Re: [AlbinVega] GFI tester, WAS zinc saver

[Claude W.]

Hi John
Yes it is indeed a GFI tester. Actually it is a good one (for a radio shack
product) that "barely" provides the minimum fault for a GFI outlet or
breaker. In other words even a crap GFI breaker can be tripped with enough
of a fault to detect, however the one I mentioned produces a fault that is
2% above the legal testing minimum, and far below any level of "zap" that
you could possibly feel should you decide to stick your elbow into the
outlet. If it wont trip your GFI then either your GFI is not working
correctly, or your boat and or dock are wired incorrectly but thats what the
lights on it are for. If they show correct just replace the breaker.

For the first 18-24 months of GFI production in the US god knows who all in
the world market was making breakers for the latest required part in US
houseolds. MANY if not MOST will not trip until there is enough of a fault
detected to have most of us down on our knees begging god for another chance
with a blade razor holding the electric shaver while standing in the puddle
of water on the floor. If it works to standards you wouldnt feel a thing,
the breaker would repeatedly trip and annoy you.

GFI's are a wonderful thing when it all works well. When it doesn't work
well you can BET there is a problem so don't assume it's a bad GFI breaker
or GFI outlet, find the problem.

Claude
V1460

 

[pelagicasd]

Claude, Would you comment on voltage drop? Friends had a nice boat lost due
to excessive draw on the line leading to their boat. Iy was a cold winter
night and most of the boats on the line were running electric heaters. Their
boat was on the end of the line. A friend measured 80 volts at their dock
box. Their heater overheated at the plug and that started the fire.
I was more fortunate with a similar circumstance. My step-on was living
on Lyric and plugged an electric heater into an extension cord, It melted
the receptacle. He had been to never do that and given the reason why. But
what the heck, he was 16 and knew it all. Judy and I were living on her boat
next to him. I smelled burning plastic and managed to get to it before we
lost Lyric.
We were in a marina that was wired for 20 amp service. I also found that
tennants between us and the and the box on shore had changed their breakers
from 20 to 30 amps because they "needed more power". In all fairness to them
they changed back when they found out that they were putting the boats
further out on the dock at risk.

Walt S/V Lyric #120W." bushpilot@...