are gfi outlets required on a boat

[psneeld]

Complying with ABCY is one thing....GFIs at every outlet is weird... as long as the recommended places are covered.

 

[MacPhid]

Because of our 89 Bayliner 3888’s age, we have required a survey every four years, so we have used the same surveyor each time. Advantage is he knows the boat, can compare to the last survey and comment on any change. Never mentioned any electrical deficiencies (or any other substantial ones). Interesting too that our 33 year old Bayliner had one GFI outlet on both 110v circuits protecting the downstream outlets as standard factory installed equipment.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Yes, but there is a shore power circuit on the boat, and that is the one ABYC standards apply to, and where they say an ELCI is required.

With all due respect ABYC doesn't issue standards. They have no authority to do so. But they do suggest.

 

[psneeld]

And as usual, it will be the insurance company (if you use one) that won't require laws, suggestions, standards, recommendations, etc...etc.... but they will require COMPLIANCE with their wishes... so all else is mute unless you negotiate well with them.

I agree the system is broke...but try telling that to the insurers.

 

[NEtrawler58]

There is a search voltage setting so if set to a 60 watt light for instance it will turn on but not for a 40 watt light.
The draw of the LED green light is way less than the 40 watt bulb.

Not experienced with inverters, but sounds like you mean "current" not "voltage"? Both bulbs require same voltage but different current draw. Since I don't know inverters, maybe they are determining current load by some internal voltage measurement that could be part of a protection circuit or something like that.

 

[SteveK]

Not experienced with inverters, but sounds like you mean "current" not "voltage"? Both bulbs require same voltage but different current draw. Since I don't know inverters, maybe they are determining current load by some internal voltage measurement that could be part of a protection circuit or something like that.

you are correct not voltage, but wattage. This is an option on my inverter which saves battery by not drawing battery amps when there is no load.

 

[NEtrawler58]

Makes sense, thanks. I also don't get the worry about powering the LED on a GFI outlet, but maybe some inverters run even on the slightest of current draw?