Boat shore power / battery question

[Sailor2000]

Hi there, sorry for maybe the obvious question, I was just wondering if I have bought the right shore power cable for my boat? I bought a maypole 230v 16 amp cable , however what confuses me is what the sticker says on the power outlet onboard my boat , which is different volts? ( 220v ) and on the stainless steel outlet cap it says hubbell 30a 125v. Grounding

Also can boat power be fully off and still charge?
Thanks very much

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hi there, sorry for maybe the obvious question, I was just wondering if I have bought the right shore power cable for my boat? I bought a maypole 230v 16 amp cable , however what confuses me is what the sticker says on the power outlet onboard my boat , which is different volts? ( 220v ) and on the stainless steel outlet cap it says hubbell 30a 125v. Grounding

That's fine. The Hubbell inlet is American, so that translates to 16A @ 230V

Also can boat power be fully off and still charge?
Thanks very much

Commonly, yes, but you'll need to double check that the charger goes straight to the batteries.

 

[Sailor2000]

Ah! Thanks very much for clarifying,

Is there a way to stop batteries being overcharged?

( first time with shore power boat )

Thanks!

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ah! Thanks very much for clarifying,

Is there a way to stop batteries being overcharged?

( first time with shore power boat )

Thanks!

Yes, fit a good charger designed for the job, such as a Victron.

 

[Sailor2000]

Yes, fit a good charger designed for the job, such as a Victron.

 

[Sailor2000]

Please see attached pic, this is a battery charger that is fitted, would this prevent any over charging? I need to figure out how to use it .

Thanks very much

 

[PaulRainbow]

Please see attached pic, this is a battery charger that is fitted, would this prevent any over charging? I need to figure out how to use it .

Thanks very much

That should be OK, just check it's set it to the correct battery type.

 

[Sailor2000]

That should be OK, just check it's set it to the correct battery type.

Thanks. ! I tried to connect, my cable , but it looks like I need some sort adapter? Please see pic? Would you know the speech need please? Thanks

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks. ! I tried to connect, my cable , but it looks like I need some sort adapter? Please see pic? Would you know the speech need please? Thanks

You need a skip to put that inlet into and then fit one to suit the connector on your lead. Those Marinco inlets are a dangerous fire risk.

Do a Google search for "marinco shore power fires"

EDIT: there isn't an adaptor that you can plug into the Marinco inlet, then plug your cable in. You can fit a Marinco connector to your lead, this will likely cost more than you paid for the lead and you still have crap connectors. Or, you can swap the Marinco inlet for one that your shore power lead will plug into, this will be a cheaper alternative and, more importantly, give you better connectors.

Take your pick ; https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/240v-industrial-range/cat830090

Lots of other suppliers too.

 

[Sailor2000]

Thanks, will do ! You’ve saved me a big headache

 

[Elessar]

You need a skip to put that inlet into and then fit one to suit the connector on your lead. Those Marinco inlets are a dangerous fire risk.

Do a Google search for "marinco shore power fires"

EDIT: there isn't an adaptor that you can plug into the Marinco inlet, then plug your cable in. You can fit a Marinco connector to your lead, this will likely cost more than you paid for the lead and you still have crap connectors. Or, you can swap the Marinco inlet for one that your shore power lead will plug into, this will be a cheaper alternative and, more importantly, give you better connectors.

This is the type of thing that you need ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Socket-Waterproof-220‑250V-Motorhome-Caravan/dp/B0C9MN1HSB?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&psc=1&smid=AYZPGTGY9RWQ4

or take your pick ; https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/240v-industrial-range/cat830090

Lots of other suppliers too.

That’s interesting I hate Marinco connectors and they are expensive. I didn’t know they are dangerous too.
I’d much prefer a standard IEC inlet. That way you can easily have cables of differed lengths and extend them too as everything fits everything.
But I’ve only ever found cheap plastic sockets for the boat end. Having said that the ones you linked are better than the caravan ones (but they are fugly)
Do you know of something stainless ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

That’s interesting I hate Marinco connectors and they are expensive. I didn’t know they are dangerous too.
I’d much prefer a standard IEC inlet. That way you can easily have cables of differed lengths and extend them too as everything fits everything.
But I’ve only ever found cheap plastic sockets for the boat end. Having said that the ones you linked are better than the caravan ones (but they are fugly)
Do you know of something stainless ?

For the boat end i use a Ratio plug/socket, for example ; Energy Solutions | Product Search - Query: ration

It's basically the same as an IEC connector, but nicer, more robust and it's waterproof whether plugged in or not.

The other end is obviously standard IEC, so you can extend that, if need be, with a standard IEC lead. We have a relatively short lead for our home berth, rather than having coiled up cable, and carry a standard IEC cable to extend as needed when visiting other marinas.

 

[kashurst]

You need a skip to put that inlet into and then fit one to suit the connector on your lead. Those Marinco inlets are a dangerous fire risk.

Do a Google search for "marinco shore power fires"

EDIT: there isn't an adaptor that you can plug into the Marinco inlet, then plug your cable in. You can fit a Marinco connector to your lead, this will likely cost more than you paid for the lead and you still have crap connectors. Or, you can swap the Marinco inlet for one that your shore power lead will plug into, this will be a cheaper alternative and, more importantly, give you better connectors.

This is the type of thing that you need ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Socket-Waterproof-220‑250V-Motorhome-Caravan/dp/B0C9MN1HSB?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&psc=1&smid=AYZPGTGY9RWQ4

or take your pick ; https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/240v-industrial-range/cat830090

Lots of other suppliers too.

I think PaulRainbow has made a mistake.
The connector on the boat should have visible pins as it is the INPUT. The amazon linked device is an OUTLET socket for use on the shore power stands etc.

 

[Refueler]

The point is .... the shore outlet should not have exposed pins .... the plug on the lead to fit has the pins ... the other end of lead that goes to boat should be like the shore outlet - no exposed pins ... the socket on the boat has the pins ...



I know some may comment about them being 'caravan' items - but I can honestly say that example : my Sunrider25 yacht has had same for over 25yrs and it is still in good condition with no corrosion .. its mounted in the cockpit uncovered.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I think PaulRainbow has made a mistake.
The connector on the boat should have visible pins as it is the INPUT. The amazon linked device is an OUTLET socket for use on the shore power stands etc.

You're correct, i only glanced at the Amazon one, should have looked closer, my bad.

I've deleted the Amazon one from my post to save confusion.

 

[Elessar]

For the boat end i use a Ratio plug/socket, for example ; Energy Solutions | Product Search - Query: ration

It's basically the same as an IEC connector, but nicer, more robust and it's waterproof whether plugged in or not.

The other end is obviously standard IEC, so you can extend that, if need be, with a standard IEC lead. We have a relatively short lead for our home berth, rather than having coiled up cable, and carry a standard IEC cable to extend as needed when visiting other marinas.

Thanks Paul. That’s what I fitted to my sealine in the UK. It’s annoying that you can’t plug a regular IEC in but I did as you do and have the right length for the home berth then a selection of extensions for elsewhere. The quality is excellent.

There were 2x 16A inlets on the sealine so I also had a 32A to 2x16A Y connector. You could run the boat on one 16A with no aircon. That covered all the bases.

New boat has a glendinning so there is no inlet socket on the boat. The plug on the lead that winds out is a Marenco which is annoying and I can’t swap it as it has to fit perfectly in the receptacle where it winds into the boat. I can’t think of a solution to that.

 

[simonfraser]

You need a skip to put that inlet into and then fit one to suit the connector on your lead. Those Marinco inlets are a dangerous fire risk.

Do a Google search for "marinco shore power fires"

EDIT: there isn't an adaptor that you can plug into the Marinco inlet, then plug your cable in. You can fit a Marinco connector to your lead, this will likely cost more than you paid for the lead and you still have crap connectors. Or, you can swap the Marinco inlet for one that your shore power lead will plug into, this will be a cheaper alternative and, more importantly, give you better connectors.

Take your pick ; https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/240v-industrial-range/cat830090

Lots of other suppliers too.

be interesting to know how much power was used through those Marinco connectors
just about all the merry fishers in our yard have one of those ....

 

[PaulRainbow]

be interesting to know how much power was used through those Marinco connectors
just about all the merry fishers in our yard have one of those ....

Unlikely that excessive current would be drawn through them, as they would generally be plugged into marina sockets of 16A or 32A in this country. Most boats the size of a Merry Fisher don't have much in the way of heavy loads onboard. I'v changed several on sailboats that have been arcing/hot.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks Paul. That’s what I fitted to my sealine in the UK. It’s annoying that you can’t plug a regular IEC in but I did as you do and have the right length for the home berth then a selection of extensions for elsewhere. The quality is excellent.

There were 2x 16A inlets on the sealine so I also had a 32A to 2x16A Y connector. You could run the boat on one 16A with no aircon. That covered all the bases.

New boat has a glendinning so there is no inlet socket on the boat. The plug on the lead that winds out is a Marenco which is annoying and I can’t swap it as it has to fit perfectly in the receptacle where it winds into the boat. I can’t think of a solution to that.

Would it be possible to have a new receptacle made ?

 

[Elessar]

Would it be possible to have a new receptacle made ?

Possibly but it’s a substantial stainless thing with a micro switch to stop the cable retracting more than it should, a waterproof lid etc. Would not be straightforward and I have other things further up the list.