Shore power socket location

[simonfraser]

Mine is inside the boat at the moment, makes it awkward with the lead.
Can i relocate the input socket to the outside ?
On the stern somewhere, not too low
Or put it inside an external stern locker ?

 

[VicS]

Yes. They usually have a splash proof cover which makes them suitable for external mounting

I trust we are talking about a proper inlet connector with pins like those illustrated above, rather than a power output socket

Theoretically if the cable run from the inlet connector to the consumer unit exceeds 0.5m it should be run in conduit or there should be a circuit breaker within 0.5m of the inlet connector

 

[superheat6k]

Caravan accessory shops are generally cheaper than chandlers for these. I smear the prongs with silicon grease, otherwise the plugs can corrode to the prongs making removal difficult and eventually they can start arcing.

 

[matthewriches]

I normally put them in a locker with a little cut out so the locker lids still shut.

I have seen people cut them into the transom which is a bit daft in my opinion as they get soaking wet!

 

[RupertW]

I normally put them in a locker with a little cut out so the locker lids still shut.

I have seen people cut them into the transom which is a bit daft in my opinion as they get soaking wet!

Nearly all boats near us had them cut into the transom so I did the same and 5 years later all is fine except for the screws I used to hold it in place- now replaced with non-rusting ones

 

[RichardS]

Mine is just a captive cable which is coiled and stored in the aft locker. No need to worry about watertight sockets and suchlike as the cable runs through a rubber gland all the way into the boat interior to the mains distribution panel. I also carry an extension cable although I've never used it but have loaned it to other boats a couple of times.

Richard

 

[Momac]

My present boat has the fitting with a spring loaded flap as illustrated above

 

[johnalison]

Mine is in the cockpit cave locker in the coaming. It it not especially weatherproof but doesn't give any trouble and I have had no qualms about it. It is worth having it in a position that is comfortable to use, since I have seen people on some boats struggling to plug into sockets that were awkward, such as low on a sugar-scoop.

 

[Poignard]

If I could find a socket that was 100% watertight I would mount it on the forward end of the coachroof so as to avoid having a cable trailing down the side decks, since I invariably berth bow first.

 

[Hydrozoan]

Ours was originally high on the inner transom, but when replaced was put at the forward end of the cockpit locker with a small cut-out in the lid; I like the dry location, and the CU (and GI) are just above it.

 

[pvb]

My boat has an externally-mounted inlet by ABL Sursum. It has a bayonet-fitting cover with an O-ring seal and is IP56 rated.

 

[Lucky Duck]

If I could find a socket that was 100% watertight I would mount it on the forward end of the coachroof so as to avoid having a cable trailing down the side decks, since I invariably berth bow first.

I had a boat where the external socket was in the anchor locker

 

[Poignard]

I had a boat where the external socket was in the anchor locker

OK. Did that location cause any problems?

 

[RupertW]

I had a boat where the external socket was in the anchor locker

And I think that helps explain people's antipathy to transom sockets - if you always berth stern to then the transom is the obvious place to lean in from the pontoon and plug in. If I berthed bows to, then it would be neater to have a socket (male of course ) on the bow somewhere

 

[Lucky Duck]

OK. Did that location cause any problems?

Don't remember any problems but the shorepower system comprised a single three pin socket in the saloon only, no battery charger or immersion heater so didn't get used all that much

 

[westhinder]

Mine is in a cave locker in the coaming, and has a flap with a spring. Never had a problem.
Just one remark having seen the picture of the mobo: always make sure your cable is leading upwards to the socket. That avoids water running down and into the plug/socket.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Mine is also in the anchor locker & I was worried that it would receive a regular soaking of both fresh & salt water, because the furling drum is also in there as well, so it's fairly 'open topped' even with the lid closed.

However no problems after 20 years use ( except when I managed to wind the shore cable round the foil in a marina once :redface-new: )

 

[BabaYaga]

I have also installed the shore power intake in the anchor locker – no problems to date.
Two things worth considering:
1) Surface mounted intakes (plugs) often come without the self-closing lid, but these do exist, so well worth searching for.
2) Anchor locker is a nasty environment with regard to corrosion, so it might be a good idea to try and change out any mild steel items within the plug: screws, clamps, spring...

 

[jbweston]

Mine is in the front end of a cockpit cubbyhole and is fitted with a screw cover, as per my (not very good) photo attached. That means it is dry-ish and handy-ish. It's also very close to the mains switch panel and breakers which are at the top of the cockpit locker just beneath it.

A position in a locker with a cut-out might be as good.

I'm interested that we all call it a socket. Isn't it a plug, with the socket on the end of the cable? Or perhaps that depends on how we look at it.

 

[Poignard]

(...)
I'm interested that we all call it a socket. Isn't it a plug, with the socket on the end of the cable? Or perhaps that depends on how we look at it.

I wondered about that when I was posting above so I looked it up on a few suppliers' websites but they all call it a socket; so I did the same.

But technically you're right.

Or how about "a socketed plug"?