O'day 25 - Shore Power

[autocad]

Hi, I'm updating the "shorepower" currently installed on my 75 O'day 25. The current setup looks like a previous owner's bad diy project. There's currently a female(!) 30amp plug installed in the side of the cockpit wired with romex (and electrical tape) to a single duplex outlet. The "shorepower" cord was a household extension cord with a 30amp adapter (and electrical tape of course). I have since purchased the correct type of locking power inlet and an actual UL listed cord. The one outlet is strictly used for low draw items like phone chargers, a small flat screen TV for the kids, etc. My question is this: What other electrical equip do I need to install (breakers, GFCI outlet, etc.)?

Thanks!
Kevin

 

[Ward H]

Kevin,
When I bought my 25, I thought I would need to install shore power but did not really want to add another system to my boat.
So I asked myself how much overnighting would I really be doing at the dock. Turns out not much. When I do I just run in a heavy duty extension cord.
I'm putting my money into some DC outlets for 12v appliances and adding a 2nd battery. I think I will get more out of that than an AC system.
Just because a previous only had it doesn't mean you need it.

If I did want to add shore power, I would look into one of these kits.
https://www.ezacdc.com/boat-wiring-products/marine-electrical-shore-power/

Looks like an easy way to add an AC power system to a boat.

I'll let the experts handle what components you need for your situation.

 

[Brian S]

Before you proceed with this project, you need to do a helluva lot more research.

You might start with Don Casey's book "Sailboat Electrics Simplified" http://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497

You also should read MaineSail's (RC Collins) website and forum thoroughly: http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=135
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects

I know other people who feel that this is not enough, and that if you don't want to burn down your boat, you'll have a competent professional marine electrician do the work properly for you.

 

[Sunbird22358]

One thing is to get rid of every inch of "romex" or other household wiring in the boat. If you choose to install a proper Marine shorepower setup, use proper marine-grade wiring, that will be multi-stranded, not solid conductor like romex. I'd follow the advice above to consult Don Casey's book, a GFCI should be in the circuit for protection and proper grounding needs to be installed.
Second option, can those small battery chargers and the flat-screen be DC powered?

 

[autocad]

I've got Casey's "This Old Boat" and have started reading up on the subject. If the AC does not interface with DC in any way; and the AC runs to just 1 outlet; about (18" from the shorepower inlet to the duplex outlet) what if any special grounding is needed?

Thanks

 

[Brian S]

There is another option, for super simple A/C shore power on a boat. This will provide just 2 A/C plugs: http://www.leftcoast.biz/iWeb/Left_Coast/AC_deck_plate.html

If I were going to do one of these, I would contact Left Coast, and ask if they could make it with a Smart Plug http://smartplug.com/marine_30amp.html instead of the regular horrible 1938 NEMA L5-30 plug system which has been a sub-par standard for far too long. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_smart_plug

 

[autocad]

Thanks for the link. That's basically what I have; a shore power inlet hard wired to one GFCI duplex outlet, I would just need to add a dual leg breaker panel. No grounding or connections to the DC system.

There is another option, for super simple A/C shore power on a boat. This will provide just 2 A/C plugs: http://www.leftcoast.biz/iWeb/Left_Coast/AC_deck_plate.html

If I were going to do one of these, I would contact Left Coast, and ask if they could make it with a Smart Plug http://smartplug.com/marine_30amp.html instead of the regular horrible 1938 NEMA L5-30 plug system which has been a sub-par standard for far too long. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_smart_plug