Shore Power

[airdvr1227]

This year we're at a real slip that has 30A shore power available. I have no shore power connector on my rig and I want to run a trickle charger for the batteries. Is it really this simple?

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Shore Power

Yup....that simple.....i would make sure the charger is placed somewhere that stays dry though.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shore Power

yeah it really is... BUT you also can go to lowes or home depot and get a plug (30 amp twistlock) and then chop the male end off of an extension cord and put it together yourself.... It would be cheaper and then the cord would reach into the boat so you wouldn't have to have the connection in the weather.

I made mine for about $20

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Shore Power

You read my mind. I figured I could make one. Thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Shore Power

you might consider that a trickle charger is unnecessary; you are usually better off with no power on the boat at all while moored; shut off the battery switch; just have the bilge pump float wired directly.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Shore Power

I have the setup now. The only thing wired to the battery is the pump. My concern is the bilge pump is only as good as the battery it's connected to. I'm 2 hours away now. Just a little extra insurance.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Shore Power

I have the setup now. The only thing wired to the battery is the pump. My concern is the bilge pump is only as good as the battery it's connected to. I'm 2 hours away now. Just a little extra insurance.

NINJAED! I was just going to mention that.

One thing you might consider, that adapter will hook up to a standard shore power cord (25' or 50'). That way you can keep the 15amp plug & cord out of the weather inside the boat and have the heavy duty 30amp cord outside.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shore Power

when you do make your own I recommend using one of the heavier extension cords.... It's a little extra coin but the smaller standard ext cords don't clamp very tightly in the 30 amp plug.... I used the light cord and it has been working fine for me for 2 years BUT I use it on dry land ... at a dock your boat will be constantly moving.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Shore Power

OK...wiring question. I have an L6-30 male end. I cut the end off of an extension cord.

Green is obviously the ground. I have black and white left. The plug wire inlets are labeled x and y. The instructions that cam with the plug aren't very clear.

Sorry...just realized this should be in the electrical thread.:redface:

 

[seabob4]

Re: Shore Power

Are not the retaining screws on the plug black and silver? On most plugs, the screws will be color coded, green/ground, black/hot, silver/neutral...

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Shore Power

Nope. All are brass screws. The ground screw has green die on it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shore Power

I had the same issue once... I just plugged it in (definitely be CAREFUL) and tested with my dvom.... 110 to ground = hot .... 0 to ground = neutral