Mains power

[PabloPicasso]

My boat has the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit. The purchase survey said it should be plugged in/unplugable at the on board end.

So, the consumer unit is in the lazerette. I could fit a socket next to it in the locker or fit an external socket on the transom sugar scoop.

If it's in the lazerette it is out of harms way, but the cable will cross the deck when in use. On the transom the connection is more vulnerable to the elements, but would be more.conveniant to use.

I plug in more when ashore for the winter than when afloat as the boat is kept on a mooring.

 

[Boathook]

My boat has the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit. The purchase survey said it should be plugged in/unplugable at the on board end.

So, the consumer unit is in the lazerette. I could fit a socket next to it in the locker or fit an external socket on the transom sugar scoop.

If it's in the lazerette it is out of harms way, but the cable will cross the deck when in use. On the transom the connection is more vulnerable to the elements, but would be more.conveniant to use.

I plug in more when ashore for the winter than when afloat as the boat is kept on a mooring.

Put the blue euro type socket in the lazerettte. Persumably the cable is already crossing the deck when use.

You can get more weather proof sockets for mounting on the transom but I don't think it worth drilling the transom for it.

 

[PaulRainbow]

My boat has the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit. The purchase survey said it should be plugged in/unplugable at the on board end.

That's bollox. How does effectively cutting the cable and putting a plug and socket in place (more failure points) make it any better/safer ? Ask the surveyor for his reasoning, i'd be curious to hear his answer.

 

[ithet]

I would have thought what you have is safer, there is no way of carrying a live end.

 

[dunedin]

As others have said that sounds like an odd survey recommendation. Our 2011 built boat came from the factory with mains cable permanently connected in the lazerette, and seems a reasonable system as no connections exposed to salt water. (And previous boat had fragile mains socket cover that needed replacement regularly.)

When cable got damaged by somebody on the pontoon I ended up replacing and adding an in line connector, to facilitate changing shore power cables in future. This was added within the lazerette to protect it. Very very rare to unplug that end.

 

[Dockhead]

My boat has the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit. The purchase survey said it should be plugged in/unplugable at the on board end.

So, the consumer unit is in the lazerette. I could fit a socket next to it in the locker or fit an external socket on the transom sugar scoop.

If it's in the lazerette it is out of harms way, but the cable will cross the deck when in use. On the transom the connection is more vulnerable to the elements, but would be more.conveniant to use.

I plug in more when ashore for the winter than when afloat as the boat is kept on a mooring.

I disagree with your surveyor. If you have no operating issues with having the cord hardwired, then this is absolutely superior to any plug. Hardwired, non-pluggable shore power cords is standard on superyachts. The only reason for having a plug and socket on the boat side of shore power, is you need to get the cord out of the way, and this is the only way you can do it.

What kind of idiot would criticise that, I have no idea. It is no violation of any code or standard. If it works for you, don't change it!

 

[Dockhead]

And P.S., the boat side mains power socket/plugs are a persistently problematic thing. The Marinco ones which were ubiquitous a few decades ago are ghastly; a boat fire waiting to happen. The CEE blue plugs are much better, but also not immune to problems. The American SmartPlug is an attempt to get beyond all these problems, only partially successful, but at enormous expense (alas, this is what I have). Get it wrong, and you can burn down your boat.

Hard wired is perfect, if you don't need to detach the cord!

 

[Refueler]

I have to agree that Survey commernt is daft ...

But I also mention that I always have a blue connection point on the boats I have ... as I want to stow the cable away wherever ... also that if the cable ever gets damaged - I can replace easily.
As I have various moorings as well - I have cables to suit ...

 

[simonfraser]

far less corrosion for the plugs inside the boat rather than outside at the stern

 

[Refueler]

far less corrosion for the plugs inside the boat rather than outside at the stern

I like my connection point to be where I cannot miss it !! ie near throttle lever ...

Having departed pontoon with cable still plugged in - I learnt that lesson ...

My blue 'RV' connections last many years .. in fact my 25ft boat .. that blue plug in point is well over 25yrs old and still good.

Think about the marina's - their mains blue connections are out there in all weathers year in year out ...

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

PabloPicasso said:
My boat has the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit. The purchase survey said it should be plugged in/unplugable at the on board end.

That's bollox. How does effectively cutting the cable and putting a plug and socket in place (more failure points) make it any better/safer ? Ask the surveyor for his reasoning, i'd be curious to hear his answer.

Completely agree, utter rubbish.

 

[KompetentKrew]

That's bollox. How does effectively cutting the cable and putting a plug and socket in place (more failure points) make it any better/safer ? Ask the surveyor for his reasoning, i'd be curious to hear his answer.

I mean, there should be at least one plug and socket on the shore power supply. Maybe you're being too generous in your assumptions about the previous owner's bodging.

 

[ithet]

And, in 15 years of looking I have never found a fully waterproof (ip 65+) 16a bulkhead plug connector unless you go non standard like Marinco etc. Those caravan things with the spring flap are only splash proof.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Caravan and Marine Plugs and Sockets - (262136) - WACO

This is the type of inlet socket I use ed on my boat which I mounted on my wheelhouse bulkhead.

Not totally water tight but I found it better than the spring-loaded flap

 

[Dockhead]

. . . Having departed pontoon with cable still plugged in - I learnt that lesson ...

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt

 

[Dockhead]

And, in 15 years of looking I have never found a fully waterproof (ip 65+) 16a bulkhead plug connector unless you go non standard like Marinco etc. Those caravan things with the spring flap are only splash proof.

I don't think this is relevant to the OP, who -- I think -- only started thinking about this because of a daft survey note. If he's happy with his hard wired shore power cable, then I think we have a pretty broad consensus that this is better and safer than any plug. I forgot to mention strain relief, but that would be an important point (as it is with any type of shore power connection).

But for those who need to have a way to detach the shore power cable, I certainly agree with those who recommend putting the socket in a lazarette or otherwise out of the weather, provided there is some way to get the cord out without leaving the laz open.

Otherwise, there are a few good solutions that I know of:

1. SmartPlug. This is what I have. I don't really recommend it, because it's overpriced and technically not all that good. Massively bulky plug, too. It is light years ahead of the old Marinco type, however.

2. Mastervolt, this: Stainless steel inlet, 2+PE, 16 A/230 V | Mastervolt. This is lovely, much more compact, much cheaper than the SmartPlug. If I were doing mine over again, this is what I would go with.

3. The IP67 waterproof type of CEE Blue Plug, like this: Elecbee CEE Receptacle IP67 16Amp Socket 3-Pin Panel Mount Receptacle - Outside Socket Waterproof Angle Type Connector for Secure Power Connections : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools. This is not like or compatible with the ordinary Blue Plugs, which are not waterproof.

It's a good idea to go up one in size from what you expect to need. Mine is 32A.

 

[MontyMariner]

the mains shore power cable wired directly to the consumer unit.

What route does this existing cable take?
I would disconnect it from the consumer unit and put a IP44 Industrial (Blue) Socket and plug next to the consumer unit.
I have a plug and socket arrangement next to the consumer unit, and three different lengths of extension cables that I can use depending how far the shore power access is away.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have this type and fit them for customers.

https://www.ratio-electric.com/en/artnr/mp1610/shore-power-stainless-steel-inlet-mp16

 

[PaulRainbow]

What route does this existing cable take?
I would disconnect it from the consumer unit and put a IP44 Industrial (Blue) Socket and plug next to the consumer unit.
I have a plug and socket arrangement next to the consumer unit, and three different lengths of extension cables that I can use depending how far the shore power access is away.

What's the benefit in making this change ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

I mean, there should be at least one plug and socket on the shore power supply.

Other than the one on the pontoon, no.

Maybe you're being too generous in your assumptions about the previous owner's bodging.

You've lost me here, i never mentioned the previous owner, or bodging