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AC Power do's, don'ts from Boat US
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jralbert
#1 Posted : Wednesday, November 17, 2010 12:38:29 PM(UTC)
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An article worth reading

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/36.htm
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
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Please Register : To weed out spammers, new members may not post until approved. An email is usually sent after approval. This forum is for Marinette Owners and other aluminum boat boaters who wish to share boating information. Aluminum Roamer owners are also welcome. (Do not post content you do not have the right to post and mass (robots) posters are unwelcome. We also have a marine electronics page and lots of Chrysler Engine info. State by what permission you copy content and give credit properly.) The site is now fixed with some more Chrysler information. We have space for pictures on the new location. Use shinkpic to autochange size http://www.onthegosoft.com/sp_download.htm

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fastjeff
#2 Posted : Wednesday, November 17, 2010 10:58:28 PM(UTC)
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Excellent write up, but they neglected a mistake that way too many boaters make: they don't throw the main breaker off BEFORE disconnecting their shore power connection. That alone can produce a giant arc, but reconnecting that shore power cord is far worse. Imagine the sudden surge of current going through that plug IN YOUR HAND as AC unit(s), battery charger, lights and etc. all come on at once! I hate to tell you how many burnt shore power cords I saw last year as the wife and I accompanied friends of ours on a boat shopping tour.

Jeff

PS: Some people turn of the breaker (if there is one) on the dock instead. That's fine IF you remember to check that it's still OFF before plugging the cord back in. Since one might forget that step after a harrowing re-docking incident, turning off the boat's breaker is preferred. Turning BOTH breakers off would be even better.
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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mark klusman
#4 Posted : Thursday, November 18, 2010 12:44:24 AM(UTC)
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Great PS Jeff, thats how dad taught me. Since i leave my power cord on the dock, i also unplug it from the shore power pack. Have seen many of the 30 amp cords with the ends hanging in the water. Roll mine up and hang it on the hook thats available.

Mark
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GB49
#6 Posted : Thursday, November 18, 2010 10:36:10 AM(UTC)
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Good info.
Also add dielectric spray lube & cleaner to both cord plugs and sockets a couple times a year. Keeps the moisture off the contacts and keep everything clean and happy.

I have also gotten in the habit of feeling the shore plugs for heat temp especially when the a/c has been running all day. Probably a good job for one of those laser temp reader thingies.

-Karl
1986, 32' Sedan, twin 360ci, 275hp Chrysler's w/ K&N flame arrestors
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BCassedy
#7 Posted : Thursday, November 18, 2010 1:43:16 PM(UTC)
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For those who don't have an infrared temp device, here's a great deal:

19.99 at Harbor Freight After Thanksgiving Sale:
http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer

Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
" Sunset Seeker "
1988 32' Fly Bridge
Twin 318 Cu In / 240HP Chrysler power plants
Raw water cooling
Freshwater boat
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dougrose
#8 Posted : Thursday, November 18, 2010 11:40:59 PM(UTC)
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Quote:
In your breaker box at home the neutral wires and grounding wires all connect to the same terminal strip (or bus bar), but on a boat the AC grounding wire is connected to the DC ground.


I sure don't buy that for an aluminum boat, or for any boat where the DC ground connects to anything exposed to the water. I see no mention whatsoever of a galvanic isolator. And I am pretty sure the ABYC wouldn't think too much of it either....


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
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pfhlaw
#9 Posted : Friday, November 19, 2010 1:26:16 AM(UTC)
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Never handle a live shore power cord.

Years ago, there was a tragic preventable death near us. A boy was killed when he slipped into
the water while connecting (or disconnecting) the shore power cord on grandpa's boat.

It seems so obvious, but walk up and down the dock and you'll find several live cords coiled like a snake and waiting for
the next victim to return to his slip.

When I find them I disconnect them from the shore box.
Peter
1981 32' sedan bridge
twin Chrysler 360 cu. in. 250 hp engines
Raw water cooled
Nimbus II
Home port: New Buffalo, MI
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fastjeff
#10 Posted : Friday, November 19, 2010 7:34:31 AM(UTC)
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..."It seems so obvious, but walk up and down the dock and you'll find several live cords coiled like a snake and waiting for the next victim to return to his slip."

You're absolutely correct! My marina has the same doofusses.

Since we bow in, we don't leave the power cord behind--I clip it to the railing all the way forward, then coil the end up on the forward deck.

Jeff
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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Barkleydave
#11 Posted : Saturday, November 20, 2010 12:29:54 AM(UTC)
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All excellent points. I keep mine on dock but unplug from AC stand.

1. Marinas should be required to install 30 AMP GFCI breakers on pwr stands. I have electric on my personal dock and code required GFIC main breaker on the shore end service box. Mine is 30 AMP 240 going to dock. Breaker is expensive but protects all circuits.

2. You can buy a RV surge/polarity/GFIC inline protector. It tests for proper polarity and is also is GFCI so if there ever is an incident it will trip. Cheap insurance and they are weather proof.

dave
None
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cap'n Brent
#3 Posted : Saturday, November 20, 2010 6:24:40 PM(UTC)
cap'n Brent

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Fastjeff wrote:
Excellent write up, but they neglected a mistake that way too many boaters make: they don't throw the main breaker off BEFORE disconnecting their shore power connection. That alone can produce a giant arc, but reconnecting that shore power cord is far worse. Imagine the sudden surge of current going through that plug IN YOUR HAND as AC unit(s), battery charger, lights and etc. all come on at once! I hate to tell you how many burnt shore power cords I saw last year as the wife and I accompanied friends of ours on a boat shopping tour.

Jeff

PS: Some people turn of the breaker (if there is one) on the dock instead. That's fine IF you remember to check that it's still OFF before plugging the cord back in. Since one might forget that step after a harrowing re-docking incident, turning off the boat's breaker is preferred. Turning BOTH breakers off would be even better.
after2 many cap'n cokes I always forget to turn doc breaker back on till I hear huny the blender doesn't work is the power on then I rember
HP Chadwick bay Sunset Bay lake Erie NY boat name Sunrise 32' f/b fisherman chry 318 twin blue bastards,28'express singel 318
"It would be a labor of love, if I loved to labor" cpt Brent
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