Next message: (no name): "T&T: Shore power cable immersion (was: Hot shore power connections )"
About five years ago, I had a phone visit with the person who tabulates all
causes of insurance claims at BoatUS.
He said well over half of all boat fires are caused by dock-to-boat power
cables becoming overheated. Even worse, such fires often begin on the back
side of the cable receptacles on the boat, mostly because of connections that
have loosened through vibration. Such fires start and can be well underway
before ever being noticed. By that time, saving the boat becomes seriously
questionable.
As those on the list have already suggested, he strongly advised checking
all connections every year for corrosion and tightness. As for me, I am a
great believer and user of T-9. I use it liberally on all my power plugs and
receptacles at least annually and usually more often than that.
He also added that just as important, cables can be internally damaged by
virtue of being inadvertently or accidentally pinched, mashed, stretched or
otherwise stressed just through normal use. That can lead to internal shorts
and if the outer covering is damaged, to internal corrosion.
For those reasons, and I believe I remember this correctly, he advised
replacing those power cables about every five years regardless of how much
preventative maintenance you have given them.
He admitted that's tough on the boat budget and particularly painful if the
cables "look" okay. But that it wasn't nearly as tough as seeing your lovely
go up in flames.
Fred Myers
Former CruiseGuide Author & Publisher
**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL
Home.
(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)
_______________________________________________
http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering
To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options (get password, change email address, etc) go to: http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/trawlers-and-trawlering
Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World
Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
