Next message: Norm of Bandersnatch: "RE: lv-ab: Honda Generator Question"
Believe it or not, I have actually seen shore power connections on some
Bayliner style boats installed in the topsides of the hull BELOW the rail.
As described in the below email, I too hard-connect (soldered-on eye
terminals bolted together with 1/4-20 ss machine screws and rubber hose
slipped over the connections) my shore power cable (3x#6 SO cord) to
identical line going to the ac distribution panel. This connection is made
in a well-protected part of the boat and I have never had trouble with it.
I have 50 A breakers on this line, mostly to turn it off and on.
For the other end of the shore cable I have a "range plug" as used for
shoreside electric cooking ranges. I then have a number of short adapter
cables, each with a range receptacle on one end and whatever plug is
required on the other. Since the only places I have plugged my shore cable
into in ten years have been boat yards I have used only the un-adapted
range plug (very popular with commercial folks) and in the case of the yard
we use in Gloucester, a commercial welder plug (which looks like a giant
version of the standard household plug).
Putting hands on machinery to check temperature is a standard big-ship
practice. A quick light touch at first, then more contact as you become
more confident that you won't get burned. If you can keep your hand on it
is us usually OK, except for electrical wires and plugs, etc, which should
not be more than just warm unless designed for higher temps.
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying 30 07.715N 081 38.394W
Julington Creek Estuary FL
> [Original Message]
> From: jim sims <>
> To: <>
> Date: 2/7/2007 10:06:12 PM
> Subject: lv-ab: Re: shore power connections (was heaters)
>
> After seeing a charred connector on one boat, coming back ot the dock to
> find a neighbor's boat had caught fire (luckily folks were around the
> usually deserted dock and quickly put it out), and finding early signs of
> overheating on my own shore power cable.... [cable was ~1 year old]
>
> I asked around and on the list (about 2 years ago)
>
> Based on the advice I got and my observation, I cut the boat-side
> connector off the shore power cable and hard-wired it to the boat
> ("upstream" of the boat-side power connector). Used "code approved" crimp
> connectors, not wire nuts to make the connection, made sure the cables
> were stress-relieved, etc.
>
> During the next year or so livingin aboard I never had any issues and
> slept *much* better at night - aboard or ashore.
>
> jim
>
>
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