30A Shore Power Inlet Fail

D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,960
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Replaced the standard 30A shore power cord with a Smart Plug. After removing the old inlet I discovered this fail. The plastic mounting ring had cracked around 40% of the circumference of the mounting ring.

While we might notice scorching and arcing on the plug, I suspect many of us would not see or suspect a failure of the plastic parts of the inlet.
 

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DStegs49

DStegs49

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Feb 22, 2011
78
Hunter Legend 37 Muskegon, MI
Another good argument for preventive maintenance and inspecting periodically.
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,492
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Good reminder. Mine seems to be in good shape. It's protected inside a stowage bin.
That said, is a Smart Plug worth the expense and planning for a future project?
 
pateco

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Why has West marine stopped stocking the Smart Plug. Even on their website they only have one Sku, and it is on sale.
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,492
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Good call. Most people don't realize how often this happens. Which might kill the product and any future support for current customers. The dark side of free enterprise.
 
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OS2Dude

OS2Dude

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May 7, 2011
223
Catalina 30 Lake Lanier
I switched to a Smart Plug as well and really prefer it to the old style. The Smart Plug only fits one way and has two means of positive locking. My twist ring on the old style had broken and in the dark it was a real battle to get it aligned correctly.

I used the kit to convert my old shore line cord to a Smart Plug, it was quite easy to do if you follow the instructions.
 
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DStegs49

DStegs49

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Feb 22, 2011
78
Hunter Legend 37 Muskegon, MI
With the smart plug, do you have to change both ends of the power cord? Reason I'm asking is what if you go to a different marina and they don't have them in use and you still need an "older" round 3 pronger to plug in?
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,960
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
DStegs49 said:
With the smart plug, do you have to change both ends of the power cord? Reason I'm asking is what if you go to a different marina and they don't have them in use and you still need an "older" round 3 pronger to plug in?
Click to expand
You only replace the boat side of the cord. Changing the shore side would be expensive for marinas. And we all know how marinas love to spend money. The greater risk to your boat is at the boat side of the connection rather than at the power pedestal.
 
BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
2,896
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Just converted to a "Smart Plug" a few months ago. I was getting a reverse polarity reading on my AC breaker panel. Problem traced back to the shore power inlet on the boat. Took a couple of hours to make the conversion to the Smart Plug.
I consider it a major upgrade. The blades on the plug are much more substantial than that on conventional plugs. The plug fits firmly into the receptacle and locks with ease. No more fiddling with with orienting the blades to fit into the receptacle and no more messing with the retainer ring. I purchased another Smart Plug and plan to convert my remaining plug soon. I highly recommend the upgrade. And yes, the you are not converting the dock pedestal end of the power cord, only the boat end of the cord plus the power receptacle on the transom. The holes on my old Hubbel receptacle fit the new plug without any modification. Great design!
 
Justin_NSA

Justin_NSA

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Jul 7, 2004
8,492
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
You would have to take your cord with you though. You can't use a "guest" power cord.
 
BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
2,896
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Yes, you will have to take your "Smart Plug" converted power cord with you to fit the inlet receptacle on your boat. You will continue to use the uncoverted /conventional end of the power cord to plug into the dock power pedestal as usual.
 
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