Best place to install shore power connection

[ris]

We are installing a new smartplug for shore power. There is an old connection at the aft end of the boat and we have no cord at this time. Should I just put the new connection there or move it somewhere else? The wire running from the plug to the boat main breaker is standard underground wire for pumps and such so we need to replace with stranded for marine use. If we have a small a/c as the biggest power user what size wire should we use? I was thinking a #10 would be ok but not sure. My charger is a 20 amp. Thanks for the help.

[RobertB]

Check the size wire the receptacle can accept. I believe mine was #10 (but I cut down #6 only because I already had it). Do you have an AC panel with a voltmeter to see if you are pulling too much and thus reducing the voltage?

[kurz]

I put the inlet shore power connection into the anker locker.

Main reason: This is the normal way to stay in a slip.

Docked with the stern - as all the big yachts do - is not very practicable with the

An even more: the connection is somewhat protected from water.

[bobflshmn]

Location I cannot comment on, but as an electricain I can comment on the wire. Power wiring of a stranded nature are all simalur in design between most stranded wires made of copper; aluminum would simalur in amperages, but all wire types have some rating fluctuation depending on your specific wire type and ambiant temperatures read the printing on the wire before you purchase it. Here is a general rule I doubt most will argue with: 15 ga wire is 15 amps, 12 ga is 20 amps, 10 ga is 30 amps, and 8 ga is 40 amps. Take the total of your combined load worst case to determine you're requirements; however, I belive most guest docks are limited to either 30 or 40 amp breakers; feel free to correct me here folks. Your overload production should be sized to be no greater than your wire size; or visa versa, wire size can not be rated less than the circuit protection. Also remember a proper panel for boat use also opens the neutral not just the hot leg. It is possible for a neutral to become a hot leg in the event of a ground failure at a utility transformer; I have see this first hand. Hope this helps

[kurz]

ok, as you are an electricain...
I put on all electrical wire connections (220V and 12V) vaseline on to protect against ocidation.

Good idea or shall I stop with this?

[dlandersson]

Do you know if you will have a slip/prefered side?

We are installing a new smartplug for shore power. There is an old connection at the aft end of the boat and we have no cord at this time. Should I just put the new connection there or move it somewhere else? The wire running from the plug to the boat main breaker is standard underground wire for pumps and such so we need to replace with stranded for marine use. If we have a small a/c as the biggest power user what size wire should we use? I was thinking a #10 would be ok but not sure. My charger is a 20 amp. Thanks for the help.

[Russ]

I put the inlet shore power connection into the anker locker.

Main reason: This is the normal way to stay in a slip.

Docked with the stern - as all the big yachts do - is not very practicable with the

An even more: the connection is somewhat protected from water.

This make a lot of sense.
I never understood why boat builders put the connector at the aft of sailboats when they generally are bow first in slips. Our Hunter had the connector way back and we had to run the cord the full length of the boat to get to the dockside box. Powerboats makes sense because they are usually aft to dock.

I would say if you plan on bow first to the slip, someplace forward like Kurz in the locker out of the weather. Aft to dock slip, I've seen in the motorwell as a common location.



--Russ

[Obelix]

We put our connector in the side under the captain-seat to give it some protection.
With the usually very short finger-docks in Florida, we frequently back into slips, but it doesn't really matter since we use a 50' shore-power cord.

Obelix

[bobflshmn]

I put on all electrical wire connections (220V and 12V) vaseline on to protect against ocidation.

Good idea or shall I stop with this?

Well that is a new one on me, I have never checked the conductive properties of Vaseline, but I believe as a petroleum product it may be flammable, maybe someone here with chemical background can educate us! There are probably better products for you. Check Home Depot/Lowes for liquid electrical tape, pure silicone also works. I have also used heat shrink tubing with a special material in side for underwater applications but would be overkill. 12 volts DC is not a critical for water except the corrosion issue; DC drops current fast with pour connects, but the 120/220 and water is bad!

[81venture]

mine is on the port side in the cockpit

Like others I found that fishing wires throughout the mac was "challenging" to say the least.

having owned an access control/CCTV installation company and doing exactly that (fishing wires) I have more experience than most and I was still challenged by the X

I don't like seeing a single wire

[Tomfoolery]

This picture is from Dowsar's web site, but my shore power inlet is in the same place, under the red arrow. In fact, I suspect they did the work, as I know they did some other things on my boat for the PO, including the full enclosure. Or the PO got the idea from them, and did it himself, which is consistent with the other 'quality' modifications he did.



And yes, it's nearly impossible to snake wire in this boat, so I would recommend some custom enclosure work behind the inlet, to include a proper 2-pole breaker with reverse polarity, and 15A or 20A branch circuit breakers. 15 or 20A receptacles on a 30A circuit is not prudent, and is a violation of the NEC, although it probably doesn't apply to boats once you get past the power pedestal. But there's a reason it's not code compliant, and why you can buy a nice AC power panel with 2 or more branch circuits plus the main, so why not do it right.

Unlike mine, which has a 15A duplex on a 2-pole 30A main breaker (proper marine inlet breaker), screwed into a new-work box which is screwed into the thin liner, using NM (aka Romex) solid building wire. Gotta get that upgraded.

[dlandersson]

FWIW, a PO on my X appeared to spare no expense on mods, and that is exactly where my shore power connection is also.

[Highlander]

Here,s where my Elect. plug is mounted under the stern seat
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 0007-3.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 010025.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 010078.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 010077.jpg

J

[tp56ihs]

I installed mine there as well. On the side under red arrow that is..

[Catigale]

Important consideration for any spot.

The closer you can get the next part of the shore power electrical system, which is a double pole switch, the safer you are. The run from my plug to switch is about 2 inches, and is inspected at the beginning of each season.