Power Supply

[Dave1258]

Has anyone fitted a means of supplying 240v to thier boat via the shorepower type of socket?
Because the boat is sitting on it's trailer on the driveway, I have rigged up a "heath robinson" arrangement of getting mains power into the boat to provide heating, batt charging etc, through cables and extension leads, running under the boat cover into the engine bay.
I have a motorhome, which those familiar with caravans has a heavy duty lead which plugs into a socket and bingo mains power!
Is a marine application kit readily available from the swindelerys, what sort of a task is it to undertake?
Your comments valued as usual

<hr width=100% size=1>If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying.

 

[andyball]

Yep, you can buy kits.....look a bit pricey compared to buying the bits you need ,from my recollection.

Easy enough to fit, I'd say. Similar lead to your motorhome setup, socket need not be mounted outside of course.

An earth leakage circuit breaker is very wise (either inside the boat, or on the end of the cable where you plug in in your house/garage - on the boat if you're ever likely to use marina supplies, but at the house end is safer if not).

Then suitable cable to : as simple as a multiway trailing socket ( 2 or more household type 3-pin sockets in one case)

or...via a multi-way fuse/circuit breaker box to various sockets round the boat, but prob. overkill for a small boat?.

By "easy enough" ? -If you can wire a plug & strip the outer insulation off mains cable ,then you can do it. Hardest part mounting the socket if "outside" on the boat, but if you use a surface mounted one rather than a flush mount, no big holes to make in anycase.

Think the cost of motorhome type socket & plug, 4-6 way trailing sockets (for home type 3-pin plugs) & cable under £20, £5-10 for elcb if you haven't got one for the mower already.

If likely to start using 3kw fire/kettle or lots of stuff, cable from house to boat may need to be bigger than normal 13A cable if it's long.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by andyball on 17/01/2004 19:32 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Dave1258]

Thanx Andy, next question is are european counterparts all on a compatible system, ie. same plug arrangement?
I have to carry a few diff lead end hook up arrangements for travelling in western europe, usually pin configurations or polarity issues.
I would like to use the flush mount socket system ( reverse down drive, plug into garage) simple and efficient

<hr width=100% size=1>If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying.

 

[Talbot]

Go to a caravan shop and ask for advice . You will find kits ready for instalation, and knowledge and equipment for connection throughout europe. It will also be a lot cheaper than a swindlery /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Mike21]

You could probably get most of parts from a good electrical wholesaler and a lot cheaper than chandleries. Would definately fit RCD in boat if connecting elsewhere.
Don't know how difficult a task, ,
Europe all 220-240V as far as I know. Unfortunately different marinas use different plugs,from domestic 2pin or 3 pin round to industrial type 3 or sometimes 4 pin and different sizes, so you will probably need a selection.

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[pistonbroke]

The only "dedicated" marine part that you need to buy from the much hated swindlery is a shore power socket, these are available from any Aqua Marine stockist.http://www.aqua-marine.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

The rest of the parts can be bought from your local B&Q or electrical factors.

All work has to conform to CE regulations, even if done by yourself so an "earth leakage" breaker has to be fitted.

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[halcyon]

One point use fleiable cable, do not use single core twin and earth. In the early 80's when mains started to be fitted to production boats twin and earth was used, but the flexing of the hull caused fatique failure due to bending the single core.



Brian

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