring the "spike" reference and using your number of full loading of 60kW, I would spec a 99kW unit. Without a whole lot more information it is difficult to get too precise about voltage and phase configuration. Is it an American build for US cruising?



    That would be the most expensive 3kW you ever bought.

    If you are talking about a/c rather than air, scrolls are becoming pretty much standard for the smaller sizes. I would go with that over a rotary but would spend some quality time with a good a/c guy before signing anything.

    The soft start method takes a little thought though, variable frequency drives create harmonics on the power distribution system and if the a/c is the biggest load you might have problems. If you are using larger semi-hermetic units then staging and unloading along with VFDs can go a long way to level out load changes.

    Look at a lot of boats like the one you propose to build and talk to the owners and operators. Listen to them then decide if what you would like will work for you in the way you think you will use the boat.
  16. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Thanks Marmot,
    You're going to have to give me a little more clarification on the dedicated 5 kw gen set for the gyro, as being the most expensive generator I'll ever buy?

    Also the boat is built in the Pacific Rim, but to U.S. specs as far as the electrical system is concerned. And just a little more FYI, the only time she's going to be tied to a dock or slip is for fuel and provisioning. I refuse to live aboard a dock queen. Where ever it can be used, I'm specifying commercial grade equipment.
  17. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I think his point was why would you purchase and install a separate 5 kW genset just to run the Gyro.

    There will be other stuff running al the time so the claimed 3 kW which is about the same as 2 x Electric Kettles will hardly be noticed on the genset supplying the rest of the boat.

    I don't know hoe big this boat is but the less unnecessary clutter you can keep off it the better. Access to work on something is always at a premium so don't waste it.
  18. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Thanks,
    That makes a lot of sense, I doubt that I'd ever shut down enough of the boat to have just the gyro running anyway....you are right one less thing to maintain and clutter up the ER.
  19. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Kiss: Keep It Simple Sailor ;)