We Finally made the purchase of our first sailboat, a 1998 Hunter 26. Though the boat is in great shape, the previous owner didn't install very much in the way of equipment or instrumentation. So, I need to install or have installed a variety of new components. One of the main projects is to install Shorepower. I have asked around and have heard as many tales about how to do it properly as you could imagine. What can I expect as far as cost for installation of a complete shorepower system with hard wired battery charger? I am planning on a Truecharge 20 charger at about $300.00. This is the one project I would not feel comfortable with as a DIY, don't think I could sleep worrying about how I grounded the boat wiring. Thanks for the help, J. R.
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Congradulations on your new boat. Most any compitent electrican could install what your looking for. However, Your would need to install the following: Shore power outlet Curcuit breaker panel Associated wire Battery charger Shore power cord Your probably talking $400-$500 in just parts. Your battery on the boat currently probably only runs cabin lights and running lights, perhaps a knot meter and depth sounder. Does your outboard have an altenator? Any how, probably a cheaper way to go would be a solar battery charger to top off your batteries when baot is not in use, and rig up your outboard to charge your batteries while under way. When I had my H23 I had 2 batteries, kept 1 on the boat and one at home and would charge it up there. Would exchange them every couple of months depending on boat use. Just a thought about alternatives.
Our Shore Power is ..
Our shore power is a heavy guage electrical wire plugged into a high end computer strip socket. We have run an airconditioner and other appliances off it for 2 years now. Am I doing something dangerous?
Our shore power is a heavy guage electrical wire plugged into a high end computer strip socket. We have run an airconditioner and other appliances off it for 2 years now. Am I doing something dangerous?
Dangerous, yeah, probably
Funny this topic should come up... Just last night I finished reading Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified" and would recommend it highly to anyone who knows nothing about boat electronics (which is why I got it!) While I can't speak to the cost of installing a shore power system, I certainly confirm the 'worry' the original poster had about grounding. Also, from reading the archives on this subject, find an electrician that knows MARINE wiring -- it is different in many aspects from house wiring. If you've ever seen "stray" wiring in a house basement, then imagined that same setup running inside your boat (where you can't reach it easily, where it can get wet, where it can fray, short and start a fire) you'll understand what I mean. I always took my shore power for granted. We use our boat as a mini-cabin at the slip as much as a sailboat, so solar was never an option (I'm from the Tim-The-Toolman generation - *more power - grunt grunt!*.) I used to just plug the big cord into the boat, then the dock, turn on the 'stuff' and didn't worry. Know that I understand it a little better, I'll be doing some serious peeking at the boat and dock wiring, as well as testing for stray current in the water around the boat (a danger I wasn't even aware of!) Growing up, you know not to have the hairdryer too close to the bathtub. Then you get big and plug a big ol' electrical cord into something sitting in the water... hmmm.
According to Don, using an extension cord for your shore power is fraught with danger -- and if you're running AC on that cord you may be overloading the wiring. You may be just fine, but you may wake up to that 'strange smell of plastic melting on fiberglas.' It's probably not the best way to go. I learned a lot from Don's book and while (like most 'expert books') it scared me a bit to read what could go wrong, I appreciate his intent. If nothing else, it's another thing to add to the 'pre-launch to-do' list. Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
Funny this topic should come up... Just last night I finished reading Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified" and would recommend it highly to anyone who knows nothing about boat electronics (which is why I got it!) While I can't speak to the cost of installing a shore power system, I certainly confirm the 'worry' the original poster had about grounding. Also, from reading the archives on this subject, find an electrician that knows MARINE wiring -- it is different in many aspects from house wiring. If you've ever seen "stray" wiring in a house basement, then imagined that same setup running inside your boat (where you can't reach it easily, where it can get wet, where it can fray, short and start a fire) you'll understand what I mean. I always took my shore power for granted. We use our boat as a mini-cabin at the slip as much as a sailboat, so solar was never an option (I'm from the Tim-The-Toolman generation - *more power - grunt grunt!*.) I used to just plug the big cord into the boat, then the dock, turn on the 'stuff' and didn't worry. Know that I understand it a little better, I'll be doing some serious peeking at the boat and dock wiring, as well as testing for stray current in the water around the boat (a danger I wasn't even aware of!) Growing up, you know not to have the hairdryer too close to the bathtub. Then you get big and plug a big ol' electrical cord into something sitting in the water... hmmm.
According to Don, using an extension cord for your shore power is fraught with danger -- and if you're running AC on that cord you may be overloading the wiring. You may be just fine, but you may wake up to that 'strange smell of plastic melting on fiberglas.' It's probably not the best way to go. I learned a lot from Don's book and while (like most 'expert books') it scared me a bit to read what could go wrong, I appreciate his intent. If nothing else, it's another thing to add to the 'pre-launch to-do' list. Dave Crowley s/v Wind DreamerHere We Go Again
There was a long and almost heated discussion on this about a year ago, check the archives. Some one was using a device called a "Shock Buster" (a heavy gauge extension cord with a GFI built in) to provide power to his boat. What was agreed to by all it seemed was that you want to be sure you have a GFI and that you check the polarity. The GFI extension cord and one of those plug in receptacle testers can do the job adequately or you can spend some real big bucks to just plug in your battery charger. As for the battery charger, $300 seems like a lot more charger than you need on a boat this size. I have a Guest 2 bank 3 stage charger that I paid about a hundred and a half for. You may have a lot more DC stuff than do I but mine has worked great for me the last three years.
There was a long and almost heated discussion on this about a year ago, check the archives. Some one was using a device called a "Shock Buster" (a heavy gauge extension cord with a GFI built in) to provide power to his boat. What was agreed to by all it seemed was that you want to be sure you have a GFI and that you check the polarity. The GFI extension cord and one of those plug in receptacle testers can do the job adequately or you can spend some real big bucks to just plug in your battery charger. As for the battery charger, $300 seems like a lot more charger than you need on a boat this size. I have a Guest 2 bank 3 stage charger that I paid about a hundred and a half for. You may have a lot more DC stuff than do I but mine has worked great for me the last three years.
Thanks Rick...
Rick, I'm pretty new to this forum - I certainly didn't want to start a firestorm if this topic has been hit on (again, and again.) Dave
Rick, I'm pretty new to this forum - I certainly didn't want to start a firestorm if this topic has been hit on (again, and again.) Dave
Another good book
The 12 Volt Bible for Boats by Miner Brotherton. As the name implies, it covers the 12 volt system on your boat, but has a section on shore power and sections on chargers (solar, wind, water etc.) Isolators, altenators, generators, AC converters/chargers and alot more. Has a pretty decent chapter on troublshooting also. The author does a good job of putting it all in laymans terms for us.
The 12 Volt Bible for Boats by Miner Brotherton. As the name implies, it covers the 12 volt system on your boat, but has a section on shore power and sections on chargers (solar, wind, water etc.) Isolators, altenators, generators, AC converters/chargers and alot more. Has a pretty decent chapter on troublshooting also. The author does a good job of putting it all in laymans terms for us.
My Setup
I got scared too. But there is no need to be. Though being concerned is a good thing. Someone last time started spouting off about Industry Standards and never backing them up with facts like what the standards are. I have and continue to use a heavy gauge extension cord to run 110 to my boat. I use nothing with a metal case, nothing that is hard wired and don't try to run everything at once. My neighbor is a Master Electrician and reviewed my dock and boat set up he does not think there is any inherent danger so long as I only use double insulated items and keep everything in good shape. I have a GFI on the dock, a GFI extension cord and only use it for a charger, a carry on hatch air conditioner a couple of lights and a power tool from time to time. The dock is behind my house and I am the only one plugged into the power so I have pretty good control there. I check the GFI and the polarity on a regular basis and just don't do anything I would not do in the bathroom like stand barefooted on a wet floor and blow dry my hair. Of course I have not needed a blow dryer for the last 30 years anyway. Just be aware that with AC power either side can have juice and 110 is enough to stop your heart. Stay Safe Sam
I got scared too. But there is no need to be. Though being concerned is a good thing. Someone last time started spouting off about Industry Standards and never backing them up with facts like what the standards are. I have and continue to use a heavy gauge extension cord to run 110 to my boat. I use nothing with a metal case, nothing that is hard wired and don't try to run everything at once. My neighbor is a Master Electrician and reviewed my dock and boat set up he does not think there is any inherent danger so long as I only use double insulated items and keep everything in good shape. I have a GFI on the dock, a GFI extension cord and only use it for a charger, a carry on hatch air conditioner a couple of lights and a power tool from time to time. The dock is behind my house and I am the only one plugged into the power so I have pretty good control there. I check the GFI and the polarity on a regular basis and just don't do anything I would not do in the bathroom like stand barefooted on a wet floor and blow dry my hair. Of course I have not needed a blow dryer for the last 30 years anyway. Just be aware that with AC power either side can have juice and 110 is enough to stop your heart. Stay Safe Sam
Shore Power & Don Casey
I've just completed adding an additional battery and shore power to my H260. It cost about $800 before I was done. My bible also was Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified". He covers everything you you could think of and after my third reading I really felt confident about what I was doing. It acutally was fun because I took my time and felt that Don was looking over my shoulder all the time. I also learned a lot about how my boat is put together and now have a strong foundation for future AC and DC electrical upgrades.
I've just completed adding an additional battery and shore power to my H260. It cost about $800 before I was done. My bible also was Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified". He covers everything you you could think of and after my third reading I really felt confident about what I was doing. It acutally was fun because I took my time and felt that Don was looking over my shoulder all the time. I also learned a lot about how my boat is put together and now have a strong foundation for future AC and DC electrical upgrades.
You might get an idea
from what I did on a Hunter 260. Look on the photo forum under A/C on a 260. Good Luck and have fun
from what I did on a Hunter 260. Look on the photo forum under A/C on a 260. Good Luck and have fun
Thank you for the help
This has always been a great source for information. During the past 2 years I have tried to study as much as possible, knowing that the Hunter 26 was the boat we wanted. Thank you for all the info, and I'll be heading off to the store to buy Don Casey's book. Even if only to spec out the project with the Marine Electrician. The number of $800.00-$1,000.00 sounds about what I expected, was just hoping I was wrong. Thanks again, J. R.
This has always been a great source for information. During the past 2 years I have tried to study as much as possible, knowing that the Hunter 26 was the boat we wanted. Thank you for all the info, and I'll be heading off to the store to buy Don Casey's book. Even if only to spec out the project with the Marine Electrician. The number of $800.00-$1,000.00 sounds about what I expected, was just hoping I was wrong. Thanks again, J. R.
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