Beneteau mains sockets conversion

[BelleSerene]

I shall be doing so too - as soon as I get round to replacing the continental things. Manufacturers never put enough power sockets on boats. I shall be replacing most, if not all, the continental sockets with UK 13A sockets, and will be adding several more at floor level to power fan heaters and dehumidifiers. I shall also be adding a couple of 13A sockets in the cockpit to power laptops. But, for now, I'm having to rely on adaptors and the combination of a proper Schuko plug with a proper 13A trailing socket seems to be far more successful than those little adaptors that you get in airport departure lounges.

I'm going the other way. I really heard Gymnopedie's comment not to use travel adapters for high-current applications, and he's clearly right. Although I haven't (knowingly!) had over-heating problems, it made me scared about two of mine. So I've ordered a couple of Schuko plugs online and I'll be rewiring and the fan heater that sometimes gets used in winter, and the mains extension lead I use for other purposes on board, to plug straight into Beneteau's Type E sockets. I am happy with the travel adapters for the other uses which are for trickle charging, mobile phones etc - only really because I can't be bothered to/ can't afford to rewire them all for UK sockets.

 

[maby]

I'm going the other way. I really heard Gymnopedie's comment not to use travel adapters for high-current applications, and he's clearly right. Although I haven't (knowingly!) had over-heating problems, it made me scared about two of mine. So I've ordered a couple of Schuko plugs online and I'll be rewiring and the fan heater that sometimes gets used in winter, and the mains extension lead I use for other purposes on board, to plug straight into Beneteau's Type E sockets. I am happy with the travel adapters for the other uses which are for trickle charging, mobile phones etc - only really because I can't be bothered to/ can't afford to rewire them all for UK sockets.

I think it depends entirely on your pattern of usage. We have always been semi-liveaboard and are now spending ever increasing amounts of time on the boat. I'm sitting in the cockpit now working on my laptop - and we need far more power outlets than are normally installed on boats. Hence, I will install additional sockets and convert most, if not all, the OEM installed sockets to 13A.

 

[RupertW]

I changed all the 'French' sockets on my new Beneteau Oceanis . Simply swapped the original for standard (double)
13amp sockets. Cut out the panelling to fit No problems at all

I did exactly the same - cheap standard B&Q double sockets with lights on the switches as I like to know what is live and what isn't. Although the boat moves around the Med we have brought all our gadgets from the UK and our guests are mostly UK based too so bring their stuff. We do have a couple of adapters for tradespeople who expect to see Greek or Italian or whatever sockets when they work on the boat.

 

[neil1967]

Take the point about travel adaptors not being suitable, but you can certainly get more robust adaptors - we live in the Netherlands and got a job lot of 10A adaptors before we left to convert from the European socket to UK plugs.

 

[maby]

Take the point about travel adaptors not being suitable, but you can certainly get more robust adaptors - we live in the Netherlands and got a job lot of 10A adaptors before we left to convert from the European socket to UK plugs.

These are what I use : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schuko-E...rentrq:be3931221620ab6bf8dc0308fffa543b|iid:1

 

[Deltaromeopapa]

For information I have found Jeanneau do not only use Berker sockets if at all, but use C-Line modular system. Whilst they look similar they are a slightly different size, cheaper than Berker and available online from caravan dealers.
C-Line have 46mm fixing spacing and 60mm faceplate size, they rely on a back box for the faceplate to clip onto. Berker hole spacing is a feww mm smaller.
Check which you have before rushing off to buy replacements.

 

[jwilson]

For information I have found Jeanneau do not only use Berker sockets if at all, but use C-Line modular system. Whilst they look similar they are a slightly different size, cheaper than Berker and available online from caravan dealers.
C-Line have 46mm fixing spacing and 60mm faceplate size, they rely on a back box for the faceplate to clip onto. Berker hole spacing is a feww mm smaller.
Check which you have before rushing off to buy replacements.

On my 2005 Jeanneau I have recently replaced the French sockets with these - https://www.aztecleisure.co.uk/products/c-line-230-volt-13-amp-socket?variant=12557490683978 - an easy swap though I'd have preferred white versions. Sockets, outside trims and backboxes sold separately, though I re-used some of the original Jeanneau backboxes.