30 Amp Main Panel

[CaptGregg]

My Catalina 22 has a 30 amp shore power connector mounted on the side. The PO had wired it directly to 2 duplex receptacles wired in series. He had no breaker panel or any type of protection (such as GFI receptacles).

I was wondering if anyone on the forum has updated their shore power arrangements and has a used 30 amp main panel laying around they want to get rid of cheaply?

I would appreciate the help.

Gregg

 

[jrowan]

Capt. Gregg,

You are doing the right thing by instsalling a breaker for the 30 amp circuit. Without it you risk electrocution or burning up your boat. If there is any fault in the circuit or what you plug into it, that can be bad news. The breaker is of course designed to cut power in the event of pulling excess current rating. That said, I would not recommend installing used electrical equipment. The marine environment creates harsh corrosion. Whatever was pulled out of someone else's boat was for a reason, cause it was having problems. Catalina was not known for installing quality electrical panels. They're cheaply made. All you need is a 2 pole 30 amp marine grade breaker. Look around online & they'll be cheaper then@ W. Marine. Your local chandlery may have an older, unused one laying around on sale. Don't skimp when it comes to electrical components!

 

[CaptGregg]

I was hoping I could find something in good shape that was removed due to an upgrade. You're right concerning corrosion so hopefully I can find something new relatively inexpensively. The cheapest in price I can find is $136 for 30 amp main with 3 15 amp branch circuits.

 

[Me and Boo]

Defender has a good selection of panels and breakers.
Are you looking for a complete panel or just a 30 amp breaker?

 

[CaptGregg]

Defender has a good selection of panels and breakers.
Are you looking for a complete panel or just a 30 amp breaker?

Hey Me and Boo,

Like I said in my original post, the PO had the 30 amp connector on the boat tapped into two receptacles, no protection, no panel, no nothing; so yes, I need a panel and a breaker with at least one 15 amp branch circuit. Being as I have two receptacles, I would like to put each GFI duplex on a breaker each. I realize you can have multiple appliances on one branch circuit but the more segregation you have, the better protection I would assume.

I was hoping for something used to minimize cost since this is not my only repair/upgrade before my 4 day cruise in June and funds are limited. But used equipment could mean corrosion and possibly failure due to age and fatigue so it would be a gamble as purchasing unused and unseen equipment always is.

I've talked with the first marina I'll be staying at and he's assured me that for my 48 hour stay there in transient docking, I'll be less than 50 feet away from a 120V receptacle and can use a drop cord and a power strip to power my appliances (mainly a coffee pot in the morning and cell phone/laptop chargers).

 

[CaptGregg]

I saw this on ebay but couldn't get the $75 before the "Buy it now" ended