Shore Power

VisionaryP

The boat I just bought has the attached socket on it for shore power. I'm pretty sure that's a big no-no, as I'd need to have a male to male 16amp blue plug cable for it.

Has anyone seen this on a boat before, and can it work safely, or am I right in thinking I have to replace it?

fergal.b

One of these should work for you.
http://www.chandleryscotland.com/image/cache/data/IMAGES/44801-441x441.jpg



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VisionaryP

fergal.b wrote: »

One of these should work for you.
http://www.chandleryscotland.com/image/cache/data/IMAGES/44801-441x441.jpg


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A cable with that at both ends? A guy beside me in the marina reckoned it's dangerous to do that. And Irish Waterways say to use the flat 3pin format at the boat end.

Your recommendation would be by far the cheapest option though, so if it'll do the job, I'll try it.

Tabnabs

I don't claim to be an expert, but this is the standard socket on the boat that you plug the shore power into



If you haven't got that OP, then I'd suggest getting a mechanic or electrical expert in to checking the system. There could be other anomalies which could end hurting someone or setting fire to the boat in a worst case scenario. It may also void your boat insurance.

fergal.b

I will be doing the whole fitting of shore power on my restoration so I'll look into it a bit deeper when the time comes.


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VisionaryP

fergal.b wrote: »

I will be doing the whole fitting of shore power on my restoration so I'll look into it a bit deeper when the time comes.


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Thanks Fergal. We're re-wiring the boat over the next couple of days with the help of an ex-Royal Navy marine electrician, so we should be pretty safe with that! With regards to the socket, I've since learned as long as it's plugged into the boat first, it's safe enough.

spaceHopper

If it's male pins on both ends of the shore cable then yes it is dangerous, you could easily plug it in to the shore socket and then the end of the cable is live with exposed contacts

pH

spaceHopper wrote: »

If it's male pins on both ends of the shore cable then yes it is dangerous, you could easily plug it in to the shore socket and then the end of the cable is live with exposed contacts

I agree, the power inlet on your boat should have male pins recessed into a socket like the image posted above. Your shore power cable should have a standard male end for connecting to the actual power source, and a female end to connect to the inlet on your boat.

It should be obvious to everyone that water and mains voltage electricity are a very dangerous combination, and if the previous owners of the boat have installed this as a shore power inlet, for your safety and peace of mind you should check the entire system to make sure that the appropriate wiring has been used, that an RCD/MCB(s) is installed and everything is safe. In particular you should make absolutely sure that the circuit breakers work, and that the earth is connected properly.

If you're planning on leaving the shore power connected for long periods of time (even in fresh water) then you should also see if some type of galvanic isolator is fitted or that there are anodes fitted to underwater metalwork.

VisionaryP

pH wrote: »

I agree, the power inlet on your boat should have male pins recessed into a socket like the image posted above. Your shore power cable should have a standard male end for connecting to the actual power source, and a female end to connect to the inlet on your boat.

It should be obvious to everyone that water and mains voltage electricity are a very dangerous combination, and if the previous owners of the boat have installed this as a shore power inlet, for your safety and peace of mind you should check the entire system to make sure that the appropriate wiring has been used, that an RCD/MCB(s) is installed and everything is safe. In particular you should make absolutely sure that the circuit breakers work, and that the earth is connected properly.

Yeah that's what I thought. We're rewiring literally everything, wires, sockets, fuseboard, switches etc. A new alternator arrived today, so we have everything now to get started. Except a new shore power socket, now added to the list!

Thanks all.

fergal.b

Keep me posted on your shore power setup and Ill follow your lead




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