Shore power splitters

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rachapman

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Last year we came acoss several situations where all the available shore power outlets were occupied. We negotiated an arrangement with a neighbour to let us charge our batteries while they were out. Along came a french boat who connected a 'power splitter' enabling 2 boats to be connected to the same outlet from the marina post.

Good Idea, I thought. However, I cannot source a 'splitter' in the UK, and moreover folk look leery when I ask for one.

So- is one available in the average french bricolage, and is it going to send us down in flames?
 
Go down in flames - no. Marinas should have overload protection and all that will happen when two users are piggbacking is that the overload will blow and neither of you will have anything, until you reset (assuming you can get at the switch) and lower the combined load.

Unfortunately, most marinas set the point loading at 1000w. It does not take much more than a small kettle to blow that.

The splitter gear I have is self -made. Not difficult using parts available in most chandlers or camping shops (better choice and prices) Put a name tag on it and make sure it doesn't "walk".

Sometimes other users get sniffy, but I've never had a barny with another boat user when splitting his source, with or without his agreement. We all have to live together and there's no reason why one boat should be without power because another arrived earlier at the dockside! And you pay for the electricity on the continent whether you use it or not - it's in the price!

PWG.
 
I would not have any problem making a splitter (thanks for the advice), and understand that the combined current draw of our boats might trip the marina post, but:

1. Are there any 'manners' inviolved if one one usurps a share of anothers power supply.

3. Are there any potential problems associated with linking ones ac supply with another boat
 
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Last year we came acoss several situations where all the available shore power outlets were occupied. We negotiated an arrangement with a neighbour to let us charge our batteries while they were out. Along came a french boat who connected a 'power splitter' enabling 2 boats to be connected to the same outlet from the marina post.

Good Idea, I thought. However, I cannot source a 'splitter' in the UK, and moreover folk look leery when I ask for one.

So- is one available in the average french bricolage, and is it going to send us down in flames?

[/ QUOTE ]

Local Caravan or electrical outlet ... as another said 1 plug ... two bits of cable ... 2 sockets ... about 25 quid the lot ... possibly less.
 
Making one yourself is not that safe 'cos you can't get a watertight seal with two cables going into one plug. Mine let in water and blew the breaker when we were away for a week. They are called Ceeform and are available in a one piece made up splitter via electrical specialists.
 
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Making one yourself is not that safe 'cos you can't get a watertight seal with two cables going into one plug. Mine let in water and blew the breaker when we were away for a week. They are called Ceeform and are available in a one piece made up splitter via electrical specialists.

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Do like I did .... a) silicon sealant into the cable tapered gland to seal it up and b) tape it up as well with silicon "squeezed" out in the tape ...

Mine hasn't leaked or caused a trip.

You could if you wanted to even go further to seal .... have a single cable coming from initial plug into a junction box ... via a gland ... two cables coming out at seperate glands to each trailing socket ....

There's plenty good ways to sort this one ....

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Marina at Wemeldinge on Osterschelde (?) will supply splitter for 20 euro refundable deposit. Not unusual, I made my own, stored on boat in case. Sealing 2 cables into one fiting should not be beyond the wit of any normal man.
 
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Do like I did .... a) silicon sealant

[/ QUOTE ] You mean silicone

As put in petrol sometimes /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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3. Are there any potential problems associated with linking ones ac supply with another boat

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No different than plugging into an adjacent socket, they'll be fed from the same supply.

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Don't know if my boat is in any way peculiar, but when shore-power is interrupted, my RCD disengages and does not re-engage automatically.

So, I would recommend as good manners that, if you have to briefly disconnect another boat's plug in order to insert your splitter, you warn them so they check and in case reset their main switch.

For the same reason, it would not be particularly fair to disconnect an unattended boat's power connection, as it may remain disconnected for a long time!
 
They are commercially available for about £30 but I can't remember the source. Our club marina has a few and some time back there was a post here with a link to the supplier so a search might help if nobody else remembers where either!
 
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3. Are there any potential problems associated with linking ones ac supply with another boat

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No different than plugging into an adjacent socket, they'll be fed from the same supply.

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Only difference is accumulated load on one socket ... if each socket is covered by own trip - you have now divided that load so you cannot run such big stuff in risk of tripping out ... but in most cases you wouldn't be close to that load figure !
 
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They are commercially available for about £30 but I can't remember the source. Our club marina has a few and some time back there was a post here with a link to the supplier so a search might help if nobody else remembers where either!

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Local caravan shops will I'm sure help ......... most likely sell you one ... for a lot less than 30 quid I bet !
 
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Last year we came acoss several situations where all the available shore power outlets were occupied. We negotiated an arrangement with a neighbour to let us charge our batteries while they were out. Along came a french boat who connected a 'power splitter' enabling 2 boats to be connected to the same outlet from the marina post.

Good Idea, I thought. However, I cannot source a 'splitter' in the UK, and moreover folk look leery when I ask for one.

So- is one available in the average french bricolage, and is it going to send us down in flames?

[/ QUOTE ]

So what about this then ...... >

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/240-VOLT-3-WAY-SPL...tem140094474276

and £9.99 !!
 
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