While pluged into shore power, the A/C outlets on my boat test at 114 volts. When I turn on the air condition unit it seems to be starving for power and the water circulating pump is barely pumping water. With the AC unit running, the outlets test at 100 volts. My question is, is the problem the dock power, my shore power cord, the boat wiring or all of the above. Thanks, Bob
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Jim Maroldo
volatge drop
Bob, you'll have to meaure the voltage at various points , starting at the shore power outlet itself, step by step down the line until you find where the voltage drop is. With all the equipment turned on, it should be quite easy to find. I wouldn't be suprised if that area was a bit warm also! In case you're not aware of the potential for diaster here, you should realise that if your equipment is drawing 20 amps and you're losing 15 volts at some point, that's (20Amps x 15Volts = 300Watts) allot of heat being generated somewhere! Of course this is only my opinion, but I wouldn't use it unattended until the probem is solved. Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
Bob, you'll have to meaure the voltage at various points , starting at the shore power outlet itself, step by step down the line until you find where the voltage drop is. With all the equipment turned on, it should be quite easy to find. I wouldn't be suprised if that area was a bit warm also! In case you're not aware of the potential for diaster here, you should realise that if your equipment is drawing 20 amps and you're losing 15 volts at some point, that's (20Amps x 15Volts = 300Watts) allot of heat being generated somewhere! Of course this is only my opinion, but I wouldn't use it unattended until the probem is solved. Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
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Mark Fabre
Find your voltage loss
by turning on a load, such as your A/C, then check the voltage at the dock receptacle (may want to hire a pro if you're not electrically inclined). If the power is 110V there then the problem is on your side so check where your power cord connects to the boat. If voltage is below 110 at the dock receptacle then you should check with your harbor maintenance to get it fixed. Typically a voltage drop will be caused by undersized wiring or a corroded connector. Either one will cause a hot-spot in the wiring which may lead to significantly reduced freeboard. The following link may be of interest.
by turning on a load, such as your A/C, then check the voltage at the dock receptacle (may want to hire a pro if you're not electrically inclined). If the power is 110V there then the problem is on your side so check where your power cord connects to the boat. If voltage is below 110 at the dock receptacle then you should check with your harbor maintenance to get it fixed. Typically a voltage drop will be caused by undersized wiring or a corroded connector. Either one will cause a hot-spot in the wiring which may lead to significantly reduced freeboard. The following link may be of interest.
I agree with these guys.
Bob: I would agree with these guys. First and foremost, do not leave you power cord attached while you are away from the boat. These shore power cords really should be discarded after about 10 years anyway. New ones are only about $40-50, so it is cheap insurance. You also need to check the receptical on the boat
Bob: I would agree with these guys. First and foremost, do not leave you power cord attached while you are away from the boat. These shore power cords really should be discarded after about 10 years anyway. New ones are only about $40-50, so it is cheap insurance. You also need to check the receptical on the boat
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Bob Rutland
Hot cord
Thanks for the advice! Now that I think about it, the shore power cord gets pretty warm when the a/c is running. Is this normal? Bob
Thanks for the advice! Now that I think about it, the shore power cord gets pretty warm when the a/c is running. Is this normal? Bob
Not!
Bob: This is NOT normal. Just go get another cord ASAP. Then check out your voltage again. You may save yourself some bucks and a disaster.
Bob: This is NOT normal. Just go get another cord ASAP. Then check out your voltage again. You may save yourself some bucks and a disaster.
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Jim Maroldo
MOST DEFINITELY NOT!
You have to find out what the maximum amp draw is when everything on your boat is turned on. I'm talking about 120-volts here (a/c, charger, refridgerator, etc.), not the 12-volt stuff. Then go get a shore power cord that is rated ABOVE that maximum amperage. If the shore receptacle is rated less than that amount, then you'll have to find a slip that will accomodate you. Typically, the regular duplex receptacles with house-type sockets are good for up to 20 amps maximum. Beyond that (and you probably ARE beyond that!), you should be using one of those 30 or 50-amp twist-lock plugs at both ends. Stay cool! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
You have to find out what the maximum amp draw is when everything on your boat is turned on. I'm talking about 120-volts here (a/c, charger, refridgerator, etc.), not the 12-volt stuff. Then go get a shore power cord that is rated ABOVE that maximum amperage. If the shore receptacle is rated less than that amount, then you'll have to find a slip that will accomodate you. Typically, the regular duplex receptacles with house-type sockets are good for up to 20 amps maximum. Beyond that (and you probably ARE beyond that!), you should be using one of those 30 or 50-amp twist-lock plugs at both ends. Stay cool! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
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Wayne
Check all the connectors in your electrical Panel
We had a similar problem last year and traced it down to a loose connection. Retighted the connectors behind the electrical panel and everyone was happy again. -w
We had a similar problem last year and traced it down to a loose connection. Retighted the connectors behind the electrical panel and everyone was happy again. -w
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