Shore power, does it cause problems if left on?

[GC1]

Reading about anodes e.t.c. Does leaving shore power plugged in all the time when moored up cause more wear on your anodes, or is it other rogue boats that cause the problems?

 

[Landale]

Yep, it runs up electric bills! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Some theorists say it does. Some say it,s "rogue boats" ie those that arn,t wired up correctly.
Don,t know what I,m talking about to give an" Expert" opinion on this subject but I,m sure opinions will soon be voiced on this cathodic ,electro ,electrolisis,evaporation,equation---Elp-- please We need to Know!

 

[JKay]

Only on Italian boats /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

also depends on the amount of electrical gear eg

toasters,juicers etc

cheers Joe

 

[GC1]

My boats Italian /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif plus I have a juicer, coffee machine, grill, toaster e.t.c. Am I doomed? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Kilter]

Yes!

 

[Kilter]

[ QUOTE ]
My boats Italian /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif plus I have a juicer, coffee machine, grill, toaster e.t.c. Am I doomed? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Done for for sure!

 

[Bandit]

Yes it can.

If you have a stray earth or if you have a faulty shaft brush or broken strap to an anode or if your anode layout is not good it can cause major problems to:

Initialy your anodes.

Your props.

Your shafts, P brackets, trim tabs outdrives and rudders. Especialy outdrives it loves eating those!

Or in wooden boats the fastenings.

I have had a boat on a swinging mooring for months between use with all power off, it amazes me why when the boat is not in use people want the power on to keep beer cool For heaters or de humidifiers wire them direct to the mains not through the boats shore power. Even now my boat is in a marina but shore power has not arrived yet although we now have at least a 240v outlet in most homes in Guernsey!

If you ahave a boat or pontoon with problems near yours it can also chew your metal bits.

 

[nedmin]

will anyone master cathodic protection 100%, I doubt it.Some years ago I had a steel boat with no mains on board, I had an alongside mooring which was steel piling, can anyone tell me why the anode away from the piling wore down and the one alongside didnt?There were no other boats in the vicinity. On my present steel cruiser I always disconnect the mains.

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Anodes, props, shafts...is he bothered?
New 45' or thereabouts will most likely be ordered at SIBS /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kilter]

ashtrays will be full by now

 

[Medskipper]

Hi Pete,

It is actually a mixture of both! I have a friend who lives a few houses from me who is a retired cathode protection engineer. We have chatted at length on this subject, its a bit of a black art! He worked on big shipping and the problem is huge. It is best if you disconnect shore power when you are not on the boat, however it is also caused by other peoples power, even 12v! so unless you get your vessel far away from other boats and pontoons with leccy you will suffer electrolosis! The best plan is to keep an eye on your anodes and replace them every year or more often if they are being eaten away fast. The interesting thing is that my friend assures me that when under way a vessel will not suffer this problem, so keep using the boat as often as you can! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Barry

 

[tcm]

yes possibly tho it depends on them. Some peeps here have had anodes eaten in months.

I fitted a galvanic isoltaor from some company in leeds, googleable, and noticeably lower anode consumption now, as well as other items not rusting/corroding as quickly too.

 

[GC1]

I have Cathode & Galvonic protection, Volvo were trying to sell me some other thing to protect anodes at the stern, but with a bowthruster I would need to lift the boat to replace that one anyway, unless I dived down, but it's a fiddly alan key job /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[old_salt]

You are definitely far better off if you are moored / anchored in a isolated bay on your own with no one else in site. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pete Please take this in the light hearted vain it is sent in. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ArthurWood]

[ QUOTE ]
My boats Italian /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif plus I have a juicer, coffee machine, grill, toaster e.t.c. Am I doomed? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No aircon/dehumidifier?

 

[omega2]

www.clementsmarine.com

 

[nightjar]

You should get a galvanic isolator fitted to your shore power supply. It will stop stray currents that can travel along the shore earth wire. Some boats appear to suffer from galvanic corrosion of skin fittings while others are immune. Many boats have "cheap" through hull fittings made of brass, they are basically crap and can corrode to the point of disintegtation in less than 4 years. If you plan to keep your boat for several years get an isolator.
P.S. I like your swimbo's mates, are any of them rich and looking for an older man ?

 

[D3B]

I would be more worried about the rubbish that was thrown over the sides after the newk fleet was refitted. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
i noticed you got some of those lights to put round the boat...surely the glow from the water is enough /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DAKA]

I have unplugged my 240v this year and I have found the Engine, shaft and Hull anodes are all wearing slowly and not as fast as last year when power was on (also I close the sea cocks to stop the engine water circuit the sea cock is brass but does seam to save the engine anode).

Also with out drives try to moor away from metal piles, dont moor stern too against the steel pile for above a week or two, ask for a new berth if you have to.