Shore Power Cable - Length and Type

Roach1948

Roach1948

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Apr 2006
Messages
1,268
www.dallimoredesigns.nl
What do people recommend as a handy length to have (will only use marinas occasionally) ...

...and will I be able to get away with that standard orange stuff used for exterior power tool extentions - or do I need the "special" yellow stuff?
 
"Arctic Blue" - that is what I have and it is the same as our electricians use to connect up Holiday homes - outside in all weathers. - Available at B&Q or electricians suppliers everywhere.
Length = twice as long as you think you need it is always too short in my opinion
Bob

2.5mm cross section is what I am advised
 
Yup - agree with BobA.

Only comment is to consider having two lengths - one easily long enough for your normal hook up and an extension for if you are at a different marina. Saves unravelling a very long one all the time.
 
Is the connector different in the Med to say the UK? If yes does anyone know where I would get a Spanish adaptor?
 
I second buying from a caravan shop. They also sell handy reels to enable you to put it away neatly.
In Turkey and Greece I have found different types of socket as follows.
1) Same fitting as the standard Caravan lead.
2) Turkish domestic socket. Takes a two pin plug with the earth arranged at 90 degrees to the pins, contacting both edges of the plug.
3) European type domestic socket. Takes two pin plug and has a pin itself for the earth.
4) Similar to the caravan type but larger
I carry an adapter for each type, plus an odd one with five pins, that came with the boat. I have never seen a socket for that one.
My advice is buy the caravan lead, and get adapters as you need them. If you take with you a couple of the blue sockets and a short piece of cable you can make adapters as needed, just by buying plugs.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is the connector different in the Med to say the UK? If yes does anyone know where I would get a Spanish adaptor?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most are regular 16A sockets same as UK but some have 32 and some others 64. Most marinas have 'loan connectors' but might be worth buying those if you plan to spend time in the country. Cheaper in Spain than UK.

Have also had just one or two locations where all one could use was a 2 pin domestic type eu socket - so we've also got an adaptor lead for that also.

Best tip re such things was to wire in a second outlet socket close to our plug. Means when in late and all sockets taken by others, you can insert into someone elses socket, and plug them back into yours.
Cheers
JOHN
 
[ QUOTE ]
What do people recommend as a handy length to have (will only use marinas occasionally) ...

...and will I be able to get away with that standard orange stuff used for exterior power tool extentions - or do I need the "special" yellow stuff?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a reel that was originally 3 pin domestic on cable end and multiple sockets in reel centre. Thats 50ft. Cut off domestic plug and fit blue caravan plug. That's your wandering lead for just about all OTHER needs ...

For powering the boat I have 3 sets ....
a) Standard 15m Caravan ready-made up job.
b) Extension lead of another 5m which can either extend a) or be used where short is enough.
c) Various conversion leads .... (i) caravan to Euro-style earthed, (ii) caravan to 3 pin domestic, (ii) 3 pin domestic to caravan - as some marinas have domestic sockets - ie Harold Hayles etc.

The above means that I can connect just about anywhere I reckon I'll go ....

All except the Harold Hayles job were bought off the shelf in a Caravan Dealers ...

Don't forget also that they are best source of the sockets to fit to boat as well ..... along with zillions of other stuff that is same as chandlers but without Marine name ....
 
I'd have a look at Towsure if you want a reasonably priced lead. We have one of these, plus our meter maid cable which we had to buy at horrendous cost when we had the boat in Plymouth Yacht Haven.

You could pick one up at the Caravan and Boat Show at the NEC this weekend!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Best tip re such things was to wire in a second outlet socket close to our plug. Means when in late and all sockets taken by others, you can insert into someone elses socket, and plug them back into yours.


[/ QUOTE ]


Great Tip - Another Forum priceless one IMO. Has anybody ever been piqued about you pinching their leccy?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I reckon your insurance company might say you should have had it checked if you claim because of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why does everyone quote Insurance Co's whenever this sort of thing comes up ?

Not being funny or rude - but does anyone call in an Electrician to check a plug fitted to a lead ? The Blue plugs and sockets bought over counter to fit to leads have clear marks inside for the terminals as to Earth, +ve, -ve etc. - similar to a standard domestic plug markings ...
 
[ QUOTE ]
same folks who need radio checks each w/e /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Tee Hee ..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top