Hunter announces electrical concern on P42

[Paul Cossman]

P42 electrical problems

Thanks very much for that information. About a year ago I conducted a periodic inspection on my shore power connection wiring, and found that the hot wire connection to the plug (located under the cockpit entry step) had almost completely burned through. I was only lucky that it didn't start a fire. I replaced the wiring and the socket.I thought it was my fault for running a high wattage miniature electric heater while on shore power. Then I saw the pictures of the burnt P42. And now I see your notice of Hunter's recognition of problems. Hmmmmm.Thanks very much for the "heads-up." I'll be contacting the local Hunter dealer very soon.

 

[bill walton]

maintenance

The shorepower connection is prone to problems because the plugs are constantly levering on the sockets and the motion works on the bundle of conductors at each terminal. The bundle compresses and allows the connection to become loose causing a high resistance connection. It is important to inspect this regularly just as you did. I try to look at mine a couple of times per year. I have found the connection loose more than once.

 

[Brad Cavedo]

I think ours is different

we have hull 206 [ or 8] and I looked at the backside of the shore power connection after I saw the pictures of the fire and I was surprised to see that it is all solid on the back and sealed. You cannot see where the wires connect! They just go into this solid white plastic thing on the back of the plug and that is that. I take it that this connection is different from the ones in the warning for the boats from 1989 to 1995. Am I right??

 

[bill walton]

Brad,double check

Brad,On Sugar Magnolia, 211, There are wires that run from the two breakers around to the shore sockets. Pull the white covers off of the back of the sockets and you will see the three screw terminals on each socket. The white cover has a stress relief clamp. and is attached to the actual socket with 3 screws.bw

 

[Bradley Cavedo]

Will do

Thanks Bill. I guess I didn't really know what I was looking at. We will check it again during winterization, which is usually thanksgiving weekend.

 

[Al]

Hunter is addressing the wires

from the battery isolator not the shore power connection. In the letter that I received, the 8 gage wires from the battery isolator were the suspected cause of the fire. The upgrade changes these wires to 2 gage and fuses the positive wire from the inverter. I think any upgrade on these older boats should also include fuses for the house battery bank.

 

[HOW Editorial]

Hunter Marine has released a memo to owners of Hunter Passage 42 owners with hulls HUNP0001J990 through HUNP0180L495, stating that certain electrical upgrades could cause a fire hazard.Because of a fire on a 1994 Passage 42, Hunter initiated an investigation of its wiring. While their memo lists many possible causes of this fire, including improperly installed after-market equipment, they concluded that the charging leads and isolator wiring inside of this model may not be adequate for some of today's add-on equipment. As a result, Hunter is offering a free wiring upgrade to owners of boats with the serial numbers listed above, picking up the cost of both parts and installation.If you own one of the boats in question Hunter recommends that you not leave the boat unattended for any reason while the dockside power is attached to it, and that the inverter's battery charging system not be used during nighttime hours.While many 42's have been upgraded and no longer have the original inverter, isolator switch, or wiring, you should still call Hunter Marine immediately to determine if your boat needs this upgrade. They will provide complete instructions on the upgrade, and can help you determine if your boat requires it.Hunter Marine can be reached at: 1-800-771-5556..or...huntermarine@worldnet.att.net