convert shore power from us to austrailia

I need options on how to deal with boats with usa 120 volt appliances that are going to Austraila. The appliances and outlets are all usa 120 volt. One of the boats also has a generator. Thanks

 

If you want to keep the 120 V system and appliances, the easiest thing to do would be to install an "international" or "universal" isolation transformer that can handle input voltages other than 120 V. This will also help to prevent galvanic corrosion when your boats are on shorepower and are near badly wired boats or piers.

 

There are several issues, and the length of stay will point to preferred solution.

If short stay, as Matt says firstly get the right isolation transformer. Then buy an Australian 240V battery charger of the appropriate size for your house bank, and leave all wiring and existing appliances running off your bank.

If long stay/permanent, and you want to be able to bypass the house bank then firstly remember that some appliances might be sensitive to the frequency change (60 Hz to 50 Hz) also. Impaired performance and useable life are the downsides, but both might be tolerable - I don't have any recent experience and it will depend on the quality of electrical design.

In my limited experience, USA appliances are often 120V only, whereas 'international' appliances typically come with either manual or auto voltage selection, and most of these are also designed to cope with the frequency difference. I realise this is not much help if appliances are already on board and not multi-voltage, but useful to look for when adding/replacing.

Secondly, consider whether qualified electricians should confirm wiring suitability (gauge) on arrival here and replace wall sockets with Australian ones, if only to satisfy your insurance requirements. Appliance earthing can be the big issue, and earth leakage circuit breakers are very desirable given moist salty air. In principle, well designed wiring should be fine - double the voltage, halve the current draw for a given wattage consumption of an appliance. Then run your multi-voltage appliances on Aust. sockets using airline travelers adapters, or switch the appliance plugs over also. For 120V only appliances, install a few 120V outlets connected to a step-down transformer.

For long stay/permanent, make an inventory of appliances, particularly those that are 120V only. The cheapest and safest solution might be to leave them behind and replace en route, or on arrival. For the generator, leave it behind unless short stay only.

Authorities are fussy on standards, and 240V is quite lethal. Don't take an 'amateur' solution, your legal liability for injury or death makes a certified and professional solution the only way to go.

 

Under OZ rules some states may be wise to how older US boats are earthed so may make you change that to become compliant with oz and Europe.
I think the US has just made the change in their rules.