I know that this has been discussed to some extent, but I thought it might be useful to describe my recent problem with my shore power connection. A couple of weeks ago, I was pulling the shore power cord from my boat and had trouble removing it. When I got it off it was apparent that the plug was was fried. (Pic below). We were obviously lucky that we didn't have a fire.
Trying to determine the cause I ruled out the wire running from the outlet to the control panel since I upgraded it to 10 gauge when I bought the boat at the surveyor's recommendation. We don't use any high amperage appliance. In doing additional reading it seems that these cords are prone to shorting when the contacts on the outlet get corroded, possibly combined with any movement of the contact between the twist on plug and outlet. Since I needed to replace both the receptacle and plug, I decided to replace it with the Smartplug, which has straight prongs rather than twist on, and a clamp that holds the plug firmly against the outlet. It was apparently designed to address the problem that I was experiencing.
Installation is quite easy, the Smartplug is designed to be a direct replacement for the Hubble outlet, all of the screw holes matched perfectly. I used my shore power cord, and replaced the plug with the Smartplug. Everything was provided for a nice clean/waterproof installation. (Not an endorsement, just my opinion)
I think that my next step will be to install a circuit breaker between the outlet and the panel. Can anyone suggest a breaker that will mount easily and work for this purpose?
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
Blue Sea makes a residual current circuit breaker (ELCI) that is enclosed inside a water proof box. It is a little on the expensive side but it will keep your boat from being the one that, if it gets two AC faults, cause electric shock drowning. Think of a boat as a hair dryer in water.
If you are doing all that wiring, now is a great time to install a galvanic isolator too.
Best Wishes
I see I responded to an old old post. Better go make myself another pot of coffee.
[QUOTE=TrueWind;13867]I see I responded to an old old post. Better go make myself another pot of coffee.[/QUOTE]
Not hardly! Always good to have input from someone in the field on something as important as this is.
Cream and 1/2 sugar in mine please.:p
Thanks TrueWind, that's exactly the information that I was hoping to get, although I don't really understand how and where the galvanic isolator fits in. More reading to do....
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
I just saw this after having done the same upgrade myself, literally this afternoon. I came home from two weeks away from the boat to discover no A/C power and a seriously fried plug and socket. Really easy upgrade. Took maybe 90 minutes, start to finish, including the time to rewire my old shore cord.
My MkII has a master breaker (do all Mk IIs have this) by the plug receptacle in the stern, and a galvanic isolater (Zinc Saver II) nearby. Other Mk II owners: is the Zinc Saver OEM or did a PO put it on?
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
If you decide to install a galvanic isolator just make sure it is a fail safe model. If it gets hit by lightening it will still have kept the ground to shore power connection. I'm going to replace the stock Catalina isolator with a fail safe one
I am also going to replace the main shore power breaker that is in the starboard aft locker with a ELCI breaker. I just watched a 2 hr webinar on Electrical Shock Drowning and my boat is not ever going to be the one that causes that. Think of a boat as a hair dryer in water.
Ill post those upgrades when I get them finished. I just installed a boat monitor system that texts me and emails me when any of my systems go out of programmable specs. It's way too cool. I'll post that install with the rest.
David
2003 Catalina 36
This is clearly an upgrade that I want to do. The shore power connection goes directly to the ac breaker on the panel with no other interruption. I am interested to learn the breaker that you use and how the galvanic isolator fits in. I'll look forward to seeing the description of your installation...
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California