Installing Shore Power Tips ?

[Eddyvee]

I am considering installing shore power on a 1983 25. I would like to have two outlets in the cabin, maybe one in the cockpit, a second battery and a charger. It has an OMC saildrive. Does anyone have ideas on recommended parts (AC panel, switch, in/outlets), maybe some diagrams, wire routing tips, locations, etc, do's and dont's, reference materials etc ? Any help would be greatly appreciated !

 

[RichJ]

AC power

1st off if you want shore power (AC) you'll need 1) a boat inlet, 2) a 30amp dbl pole main panel w/a reverse polarity indicator, 3) AC circuit breaker panel w/ 1 breaker for each outlet or circuit you want, 4) GFI outlets if outlet is in the head or galley area, 5) triplex boat cable at least 14-3. also, each outlet must be mounted in a box. Adding AC "shore power" can get costly so know your needs before starting, also you MUST follow code and ABYC standards.As far as a second battery, thats straight forward, you'll need 1) a battery selector switch, 2) a multi battery isolator, 3) know your alternators output 4) primary wire etc...Let me suggest 2 books you should read before you start, 1)"sailboat electrics simplified" by Don Casey 2) "boatowners mechanical

 

[Jim B]

Wouldn't "on a boat" make GFI a good idea?

RichShouldn't all receptacles on a boat be GFI regarless whether the in the head and such?Jim

 

[Tom Ehmke]

You can wire receptacles in line after the GFCI

so that when there is a problem in any receptacle governed in the circuit controlled by the GFCI, it will trip. That's how I wired my 272. I have a GFCI in the galley area with an additional receptacle wired behind it above the galley. I also have a GFCI in the head and another wired behind it in the v-berth. There is also one in the quarter berth area which is alone on its circuit. One circuit is dedicated exclusively to the battery charger. By behind, I mean that the feed runs through the GFCI before it runs to the additional receptacles in the circuit. If memory serves me correctly I have 4 circuits onboard and each has no more than two devices on it... certainly not a concern for overloading. However, my shore power demands are minimal.Tom