MontyMariner
Well-Known Member
Just to comply with the original purchase survey.
Mains power
- Thread starter PabloPicasso
- Start date
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
But why, it's a nonsense comment from the surveyor ?
Baggywrinkle
Well-Known Member
I must admit, having a plug and cable in plain sight helps a bit with the "oh sh!t, we forgot to unplug the shore power" problem.
My cable is bright blue so it doesn't blend in with the mooring ropes, and it is routed next to the throttle lever on it's way to the boat socket, which is odly placed on the cabin side, just forward of the cockpit. At least I notice it when I go to start the engine.
When I bought my last boat it had a fixed, white cable in the starboard cockpit locker which relied on the cockpit locker sealing and the bump-stops to prevent the locker lid from crushing it. I decided this was sub-optimal and put a socket on the stern.
IMO it's up to the OP to have a think about it, and decide on a course of action. The surveyor maybe assumed standard household untinned cable. Cables always end up in the water at somepoint, and when stowed may drip or dribble salt-water into the connections. Maybe the lazarette lid closes on the cable crushing it? or maybe there's something else. If the surveyer didn't give a reason then use common sense or ask him/her.
If deciding on a socket, Marinco doesn't have the best reputation, so go for the blue EEC and always use tinned cable, at least for the boat-side connections - it will corrode unseen and lead to overheating of the connection. The cable side can be regularly inspected and if it ever feels warm, then it needs investigating.
My cable is bright blue so it doesn't blend in with the mooring ropes, and it is routed next to the throttle lever on it's way to the boat socket, which is odly placed on the cabin side, just forward of the cockpit. At least I notice it when I go to start the engine.
When I bought my last boat it had a fixed, white cable in the starboard cockpit locker which relied on the cockpit locker sealing and the bump-stops to prevent the locker lid from crushing it. I decided this was sub-optimal and put a socket on the stern.
IMO it's up to the OP to have a think about it, and decide on a course of action. The surveyor maybe assumed standard household untinned cable. Cables always end up in the water at somepoint, and when stowed may drip or dribble salt-water into the connections. Maybe the lazarette lid closes on the cable crushing it? or maybe there's something else. If the surveyer didn't give a reason then use common sense or ask him/her.
If deciding on a socket, Marinco doesn't have the best reputation, so go for the blue EEC and always use tinned cable, at least for the boat-side connections - it will corrode unseen and lead to overheating of the connection. The cable side can be regularly inspected and if it ever feels warm, then it needs investigating.
MontyMariner
Well-Known Member
I agree, but that wasn't what the O/P was asking about.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
I wrap the mains lead around the throttle controls, so driving off without unplugging would take some ingenuity.Been there, done that, got the t-shirt
OTOH I do have something of a reputation for being ingenious ...
Alan S
Well-Known Member
Two reasons why I have an inlet plug/socket..
1. The boat came with it.
2. I didn't need to fit a transfer switch when I bought an inverter.
Otherwise I agree, just another failure point and risk of someone dropping a live socket in the water.
1. The boat came with it.
2. I didn't need to fit a transfer switch when I bought an inverter.
Otherwise I agree, just another failure point and risk of someone dropping a live socket in the water.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
This matter of dropping live socket into water ... I make it a point of myself or anyone who goes to connect my boat ... connect boat first - then take other end of cable to shore power ...
2 reasons : a) person is then not carrying a live power cable on a pontoon ... b) if cable falls into water - it not live.
2 reasons : a) person is then not carrying a live power cable on a pontoon ... b) if cable falls into water - it not live.
