I hooked up my shore power today and noticed that when I turned something on that was plugged into an outlet, the breaker tripped. I have the AC switch on and the outlet switch on. Is there some obvious thing that I am forgetting (possible since this is my first boat)? When I had the survey done, the outlets checked out fine.
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MARINA PROBLEM LIKELY
Tom: I'm certainly NO expert on electricity (just ask my wife!), but it looks like the problem isn't yours but with the power at the shore box. Before you throw the AC main switch on the boat, have you checked to ensure the reverse polarity light on your panel isn't illuminated? If it is, then the problem is either with the source power (dock) or somehow (I don't know how) in your power cord. I have a tester which I purchased at the local hardware store that you simply plug into a socket and through a series of lights, tells me if there is a problem and (sometimes) what the problem is. Of course, with a 30amp plug, you may have to use a 30 to 15 amp converter and then plug into that. I would tell the marina manager and get him to look into the problem. Good luck and smooth sailing! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE")
Tom: I'm certainly NO expert on electricity (just ask my wife!), but it looks like the problem isn't yours but with the power at the shore box. Before you throw the AC main switch on the boat, have you checked to ensure the reverse polarity light on your panel isn't illuminated? If it is, then the problem is either with the source power (dock) or somehow (I don't know how) in your power cord. I have a tester which I purchased at the local hardware store that you simply plug into a socket and through a series of lights, tells me if there is a problem and (sometimes) what the problem is. Of course, with a 30amp plug, you may have to use a 30 to 15 amp converter and then plug into that. I would tell the marina manager and get him to look into the problem. Good luck and smooth sailing! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE")
Shore Power CB
Had the same thing a couple of weeks ago. I used a multimeter to check the power output at the pedestal and found that it was the problem even though the pedestal even though the circuit breaker had not tripped. I simply switched the shore power cord to the other side of the pedestal and that corrected the problem.
Had the same thing a couple of weeks ago. I used a multimeter to check the power output at the pedestal and found that it was the problem even though the pedestal even though the circuit breaker had not tripped. I simply switched the shore power cord to the other side of the pedestal and that corrected the problem.
Main 110 switch
I was having the same problem last summer, in June the 110 main power switch kicked out and could not be reset. The new switch took 6 weeks and $75.00 to arrive but did indeed fix the problem. Like some of your advisers I checked the shore power but the meter always said everything was OK and my neighbors had no problems. the old switch lasted 18 years, not bad. The switch is made through AIRPAX in Cambridge, MD. 410-228-4600. They want you to buy through a retailer. There are several that require 8 to 10 weeks and up to $115.00. However, try an outfit called West Guard, 1-800-554-8866. Oh! the correct part number is UPG62-6149-3, you'll find it on the side of the switch. Leave the old switch connected until the new one arrives, it's real easy to forget where the wires connect in six weeks. It's an easy problem to correct yourself just remember to disconnect from shorepower while you replace the old switch, Good luck
I was having the same problem last summer, in June the 110 main power switch kicked out and could not be reset. The new switch took 6 weeks and $75.00 to arrive but did indeed fix the problem. Like some of your advisers I checked the shore power but the meter always said everything was OK and my neighbors had no problems. the old switch lasted 18 years, not bad. The switch is made through AIRPAX in Cambridge, MD. 410-228-4600. They want you to buy through a retailer. There are several that require 8 to 10 weeks and up to $115.00. However, try an outfit called West Guard, 1-800-554-8866. Oh! the correct part number is UPG62-6149-3, you'll find it on the side of the switch. Leave the old switch connected until the new one arrives, it's real easy to forget where the wires connect in six weeks. It's an easy problem to correct yourself just remember to disconnect from shorepower while you replace the old switch, Good luck
There's one ossibility y'all have overlooked...
99% of boats only have a single 30amp 115v circuit ...the air conditioning draws about 17 when the compressor is running (and spikes way up each time the compressor cycles on)...the fridge (if he has refrigeration) draws a bit...so if thing else with a big draw--for instance, the water heater, which draws 10-11--is also on, that circuit is maxed out. Turn on anything else that draws more than 2-3 amp--which just about limits you to a lightbulb, and the main breaker blows. Till I bought a boat that had two 30a circuits, I was constantly making choices while working in the galley...turn off the water heater long enough to run the blender...turn off everything else to run the toaster oven, the microwave and the electric skillet at the same time. Turn 'em back on when I'm done. You get used to it.
99% of boats only have a single 30amp 115v circuit ...the air conditioning draws about 17 when the compressor is running (and spikes way up each time the compressor cycles on)...the fridge (if he has refrigeration) draws a bit...so if thing else with a big draw--for instance, the water heater, which draws 10-11--is also on, that circuit is maxed out. Turn on anything else that draws more than 2-3 amp--which just about limits you to a lightbulb, and the main breaker blows. Till I bought a boat that had two 30a circuits, I was constantly making choices while working in the galley...turn off the water heater long enough to run the blender...turn off everything else to run the toaster oven, the microwave and the electric skillet at the same time. Turn 'em back on when I'm done. You get used to it.
Happens to me occassionally also...
My AC is dedicated to the "B" side of the electrical panel on the boat. Everything else is on the "A" side. When I hook up to shore power after being out overnight, the battery charger comes on (15amps), Hot water heater (10amps) and refer (10amps). when all that stuff runs at the same time the breaker on the boat panel will trip after 30 seconds or so. I use the power share feature on the inverter control panel to reduce the draw of the battery charger and that takes care of the problem.
My AC is dedicated to the "B" side of the electrical panel on the boat. Everything else is on the "A" side. When I hook up to shore power after being out overnight, the battery charger comes on (15amps), Hot water heater (10amps) and refer (10amps). when all that stuff runs at the same time the breaker on the boat panel will trip after 30 seconds or so. I use the power share feature on the inverter control panel to reduce the draw of the battery charger and that takes care of the problem.
I had this problem once....
And it was simply the power plug at the shore end not in completely, once in no problem
And it was simply the power plug at the shore end not in completely, once in no problem
GFI Breaker?
Not likely, but another possibility is that someone installed a GFI Circuit Breaker. In that case if there is a leak somewhere and an outlet is getting wet, the breaker will trip. Actually, installing GFI outlets is a good idea; I plan to make that one of my winter projects this year.
Not likely, but another possibility is that someone installed a GFI Circuit Breaker. In that case if there is a leak somewhere and an outlet is getting wet, the breaker will trip. Actually, installing GFI outlets is a good idea; I plan to make that one of my winter projects this year.
get a tester
spend a few bucks at a local hardware and get a litle three prong GFI tester. They have little lights that lighht up (or don't) that will tell you immediately if something is wrong witht he hookup and exactly what it is. i leave mine plugged in all the time into an outlet and check it every time I hook to shore power, one type alos has abutton that provides a check test for your GFI. Push the button and see if teh GFI trips liek it is supposed too. best $5.00 bucks you can spend for peace of mind.
spend a few bucks at a local hardware and get a litle three prong GFI tester. They have little lights that lighht up (or don't) that will tell you immediately if something is wrong witht he hookup and exactly what it is. i leave mine plugged in all the time into an outlet and check it every time I hook to shore power, one type alos has abutton that provides a check test for your GFI. Push the button and see if teh GFI trips liek it is supposed too. best $5.00 bucks you can spend for peace of mind.
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