Need a good electrician in San Diego ASAP

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Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello all,

So tonight I took my boat out for a very short motor and when I got back to the dock and plugged in the shore power cable I blew a fuse and then got a "reverse polarity" light. There were no problems before I left and nothing happened while I was out. I have torn apart half the boat trying to figure it out with no luck. I am quite ready to say this is above my pay grade. So if anyone knows a really good marine electrician you can point me towards I would appreciate it.

Thanks
-Levin
 
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Hello all,

So tonight I took my boat out for a very short motor and when I got back to the dock and plugged in the shore power cable I blew a fuse and then got a "reverse polarity" light. There were no problems before I left and nothing happened while I was out. I have torn apart half the boat trying to figure it out with no luck. I am quite ready to say this is above my pay grade. So if anyone knows a really good marine electrician you can point me towards I would appreciate it.

Thanks
-Levin
Considering what you have just described....
Check the ends of your shore power cord.....Look for burn marks...Pay special attention to the white nuetral....Its the first to go. Do you make a habit of not turning breaker off at the dock first before unplugging and plugging in.....By not remembering to always turn breakers off at the dock first this will cause arching of plugs and premature power cord failure.
In fact I would do both main on boat and dock. When powering back up I always make sure the main on boat is off before I plug in and turn on the breaker at the dock. Always make sure the cord fittings are properly plugged in and tight.
 

Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Thanks for the reply. I've already checked the shore power cable and there are no burn marks that I can see. I need to check the marina outlet and see if polarity is reversed there but I'd not then it is on my boat and I can't figure out what is causing that. If I had changed something or had something happen while I was out it would make sense. Hence I'm stumped and asking for a referral to a good electrician.

Thanks
-Levin
 
May 25, 2004
446
Catalina 400 mkII Harbor
yes, it sounds like a missing neutral, i had a similar issue. i had to change the wire between the shore connection and the first breaker, which is located in the lazerette that was about 3 feet away from the shore connection

mike
 

Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello again...

I guess a missing neutral could be a possibility but how did it go "missing". Nothing I have been able to find is disconnected (or likely got disconnected in the short time I was out) and I don't see how a wire itself got crossed (unless it burned through but again I have looked most places and have not found a burned wire). With my boat (a Hunter 340... should have said that earlier) the shore power comes in, goes to a old distribution pannel in the starboard lazerete (where the batteries used to be before they were moved inside the boat) and then comes to a switch for the inverter and shorepower before going to the 110 electrical panel proper. That inverter/shorepower switch has a light that indicates "reverse polarity" and when I turn on the power there to the rest of the boat I also get the reverse polarity on my main 110 panel. Also I noticed last night that the green light indicating shorepower on the inverter/shorepower switch seems to come and go in intensity and sometimes (when power is still coming in) it seems to go off altogether. Now if I switch it to the "on" position (sending power to the main circuit panel which I'm keeping off) at a time when it appears to have little or no power on that green LED then it does show good power (and the RP light of course) so I wonder if that has something to do with the problem.

Anyway still could use a good electrician because this really has me baffled.

Take care,
-Levin
 
May 21, 2009
362
Hunter 30 Smithfield, VA
Hello again...

I guess a missing neutral could be a possibility but how did it go "missing". Nothing I have been able to find is disconnected (or likely got disconnected in the short time I was out) and I don't see how a wire itself got crossed (unless it burned through but again I have looked most places and have not found a burned wire).

Anyway still could use a good electrician because this really has me baffled.

Take care,
-Levin
Can't help you with the electrician, but by "missing" he means the neutral isn't properly connected. It could be the receptacle at your shore power station (try cord in different outlet), could be your cord. You can't always tell by looking. Can you borrow a cord? Since the one thing that happened when you went out is that you unplugged the cord and plugged it back in, I'd guess it is the cord at the boat end receptacle. Worn internal pin.
 

Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello again,

Already tried the cord. I have a second shorepower cord that I use for times when I'm away (I always leave my primary one at the dock). I plugged that in and tried it and got the same problem. So have eliminated the shorepower cord as a problem but still haven't eliminated the shorepower itself if it is coming from the dock.

Take care,
-Levin
 
Jan 30, 2012
1,154
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
It is possible you have reverse polarity indication on your boat because the dockside shore-power AC polarity has become reversed.

The marina office should have a polarity tester. Have the marina test your dock power pedestal. Such a fault could be anywhere between your power pedestal and the onshore marina distribution equipment.

If the shore side power checks out, I imagine the marina can refer you to an electrician.

Charles

ps why did you "blow a fuse" and what did that fuse protect?
 
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Hello again,

Already tried the cord. I have a second shorepower cord that I use for times when I'm away (I always leave my primary one at the dock). I plugged that in and tried it and got the same problem. So have eliminated the shorepower cord as a problem but still haven't eliminated the shorepower itself if it is coming from the dock.

Take care,
-Levin
Okay so you have ruled out power cord with another cord. Things like this sometimes will come on very slowly over time when suddenly the problem appears......
Question have you checked all the connections on the back side of your electrical panel? You probably have already but had to ask anyway.
Now to be honest My first thought was when I read inverter/combo was.... it could be that fancy inverter/charger combo thingy.
Can you isolate the inverter/charger combo system out of the loop..... It maybe your problem.
Here are some other ideas. That's if you have not tried already. Do a load test.
Turn everything off on boat. And see if you still have problem. If not then go one by one only having one appliance on at a time. If still okay. Then do it again but gradually loading up the amperage pull by leaving stuff on but one by one till you see a reverse reading.
Next so the marina says and swears they changed nothing.....Your neighbors swear......Hmmmm????....Do you have a new neighbor???
BTW....Once while cruising I was tied up at a different marina for an overnight rest....They barely had 30 amp service. I was able to find a slip for the night that showed good enough power so I could at least run one small heater. At 3am I was suddenly awakened by reverse polarity breaker tripping and alarms going off. Had to run out on deck in the freezing rain and quickly unplug to avoid damage from smoking power pedestal. Looked around and notice a new neighbor had showed up and was plugged into the next slip over. There was an orange suspicious looking power cord. Not only the cord but the whole boat looked jury rigged.:cussing: I undid my lines and said the hell with it.........4 hours later I was home in my own slip sleeping soundly:zzz:

Oh yes almost for got what was that blow fuse? Are there any other hidden fuses ? Did it have anything to do with that,, its in control and you are not fancy,smancy automatic inverter/charger combo ?? .....I once had a 80 model something chevy k5 blazer....There was a "get the first aid kit out first",, hidden and buried fuse somewhere up under the dash that sometimes would mysteriously blow and when it did things would get very,very weird ....Interior lights coming on when doors were closed,power door locks locking and unlocking, headlights on one minute then off, and much much much more...had to use a piece of rubber to to open door or get shocked....The DAMNED thing was haunted!!!
Can you tell were I am going here?
 

Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello again,

So I don't have the fancy inverter/charger combo. I have an "idiot" switch that keeps me from turning on the inverter and the shorepower at the same time. Basically it comes in before the AC main distrubtion pannel and has a switch that turns on the shorepower, and a switch that turns on the inverter and a thing that slides between them to keep you from having both on at the same time. This was the fuse that blew when the I plugged in the shorepower after comming back from my short motor (which was to the pump-out dock for whatever that was worth which is why it was such a short trip yesterday and why it makes no sense something happened while I was out).

In addiition to what else I noticed last night after the fuse blew and the RP light came on intially the RP light began to "die down" to a less intense level (like what I see when I run my Honda generator when out for a week on a moring in Catalina) and I thought maybe it had been nothing and turned on the power again. I got as far as turning on power to the outlets with no problem and then tried swiching on the charger for the batteries and everything blew again and when I turned back on the inverter/shorepower fuse again the RP light was again bright red. I thought this might have meant the problem was in the charger and I unhooked it and took it out of the circut but no luck still have the RP light and now it is staying very bright and I can't turn anything on (even the outlets) without the fuse instantly blowing.

So still very stumpted...

Thanks,
-Levin
 
Jan 30, 2012
1,154
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
In order to fix this annoying problem, it is important that you, the marina, or someone reliable absolutely verify that dockside power is correctly polarized.

Meanwhile, please unplug your shore power cord.

Charles
 

Rick

.
Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
Levin
Try First Watch Marine. They are located at Sunroad Marina. My slipmate just used them to install a really cool serpantine belt system and hi amp alternator. Cant remember the phone number but Marina office should have it.

One more thing which was sort of hit on already. Before you call them. It seems to me by going backwards that you did something when you either unscrewed and twisted your shore power chord or just the opposite when you connected it. Take the few minutes to remover your receptacle (on the boat) and check the wiring on the back. I betcha...

It just has to be something simple. If you missed a big storm or a power outage or had a major short of some kind.. yeah but.... a short motor out and back... hmmmm?

Good luck
 
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Hello again,

So I don't have the fancy inverter/charger combo. I have an "idiot" switch that keeps me from turning on the inverter and the shorepower at the same time. Basically it comes in before the AC main distrubtion pannel and has a switch that turns on the shorepower, and a switch that turns on the inverter and a thing that slides between them to keep you from having both on at the same time. This was the fuse that blew when the I plugged in the shorepower after comming back from my short motor (which was to the pump-out dock for whatever that was worth which is why it was such a short trip yesterday and why it makes no sense something happened while I was out).

In addiition to what else I noticed last night after the fuse blew and the RP light came on intially the RP light began to "die down" to a less intense level (like what I see when I run my Honda generator when out for a week on a moring in Catalina) and I thought maybe it had been nothing and turned on the power again. I got as far as turning on power to the outlets with no problem and then tried swiching on the charger for the batteries and everything blew again and when I turned back on the inverter/shorepower fuse again the RP light was again bright red. I thought this might have meant the problem was in the charger and I unhooked it and took it out of the circut but no luck still have the RP light and now it is staying very bright and I can't turn anything on (even the outlets) without the fuse instantly blowing.

So still very stumpted...

Thanks,
-Levin
Okay...So you mean main double pole breaker not fuse...Right? That's good to hear about the simple more idiot proof inverter / shower power set up breaker switch that's basically what I have but its for Generator /Shore power. Same principle......Which means Generator power or weather its inverter power verses shore power the two shall never meet!!!
Okay you have been running honda suite case generator :doh:.....You may have damaged your grounding isolation system?? I would now bet that,that's it! Main Sail or someone one like him can explain further, on what that's about.
Now as for the charger goes since you had an event happen when it was turned on....The battery charger has a main fuse on the internal circuit board of which I bet is now blown. But the charger is not the problem here. The fuse blew on charger like it was suppose to. So as too protect charger.
 

Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello again...

Rick, already checked the receptical where I plug the shore-power into the boat (actually was the first thing I checked) and it all looks good. I cant see anything shorted, burned or otherwise out of place and everything appears to be still connected. I still do need to check out the dock side power (which I will do later tonight after I get out of work) but assuming that isn't the problem then I'm still very confused. I'm pretty good at trouble shooting things and this one has me stumped. Anyway thanks for the referal to the electrican. Will be good to have on hand in case I can't figure this one out.

Take care,
-Levin
 
Jan 30, 2012
1,154
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
Levin

Obviously we are all a fair distance away and what we offer are but guesses still:

1. Can you think of any set of facts that could cause a reverse polarity indicator to light up - except a reverse polarity condition?

2. If there is only one set of conditions that could make the reverse lamp light - that means the white lead has become hot.

3. Such a reverse polarity condition will cause your main breaker to constantly trip IF the green and white conductor are connected anyplace on your boat. A green/white connection on the boat is a no-no. This no-no connection could be in the panel (a wiring goof); inside an 110AC appliance like battery charger, air conditioner, water heater; possibly through something plugged into a receptacle like a microwave, toaster oven, what-have-you.

The polarity situation gets fixed first. The possible green/white connection can wait.
 
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Levin

.
Apr 7, 2007
165
Hunter 340 San Diego
Hello all,

So last night I figured it out. There is an old panel in the back of the starboard lazerette which used to be where the batteries were located. When I moved the batteries inside I mostly disconnected this panel however the shore power still comes to 30 amp breaker on the panel before going inside to the "idiot switch" I mentioned above. Long story short the neutral wires on the breaker had corroded and hence the reverse polarity light. I re-spliced the wires to new connectors and everything is working again.

So thanks so much for everyone who chimed in with ideas because they saved me from paying someone to do what I was able to do myself.

Take care
-Levin
 

Rick

.
Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
Excellent Levin. Always pays to stay focused on what events occured right before the problem. Sorta like being a detective!

Happy sails
 
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Hello all,

So last night I figured it out. There is an old panel in the back of the starboard lazerette which used to be where the batteries were located. When I moved the batteries inside I mostly disconnected this panel however the shore power still comes to 30 amp breaker on the panel before going inside to the "idiot switch" I mentioned above. Long story short the neutral wires on the breaker had corroded and hence the reverse polarity light. I re-spliced the wires to new connectors and everything is working again.

So thanks so much for everyone who chimed in with ideas because they saved me from paying someone to do what I was able to do myself.

Take care
-Levin
:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:
 

kenn

.
Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
Hello all,

So last night I figured it out. There is an old panel in the back of the starboard lazerette which used to be where the batteries were located. When I moved the batteries inside I mostly disconnected this panel however the shore power still comes to 30 amp breaker on the panel before going inside to the "idiot switch" I mentioned above. Long story short the neutral wires on the breaker had corroded and hence the reverse polarity light. I re-spliced the wires to new connectors and everything is working again.

So thanks so much for everyone who chimed in with ideas because they saved me from paying someone to do what I was able to do myself.

Take care
-Levin
excellent. You saved a buck, but more importantly you gained some familiarity and experience with the system.
 
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