55 mm. shore power???

Bav34

Bav34

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The standard size of a shore power socket (as in the photo below) is 45 mm.

Whilst tidying the boat today I found two 55 mm. male shore power sockets connected by a short cable to 45 mm female sockets.

Plug2.jpg


They had been left on board by the previous owner.

Any idea what/where they are for?


Also, many moons ago I made a connector like those shown above for when I went to France. It has a two pin male socket / three pin female socket which converted French electricity into English /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

All the French marinas that we have visited over the last few years have three pin connections.

Are the two pin connectors now obsolete?

Thanks
 
I think you will find that the smaller, more usual one, is rated at 16 amps and the larger is 32 amps.

Hang onto the larger one, the odd marina has this size outlet and it could be useful.

I haven't seen a two pin o/let in France for a long time - that doesn't mean to say there aren't any left though !!!
 
These single phase blue three pin outdoor sockets are standard 210V ( since all voltages are now slightly reduced) and are for 16amp and 32amp capacity
PS Yellow clours are for 110V safety tool appliances from centre tapped transformers
Red colours are for 420V three phase ( was 440V)

You can get 'specials' such as four pin sockets. In marinas these sockets are fitted are to prevent unauthorised plug in in by people having standard sockets - you have to pay to get a 4 pin to 3 pin converter.

I have blue 32A to 16A converters like yours in case I come across higher power supply sockets for bigger craft such as as Gunwarfe Quay.
Also have some 4 pins jobs for those sneaky marinas.

Brian
 
I now have a cable with each, and a couple of spares so I can make an extension for each aswell.

I've found marinas across the Med which use both.
 
Stayed for a couple of nights in a marina in Veurne, Belgium this year, they had the larger 32amp sockets and i had to rent an adaptor just as you described. The irony was if you drew more than 6amps it all tripped out !!
 
Re: 55 mm. shore power??? Beware!

I'm not sure how, and if both male connectors are wired, but it could be a very dangerous configuration, with a set of live pins left exposed when the alternate connector is in use.

Pls., Be prudent.

Paul
 
Re: 55 mm. shore power??? Beware!

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure how, and if both male connectors are wired, but it could be a very dangerous configuration, with a set of live pins left exposed when the alternate connector is in use.


[/ QUOTE ]

In the picture it looks like both male connectors are wired into oine female connector, but the words refer to female connectors plural.... I assumed that there were 2 male and 2 female connectors, and 2 wires... i.e. 2 separate adaptors.
 
Re: 55 mm. shore power??? Beware!

[/ QUOTE ]

I assumed that there were 2 male and 2 female connectors, and 2 wires... i.e. 2 separate adaptors.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Not really, just harmonisation coming into effect. It is just a statutory target voltage which is allowed to swing within certain limits. Frequency has similar targets and tolerances. Interestingly the more local wind farms etc are plugged into the local distribution networks the harder these targets become to get right.

And actual voltage at your plug depends on the overall load on the final distribution transformer and the tap setting plus length of cable twist that and your plug

I understand the next BS will increase the Volt drop allowance from the present quite strict allowance on final circuits.

And of course it all depends on the local REC network being ok. We were getting less than 360V on our nominal 410 V three phase last year in one of our locations after network failures - all the standby generators started due to low voltage.

Brian
 
I think Stork the Third was referring to BH's earlier post:

[ QUOTE ]

You can get 'specials' such as four pin sockets. In marinas these sockets are fitted are to prevent unauthorised plug in in by people having standard sockets - you have to pay to get a 4 pin to 3 pin converter.
<snip>
Also have some 4 pins jobs for those sneaky marinas.

[/ QUOTE ]

implying that he "steals" elec from those marinas who have 4pin sockets ...

TBH Stork - the actual amount of elec used is tiny ... when we visit a marina we are usually invited to spend between £3 and £5 on an electricity hookup.... with pence per KWH being less than 10p which then gives rather a large contribution to the maintenance cost ... especially if you only have a 500w inverter, an energy saving lamp and a kettle !!

as a slight Fred Thrift ... the new "meters" in Chi Marina - anyone tell me what they actually tell you ... I put our code in and press the * key to get the "balance" and it tells me 00003 ... and has done ever since we plugged in ... 2 1/2 weeks ago! despite running the battery charger and dehumidifier ...
 
Fireball, correct quote of BH post but later not earlier.

Whilst I agree Electricity hook up charges by Marinas are somewhat high, it is still theft if only pence. I don't like Income Tax but evasion of Tax due is still illegal.

Big Mobo in my marina, now gone thankfully, had a 4 pin hook through meter for when left all week, using battery trickle consumption, but as soon as arrived Friday night, out comes the old 4 pin, non-metered to drive the freezer, AC, water heater etc. I suppose having spent best part of £500,000 grand on boat and probably a few £100s when he bothered to take it out, no money left for paying for his electricity use. Its still theft.
 
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