Shore Power - adding a UK socket

[Skint Again]

Firstly apologies if this in the wrong place - I did do a search and most other shore power related queries tend to reside in this forum. I maybe wasn't using the correct terms for my search, but I couldn't find an answer to my query so thought I'd post it here. Most answers I found seemed to relate to installing shore power on a vessel not already equipped with it.

I am soon to take delivery of a brand new Bayliner 742, basing it in a UK marina. The boat comes equipped with shore power, to power things such as the fridge, electric stove and battery charger. The shore power is compatible with the 240v supply in the marina, however there isn't a socket to plug any appliances into anywhere on the boat.

How straightforward is it to 'tap in' to the incoming shore power supply and run a cable to a single 3-pin socket? This socket would be exclusively used for a fan heater (2KW). All other electrical needs can be met by the 12v sockets and the shore power will run the fridge and lights etc.

I am used to running a heater from a reel, plugging it in to the shore power supply and running it into our current boat. It's a bit untidy, and I assumed that getting a boat equipped with shore power would remove the need for this system - but with no outlet socket it hasn't!

I've thought of a couple of solutions, namely to carry on with the system I've used to date (unplugging the boat from the shore power and plugging the heater in and vice versa when the heating goes off), or running a 'Y' type splitter from the supply so I could plug the boat into shore power and run a separate lead from the same supply to the reel I run my heater from (not sure if the marina would allow the latter).

But ideally I would have a single socket within the boat that I could plug the heater into, if it's possible and reasonable to do, and have a single point of connection to the shore power (being the appropriate plug in point on the boat).

I did rather naively assume that 'shore power' meant there would be at least one outlet in the boat itself- the 842 has a couple of sockets in it so maybe it's Bayliner's cunning ploy to get you to fork out another £30K to get a boat you can plug things into!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zikzik]

Can't they fit one for you prior to delivery?

 

[Momac]

I did rather naively assume that 'shore power' meant there would be at least one outlet in the boat itself- the 842 has a couple of sockets in it so maybe it's Bayliner's cunning ploy to get you to fork out another £30K to get a boat you can plug things into!

.

In a boat of that size I would have expected at least a couple of mains sockets in the accommodation space . One near the galley - so you can boil a kettle and one some other place in the saloon. You might want to use a mains TV or vacuum cleaner.
A spare socket in the engine bay is handy for winter frost protection heater.
Presumably there is provision for whatever cooker/fridge /battery charger is included .
In a new boat I would want the sockets included in the price. Surely shore power provisions are factory fitted as standard ?

 

[jac]

Welcome to the forum.

Very feasible and I would expect to be a fairly common modification even on boats of that size.

Very DIY able if you are happy working with electricity. Ensure the Consumer unit you have fitted has a suitable outlet then run suitable cable to the outlet. Make sure it's flexible cable, well secured, appropriately rated to take at least 13 amps and ideally tinned as it will be operating in a marine environment. Also be careful re the socket. Ones from usual DIY outlets are often used but you may be better with one of the Berker outlets which are more compact.

However.

With a brand new boat, I would specify from new. That way it's covered by the warranty and you won't end up having to replace some brand new bit of kit because it didn't have an outlet for shore power sockets.

 

[VicS]

Firstly apologies if this in the wrong place - I did do a search and most other shore power related queries tend to reside in this forum. I maybe wasn't using the correct terms for my search, but I couldn't find an answer to my query so thought I'd post it here. Most answers I found seemed to relate to installing shore power on a vessel not already equipped with it.

I am soon to take delivery of a brand new Bayliner 742, basing it in a UK marina. The boat comes equipped with shore power, to power things such as the fridge, electric stove and battery charger. The shore power is compatible with the 240v supply in the marina, however there isn't a socket to plug any appliances into anywhere on the boat.

How straightforward is it to 'tap in' to the incoming shore power supply and run a cable to a single 3-pin socket? This socket would be exclusively used for a fan heater (2KW). All other electrical needs can be met by the 12v sockets and the shore power will run the fridge and lights etc.

I am used to running a heater from a reel, plugging it in to the shore power supply and running it into our current boat. It's a bit untidy, and I assumed that getting a boat equipped with shore power would remove the need for this system - but with no outlet socket it hasn't!

I've thought of a couple of solutions, namely to carry on with the system I've used to date (unplugging the boat from the shore power and plugging the heater in and vice versa when the heating goes off), or running a 'Y' type splitter from the supply so I could plug the boat into shore power and run a separate lead from the same supply to the reel I run my heater from (not sure if the marina would allow the latter).

But ideally I would have a single socket within the boat that I could plug the heater into, if it's possible and reasonable to do, and have a single point of connection to the shore power (being the appropriate plug in point on the boat).

I did rather naively assume that 'shore power' meant there would be at least one outlet in the boat itself- the 842 has a couple of sockets in it so maybe it's Bayliner's cunning ploy to get you to fork out another £30K to get a boat you can plug things into!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Its the right place for such a question

Cannot comment on whether or not sockets are provided and if not why not but if you add sockets make sure they are connected to the shore power via the consumer unit , not directly to the incoming power supply, or you will not have the proper protection against overcurrent or earth leakage/ electric shock provided by the circuit breakers and RCD in the CU.
If you are uncertain about the boat electrics get them fitted by a qualified marine electrician. It may be necessary to add an additional CU for the sockets ... hopefully not.

It would be sensible to enquire about having sockets fitted by the Agents.

 

[Chalker]

If anyone uses a power cable on a reel, make sure that is FULLY unwound before using it for a kettle, fire or anything else powerful. Otherwise the centre of the reel WILL get hot. Hot enough to damage the cable and perhaps melt it.
Many (most?) reels carry this instruction but usually rate them for wound and unwound amps, not everyone can translate to the watts quoted on the appliance.

 

[Skint Again]

Firstly thank you everyone for the response and welcome.

Can't they fit one for you prior to delivery?

The manufacturer can't add one to the order, as it has been delivered to the dealer, although it's still in the wrapper. I wanted to see how feasible it was before I asked the dealer to add one for me prior to 'unwrapping' and delivery to my berth -now that it seems straightforward enough I'll certainly be asking.

Presumably there is provision for whatever cooker/fridge /battery charger is included .
In a new boat I would want the sockets included in the price. Surely shore power provisions are factory fitted as standard ?

Yes there is, but I imagine they are 'hard wired' in and not socketed. The shore power is there, but it seems so limiting to me if all it can do (as it stands, out of the wrapper, with no modification) is charge the batteries, power the fridge and power the stove.

I would have thought so too- but the sockets definitely aren't there, I've been over an identical example in the marina, looked in every nook and cranny.

You need to move to the next model up to get any kind of sockets at all, and even at that they are two pin American style.

However.

With a brand new boat, I would specify from new. That way it's covered by the warranty and you won't end up having to replace some brand new bit of kit because it didn't have an outlet for shore power sockets.

I agree but unfortunately too late for that - although brand new, it's one that's already been specc'd by the dealer and I'm not even sure that the manufacturer offers that as an option at all - haven't seen it on any options list. I don't like the idea of punching holes in a new boat, but would prefer the convenience of having it as part of the boat rather than on a reel as at present.

I would be happy if the dealer fitted it, although suspect it would void the warranty regardless of who fits it.

Cannot comment on whether or not sockets are provided and if not why not but if you add sockets make sure they are connected to the shore power via the consumer unit , not directly to the incoming power supply, or you will not have the proper protection against overcurrent or earth leakage/ electric shock provided by the circuit breakers and RCD in the CU.
If you are uncertain about the boat electrics get them fitted by a qualified marine electrician. It may be necessary to add an additional CU for the sockets ... hopefully not.

It would be sensible to enquire about having sockets fitted by the Agents.

OK thanks for that, I will emphasise that it needs to be done properly in the manner you suggest when I speak to the dealer - if they don't sound too confident about it I'll have a proper look at the electrics when I take delivery, and if I can't work it out from there straight to a marine electrician - wouldn't take any chances with this.

Chalker -

Yes we always fully unwind but sensible to mention it for anyone reading who doesn't.