Shore Power Setup

beamreach · May 6, 2010

I've got some pictures in my album with explanations of what was done when I put ours in.

Nik · May 7, 2010

Mike,

What is it you are wanting to do? What parts have you collected? More info will get you better info and response. Do you want a simple 120VAC outlet? Do you want 220 service? Are you thinking of wiring the entire boat? Etc...

Timo42 · May 7, 2010

The minimal system I used is shore power plug, 15amp breaker, and gfi outlet. Mounted the plug in the bulkhead, and the outlet and breaker in a plastic surface mount electrical box. the box is screwed to the underside of the cockpit seat for now, but will be mounted in the bulkhead interior trim panel when I finish building it. I have an adaptor to plug in a 15 amp extension cord to the garage to charge the batteries on the hard. Very handy when working on the boat in the driveway. I used a single gang box, but in retrospect, a doublegang box would be more practical and easier to fit the breaker on the side.

Hawk527 · May 7, 2010

I'm doing it now to my 1988 26D. My shore power is 30a 110v. I want one outlet in my kitchen area and a second under the V-Birth, for a battery charger located there. I have my shore power connector coming thou the hull on the starboard side through the plastic of the window (the one for the head window that is very long and has hull under it) into the area above my kitchen and between the inner liner and the deck. Its where some people put the radio etc. I mounted a 30a 110 beaker with two 15a beakers there too. I took off the dark plastic cover & foam. I opened up the hole & covered it with stained wood so I could mount the stuff on the wood. I ran a Lowe's blue plastic conduit tube down corner of the the head side of the head/kitchen separator to under the kitchen area. I then ran a new watertight extension cord down and under the head to under the v-birth for the charger. For the kitchen plug I used wire-mold and a GFI plug on the kitchen side of the head/kitchen wall. Poking a small hole into the area the beakers were in and coming down to about 6 inches above the kitchen surface for the plug. I hope this helps. If you are interested I could post a parts list with vender's. I'm in the middle of it now and hope to be done next week to launch. We have had some great weather here in upstate NY and I want to get out on the water.

Jon
Jon@JonRickert.com

Hawk527 · May 7, 2010

mdmitch said:
Hawk527 Jon, Can you post some quick pix? I don't want to delay the launch (literally) though.

OK, I will take pictures when I get home from work or tomorrow AM. -- Jon

Doug J · May 7, 2010

I put a shore power inlet in the motorwell, then went to a 110v 30amp double pole circuit breaker on the port side, just inside the companionway. From there I went to a GFCI outlet also on the port side next to the settee. From there to a duplex outlet in the pront of the galley. From that duplex outlet I hardwired a Guest 10A5/5 dual battery charger, and mounted it in the head. Whenever shorepower is plugged in the charger is on. I used that blue flexible conduit up both side of the boat in the coamings, and from the galley overhead to the v-verth where my batteries are located.

I used 10ga 3 wire marine tinned wire from the inlet to the 30a breaker, and everywhere else I used 12ga 3 wire marine tinned wire.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/doug91mac26s/Electronics/

beamreach · May 7, 2010

mdmitch said:
Thanks Beamreach,

Your setup is kind of what I had in mind. I was considering putting the input in the motor well. Had you considered this? If you had and rejected the idea, why?

I wanted the shortest run to my breaker box. Use 10 gauge for this. Also I wanted the driest place I could find. The motor well to me seems a potentionally very wet place, especially if you have a breaking following sea. But the inet recepticle is supposed to have a watertight cover right? What if it's not fastened correctly. Also in the motor well, it's a longer run from the dock's source unless you're backed in which I never do. Also close to the gas tank and wiring in a confined area where there's a battery. Just my thoughts that don't mean doodley but to me, but you asked. Good luck wherever you choose.

oreana123 · May 7, 2010

I have installed two AC systems in a D model Mac. Both times I situated the external plug in the cockpit on the vertical wall just below the center leg of the Starboard cockpit guardrail. There is an access panel below in the berth which will allow access to the backside of thew plug. From there, I route the AC wire to a breaker mounted above the starboard galley seat in the upper liner. From there, and to get the AC power into the lower liner, you can run the AC wire down the channel formed for the chainplate bolts, and lead the wires to outlets wherever.

using a router makes everything look so professional. GFCI IS A MUST. Blue Sea makes a nice single braker panel with reverse polarity light, as well as a power present light. Use marine grade AC wire. . You can get a threaded insert tool from Harbor Freight for the panel mounting screws.

Good luck John S

Doug J · May 10, 2010

Beamreach, I checked out your mods, and I really like your work! But doesn't the shore power inlet get in the way in that location? It would be common to plug in while in a marina, and that is a prime lounging location, can't put cushions there, or lean up against it.

I think locating it in the motor well is okay. While underway the plug is closed and sealed, there's no 110v at that time anyway. The only time it's plugged in is at home on the hard or in a marina! It's a little further but you'll likely get a 50' cord anyway, the boat's only 26'.

beamreach · May 11, 2010

Hi Doug,
I like your work too. Outstanding! It seems all our boats are set up differently to suit our preferences. That's what makes these boats, although cast from the same mould, so diverse in the modifications and personal. The area I put my inlet plug is not an area we ever lounge in because, as the picture shows, there's too much stuff there with halyard lines and jib downhaul and compass. It's just two of us and a little dog and most times just me. The other side is totally open for a cushion and backrest. This is just my opinion and only counts for me, but I look on the motor well as a wet area with potential for anything there to be submerged at some time for example from a following breaking whitecap, not too unusual in the gulf where I sail. Afterall that's why the cockpit is protected by the well. Also the run from the plug to the breaker box should not ecceed 10 feet according to an article by Don Casey on installing shorepower. Where I wanted my panel, I would be pushing that length. I seriously doubt you'll ever have any problem where you put yours and it is certainly out of the way and looking at your work I know the wiring has got to be right. Our boats are only 26 feet but you've got to add another 4 to reach the dock and at least another 4 to keep your bow off the dock and to allow for movement in a spring line setup. With a 50 foot shorepower cord you should be able to work within these parameters and keep the power cord out of the water. Great sailing!

Doug J · May 11, 2010

Well put! I agree with you, everyone does different mods in different ways to suite their preferences, makes it fun to see what others are doing!

With regard to the distance from the motorwell to the 30amp circuit breaker, in case anyone who reads this may be considering the motorwell for the AC inlet. I was aware of Don Casey's recommendation not to exceed 10', I used about 9' of wire, running to the port side bulkhead inside the companionway.

By the way, I love those cushions inside your cabin! Did you have those made? I bet they were expensive.

timebandit · May 11, 2010

I really don't have shore power per se (I have home power) but I did want ac on the boat for the charger.

I have a heavy duty extension cord end wired to a gfi receptical to the battery charger and also to another outlet in the cabin.

The gfi will pop at 15 amps along with it's regular function.

My boat is rigged for little dc and mostly oil and propane .

Just motoring around with the motor putting out 6 amps while waiting for the wind to come up seems to keep the batteries up so that 2 hrs. of running the charger will top them off after 4 days on the water.

beamreach · May 11, 2010

By the way, I love those cushions inside your cabin! Did you have those made? I bet they were expensive.[/quote]

Yes they were expensive! I cut out freezer paper patterns and took them to an upholsterer who specializes in boats and had them made. He used 4" high density foam and covered the bottoms in vinyl and put in zippers. Cost me close to $500. But man do they ever sleep good! You should have seen me and the wife driving home with them in our car! The things were wrapped around our heads, taking up all of the back seats and most of the front. After about 5 miles I asked her "can you still breath?" She said "Just barely!" What a trooper!

Doug J · May 11, 2010

I went to a place with some measurements, we talked about foam options, and fabric etc, they told me it would cost around $800 !!! That was about two years ago, still no new cushions. $500 sounds like a deal, they look great! Funny story about riding in the car with them!

Sumner · May 11, 2010

Doug91Mac26S said:
I went to a place with some measurements, we talked about foam options, and fabric etc, they told me it would cost around $800 !!! That was about two years ago, still no new cushions. $500 sounds like a deal, they look great! Funny story about riding in the car with them!

You might price these guys...

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/

If you send them patterns they will cut to size for a little more. They have good prices and ship free and no sales tax.

We used their Lux High Quality Foam in a 3 inch thickness for the V-berth and for a mattress for the Suburban and tear drop and love it...

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/opencellfoam/opencellfoam.html

We recently bought material from Sailrite for Ruth to make cabin and cockpit cushions. We will use the Lux High Quality for the cabin and ....

http://www.foamreplacement.com/seatcushion/outdoor.html

...their Dryfast foam for the cockpit in a 3 inch thickness. I have to get the foam ordered in the next few days for Ruth.

I think we will come in a little under $700 for the foam and material to cover them for the cabin and cockpit, but that doesn't count any of her time.

c ya,

Sum

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Shore Power Setup

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