The boat has what appears to be a factory installed 110V shorepower system, although the original sales brochure and manual do not show this system as standard or optional for the outboard-equipped model. Shorepower plug on the boat appears to be wired direct to two 110V outlets, each with it's own GFCI. No AC panel, breaker, reverse polarity indicator, etc. The diesel-equipped boat engine provides the ground (green wire) connection for shorepower and comes with the AC panel, according to the electrical diagram. My question is... where should the green wire connect on a system like mine? There is no iron block down below. Or, do I have a shocking experience ahead of me? No shorepower at the present slip, so I can't try the system. (Might be why I'm able to ask this question!) I plan to trace the green wire next trip to the boat. Anyone else have this similar setup and am I worrying about nothing?
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Looks good.
So long as the green(ground) wire is connected to the GCFI ground you should be good to go. This assumes that the shorepower cable is properly wired in the marina. Nigel Calder's book illustrates how to test for proper polarity. He also warns that there should never be a fuse or c/b in that green wire circuit.
So long as the green(ground) wire is connected to the GCFI ground you should be good to go. This assumes that the shorepower cable is properly wired in the marina. Nigel Calder's book illustrates how to test for proper polarity. He also warns that there should never be a fuse or c/b in that green wire circuit.
Thanks, Ed. You've confirmed what I suspected. It would be nice to have the AC panel (guess I could add later). I'll check the shore power polarity issue when the boat gets relocated later this year.
Wise to ask.
More sailors need to be aware of the dangers of 110V AC. It is definitely lethal. I hear of people switching off the AC breaker(s) in the panel and then working on wiring in the boat. But so long as there is shorepower connected there is 110V in the wires. If you are going to work on ANY wiring, especially the panel, please first unplug the shorepower. And if you have an inverter make sure it is off also.
More sailors need to be aware of the dangers of 110V AC. It is definitely lethal. I hear of people switching off the AC breaker(s) in the panel and then working on wiring in the boat. But so long as there is shorepower connected there is 110V in the wires. If you are going to work on ANY wiring, especially the panel, please first unplug the shorepower. And if you have an inverter make sure it is off also.
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