Another Shore power question

DPH

DPH

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I really struggle over winter using 16 Amp shore supplies as the heating takes just about all of this on it's own. This means I have to turn the heating of to boil a kettle, use the immersion etc.

Is it possible to get an adapter so I can plug two 16 amp supplies into one 32amp socket and if so where can I get one.
 
Forgive my dopeyness, but you're saying there is a 32A outlet on the shorepower box as well a 16A one?
There's nothing wrong at all with a 32 to two 16s distribution box, as long as there is appropriate circuit breakerage in place, and cable of the correct rating is used.

Now you're going to ask where from which is more of a problem for me.....

Andy
 
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Ah.. Two male 16A plugs to a single 32A socket?



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Yes that's it, I'm sure I've seen someone else do this.

I'd understand if the sockets were on a different phase but if they're on the same one why not?!!

At the moment I keep tripping out the breaker using just one 16A supply.
 
I would if I had Gas HLB but I don't. Neither do I have diesel fired heating.

Both backwards steps from the old boat.
 
Looks like you've got some bits of boat missing then!!

Get gas and diesel heating. Problem solved.

How the hell do you heat the boat when not conected! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Generator, not good is it!

Another benefit of the diesel heating was being able to set a timer so you woke up to a nice warm boat.

Med boat you see, really geared up for air conditioning not heating.
 
You could wire up a complete 2nd supply leading to just a couple of plug sockets in the saloon, and run a 2 kw heater off each socket. Then you could use the boats original supply for kettles etc., or for heating the cabins.
 
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I'd understand if the sockets were on a different phase but if they're on the same one why not?!!


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1) If somebody unplugs one of the two plugs, they'll have live pins in their hand with lethal consequences.

2) Just because you see 4x16A (for example) outlets on a box doesn't mean to say you can draw 64A from it, so putting 2x16A plugs in and presuming you can pull 32A is not the case. Add up all the 13A outlets in your house, and multiply by 13. Resulting number way in excess of the incoming fuse. Its called diversity.

3) I suspect it would invalidate any insurance you may have, so when an electrical fire starts you won't have a leg to stand on. Something along the lines of "using the equipment for the intended purpose" which a 2x16A to 32A bodge lead isn't.

Thats why.

Rant over.

Andy
 
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1) If somebody unplugs one of the two plugs, they'll have live pins in their hand with lethal consequences.


[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, that's a pretty good reason then, thanks.
 
Both listed dealers apper to be out of stock.......... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Good idea though, I think I might get one.
 
....Didn't mean to come across like the electricity police!

Worst example i ever saw was at a private party i was working at. The organiser had a bucking bronco ride in the garden, you know the sort of thing. Anyway, it had a 32A ceeform plug on the end of it, and without any proper distro on site, they had made a 2x13A plug to 1x32A socket, and plugged it into the kitchen ring main. Yes it worked, but......

Andy
 
South coast boatyard with crane connected to a shore power outlet to keep batteries topped up. Our boat was out of the water and my lead wasn't long enough so i thought I'd unplug the crane for 1/2 hour and use the lead as an extension

The crane was fitted with a female socket into which a male blue roving plug was connected. Result was that I was holding a connector with live pins

Pointed this out but AFAIK it's still the same (5 years later)
 
I think you are suggesting one shore power lead to be split into two 16A socket outlets yes? (not two shore power leads connected to one 32 amp outlet...?)
If so the reason this is not a good idea is that the shore power connections on the boat and all the wiring are (most likely) rated at 16 amp. By combining two outlets into one lead you could in theory draw 32 amps and overload everything with a risk of fire. It's unlikely that the sockets on the same shore power pontoon post are on different phases but different posts are very likely to be. Joining them would result in a bang in that case!

check the size of the main shore power circuit breaker on your boat? If it's not 32 amps then it a no no.
 
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