Another Smart Plug Question

[Kermit]

I'm considering having a shore power outlet added to our dock. I've read about the SmartPlug but don't see that SmartPlug is available for the dock connection. It seems to only be available for the boat connection. Is it available for the dock connection? If not, it seems to me I'll have outdated technology on the dock even if I convert to SmartPlug on the boat.

Thanks!

 

[Ted]

The answer to your question is in a previous post. The short answer is that the shore side plug is not approved yet. Here's the link.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1085400&highlight=

 

[Kermit]

The answer to your question is in a previous post. The short answer is that the shore side plug is not approved yet. Here's the link.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1085400&highlight=

This is EXACTLY the discussion I was looking for. But for some reason I either didn't read far enough or just couldn't find it. Thanks for the link. It has answered all of my question - so far!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I've read about the SmartPlug but don't see that SmartPlug is available for the dock connection.

I think the point here is that the dock connection isn't so important, it's your boat connection that's important.

I installed one a few months ago. The boat end is very nice and tight. The dock end is still the same old, and the marina is not about to change the plugs any time soon.

 

[Kermit]

Since I'm starting from scratch on the dock I figured I'd put a SmartPlug connection if available. Oh well...

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Since I'm starting from scratch on the dock I figured I'd put a SmartPlug connection if available. Oh well...

At least you heart (or is that plug) was in the right place.

 

[Kermit]

At least you heart (or is that plug) was in the right place.

Yeah, I was hoping to skip the retrofit step.

 

[mitiempo]

Yeah, I was hoping to skip the retrofit step.

If by "retrofit" you mean change one end of the shorepower cord, you don't have to. You can purchase a Smartpower shorepower cord with Smartplug on the boat end and standard twistlock on the shore end. http://www.smartplug.com/products/cordsets.html

It is also the only shorepower cord made with tinned wire from one end to the other.

 

[Kermit]

I actually meant the shore end once it's available. My current frustration is that I haven't been able to find a shore receptacle that is threaded. They all seem to be smooth. Sure, they are twist lock receptacles but the plug on the cord is threaded so I'd like to have a threaded receptacle. The frustration mounts!

 

[woodster]

I actually meant the shore end once it's available. My current frustration is that I haven't been able to find a shore receptacle that is threaded. They all seem to be smooth. Sure, they are twist lock receptacles but the plug on the cord is threaded so I'd like to have a threaded receptacle. The frustration mounts!

one of the reasons they are threaded on the male end is so you can add another length of shore power cord to it and secure the connection

PS i think you have to purchase the threaded part in order to do so

PPS after doing a search ...there does not seem to be an adapter ring to join the connection when adding an extra cord

 

[chuckwayne]

they used to sell the connector ring to make a waterproof junction but I haven't seen them in catalogs for several years - scream loudly!

 

[Kermit]

Update. Adding shore power to my dock is not gonna happen now. Thanks for all the info, y'all. (Change of plans has nothing to do with SmartPlug availability.)

 

[PSR]

I have switched to a SmartPlug connection/cable. The main reason for switching, it seems to me, is the thermal breaker in the SmartPlug connection to the boat,
On the other hand, since deciding to change out from the old yeller cable and connection, I have thought to myself, now, just how risky is the old standard. There must be tens of thousands of boats with MarinCo shore power connections, and in spite of horror stories of the failure of the archaic standard connector, the risk of the old standard connection, judging by the number of reported electrical resulting from a failure of the old, standard connection is very small for an individual boat owner.
Even though I believe what I just asserted about risk, I am happy I have made the change, and that my marina neighbors have noticed the bright, new, orange hookup so that I've had a chance to tell them the reason for my decision. I wish the marina owners would pay attention, since for them, the risk is a lot higher of an electrical failure, and a fire.
PSR

 

[mitiempo]

they used to sell the connector ring to make a waterproof junction but I haven't seen them in catalogs for several years - scream loudly!

It's still available.

 

[WayneH]

Last year I changed out the traveling cord boat end for another Marinco plug. When we returned from our travels after 84 days, the Marinco plug had a burned connection from arcing. This is what really convinced me to swap out for another style of plug. MaineSail's dissertation on the Smart Plug led me to buy a kit to change the boat out and a spare plug for the traveling cord.

I'd still like to know how my old cord that was velcroed to the stern line managed to get pulled out of my boat and dangled in the water for who knows how long before we got back to the boat. I could hear it sizzling in the water but the breaker on the dock never tripped.

 

[Ron20324]

..... I could hear it sizzling in the water but the breaker on the dock never tripped.

The breakers on both ends should be off BEFORE the cord gets disconnected. Basic boating 101. That's probably why the plug arcs- it's hot when connected, and it's like a welding rod at the point.

 

[chuckwayne]

the connector is available from where, please...people keep trying to steal mine!

 

[PSR]

the connector is available from where, please...people keep trying to steal mine!

My smartplug cord set came from sailboat owners store.