Shore Power - Thanks

MickP

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Nov 20, 2012
65
Hunter 33 Charleston
Just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful advice i have received from the forum on this project...I now have working shore power on the boat.

Previously, the wire from the shore power split to two smaller wires which were connected directly to the (non GFCI) outlets on either side of the boat. I didn't dare plug in the shore power cable.

I stripped this out, installed a circuit breaker and galvanic isolator next to the shore power inlet. Put in an AC switch panel and replaced the first outlets either side with GFCI protected outlets. Tested as per Nigel Calder's instructions, plugged in, and we now have power. Trickiest bit was making a new teak outlet cover after snapping the previous one whilst trying to adapt it to the GFCI outlet
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Welcome to the club. Ours was originally wired with 12/3 solid conductor wire and rusting metal household electrical boxes. When I asked the seller about this he said "Don't worry about wiring, by brother put it in and he does stuff right." So I knew I had to re-wire it.

I just didn't realize I would be re-doing all the DC too. There was no power wire in the entire boat longer than about 18 inches without multiple splices in it. The splices were wires twisted together and maybe some black tape wrapped around it. I'm amazed I found no evidence of burned wire or burned connections. I should have token pictures to present a what not to do guide.

Ken
 
Nov 11, 2011
12
Catalina 30 Sitka
Ken- that brothe-electrician gets around. I think he rewired by boat in Alaska before it came into my hands.
 
May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Please advise spec on 115 AC rewire project. I'm doing that next after 35 years of contemplating the fire I haven't had ...YET!
Thanks
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
??????????????

Please advise spec on 115 AC rewire project. I'm doing that next after 35 years of contemplating the fire I haven't had ...YET!
Thanks
I'm not sure what you're after here. It's really pretty simple until you start looking at details.
If you have a specific question, you can be sure to get answers to the best of our collective knowledge. Of course it may only be worth what you paid for it too.
Ken
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,348
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Gee, I've been sailing for 35+ years, and here since 1983 with a C22, 1987 with a C25 and 1998 with our C34, haven't had one yet.

What are you talking about?

We also use a trawler lamp, CNG (some have propane), gas (for the outboard), diesel for the engine, and all sorts of cleaning stuff. :eek::eek::eek:

Just a bloody toxic waste dump waiting to happen. :):):)
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,936
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I installed a new bilge pump this week. There running from my bus is is the "normal" looking wires that then go into a tapped mass of about 40 wires. And running throughout the boat is a similarly large number of wires. My best guess is that when something shorted, a previous owner ran a new line and left the old ones in place just cut the ends. Then tapped the new lines to the old ones. I keep running into wires that go no where. But every thing works. This winters project will be to rip out all of the old electric lines and redo it ... just so I can know what is what.
 
May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Please spec wire used for ac rewire project that (I think) you did.
I can't find a video for 115 volt re-wiring, only 12 volt.
Original related thread dealt with fire possibility with old shore power connection and old solid wiring.
Thanks