Calculate Marine Air Conditioner Shore Power Current
The short answer
Reckon on 1.1 kW for every 12,000 BTU plus about 90 W for the seawater pump. A 16,000 BTU system is roughly 1.56 kW, or 6.5 A at 240 V — which leaves 3.5 A of a 10 A marina lead for the charger, the kettle and everything else aboard.
Calculate Boat Air Conditioner Shore Power Current — Requirements and Limitations
That is the running figure. Starting current on a fixed-speed compressor is several times higher for a fraction of a second, which is what actually trips a pedestal breaker when a kettle is already on. A soft start module cuts the inrush by roughly two thirds and costs $300–600 fitted.
Confirm the actual berth outlet and permitted supply with the marina. Add the simultaneous loads listed on the boat’s equipment labels; nominal boat supply ratings and assumptions about neighbouring berths do not establish available capacity.
Related Sizing, Installation and Service Guides
Each of these answers a different part of the same problem.
- the power calculatoryour capacity, your supply, your bank
- when it trips the breakertelling inrush from running load
- the draw at 16,000 BTUwith headroom on both lead sizes
- berth power at your portwhat is actually installed where you berth