Shorepower Sockets in Portugal

[Tethys]

Hi, we are in Baiona and have had to borrow (for a €50 deposit) a converter cable as there are only large power sockets in the marina. Is this common in Portugal and beyond into the Med and therefore should we buy one (for €29 here :-o) or make one up, or is it a one-off in Baiona?

Thanks for any info,

Andy

 

[satsuma]

It is quite common from there on! I think I got asked for 75 euros for a deposit once!

 

[RAI]

Portugal is a normal country. No Siesta and UK time, normal sockets and plugs too. I only needed that adapter in the Rias.

 

[charles_reed]

You need a 32amp to 16amp adaptor, a continental 2/3 pin 10amp - 16 amp adaptor and a splitter to allow 2 x 16 amp plugs to draw from one socket.

Materials to make all three shouldn't cost more than €35.

You'll find then long-term essential - surprised you've got as far as you have without experiencing the need.

I've used them all in France, Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Italy and and Greece at one time or another. Currently sitting in Ag Anna, Naxos using the 2-pin 10amp to run computer and charger.

 

[anniebray]

When I was in Baiona about a month back I purchased a 32amp plug & 16a socket in a local ironmongers (Ferreteria) for E13 total. I had some 3 core cable on the boat. You will need this adap[tor in many places.

 

[GrahamM376]

Most Portugues and Spanish marinas have standard plugs and sockets but a few don't so best make up an adaptor. Most electrical wholesalers have the bits far cheaper than buying from chandlers.

 

[maxi77]

Certainly more newer marinas seem to be offering more berths with 32A supplies for the more power hungry mobos. In Albufeira a proportion of the berths for 40 ft and above boats have 32A sockets, all the shorter berths are 16A only. Many of the 32A sockets have an adapter with 3 16A sockets, so most people dont need to hire the adaptor. It may well be worth while making up your own adapter. You would also be advised to have a polarity reverser

 

[chinita]

Portugal is a normal country. No Siesta and UK time, normal sockets and plugs too. I only needed that adapter in the Rias.

+1

I use the same shore power cable and small plug in Portugal as I do in UK.

However, after eight years cruising the Med I ended up with enough electrical hardware and hose fittings to stock B&Q.

One of cruising life's little challenges.

 

[[27631]]

16-32A plugs in Portugal/Spain//Med..

...you will need a short 16A/32A adaptor ,or a separate 32A plugged lead in many places as you head south...Marina Bay Gibraltar...etc ,depending where you get berthed.!!
I just bought a 32A plug...about 5 euros...and swopped it out when necessary upon arrival at a marina that needed it.In the Chino shops in Spain these plugs are cheap..fairly crappy...but last a few years

 

[neutronstar]

You need a 32amp to 16amp adaptor, a continental 2/3 pin 10amp - 16 amp adaptor and a splitter to allow 2 x 16 amp plugs to draw from one socket.

Materials to make all three shouldn't cost more than €35.

You'll find then long-term essential - surprised you've got as far as you have without experiencing the need.

I've used them all in France, Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Italy and and Greece at one time or another. Currently sitting in Ag Anna, Naxos using the 2-pin 10amp to run computer and charger.

Any chance of seeing pictures of these items please ?

 

[SHUG]

You need a 32amp to 16amp adaptor, a continental 2/3 pin 10amp - 16 amp adaptor and a splitter to allow 2 x 16 amp plugs to draw from one socket.

In addition, you may need a 3-phase (large red) plug to 16amp socket for some marinas in portugal and spain. You have to be particularly careful to correctly wire up one of the three phase pins.

 

[Sandyman]

In addition, you may need a 3-phase (large red) plug to 16amp socket for some marinas in portugal and spain. You have to be particularly careful to correctly wire up one of the three phase pins.

A three phase supply in a marina available for domestic use ?????

 

[vyv_cox]

Certainly more newer marinas seem to be offering more berths with 32A supplies for the more power hungry mobos. In Albufeira a proportion of the berths for 40 ft and above boats have 32A sockets, all the shorter berths are 16A only. Many of the 32A sockets have an adapter with 3 16A sockets, so most people dont need to hire the adaptor. It may well be worth while making up your own adapter. You would also be advised to have a polarity reverser

In Barcelona we needed an adaptor from large blue (32 amp?) to 16 amp blue. We could have hired one but instead bought one and a 16 amp socket at a local ferreteria to make our own, thinking it would be needed frequently. That was in 2005 and we've never used it since.

 

[Eeyore]

Any chance of seeing pictures of these items please ?

You just need to buy the appropriate male and female connectors, some suitable cable (all available in electrical hardware stores) and make up your own adaptors. Left is a 'biggy' to 16 amp, centre is a 32amp to 16amp and right is a standard UK 3-pin socket with a polarity/earth tester plugged in. I also have splitters and reverse polarity adaptors, the latter being essential in some Med countries.