I like the idea of shore power connectors at both ends of
a longer boat...less clutter. I've stepped on more power
cords (and rolled my ankle) on the side decks than I care
to admit. Of course, I've rolled my ankle on lines too..

The below postings bring up an interesting question though.
If a "dual feed" setup was desired,what would be the proper
configuration?
1. Both shore power lines brought to the AC panel, and wired
to a 2-pole 2-throw center-off switch, followed by a circuit
breaker....(ensures no power to the inactive "branch")
2. Each shore power line fed to their own circuit breakers,
then to the switch...(just in case the switch somehow goes foobar)
3. A "box" inside of which the shore power lines terminate in
female receptacles, and a short jumper cord selects which
ever circuit was desired...( two more connections to worry about)
4. Any other methods? How would you wire it?
Another question...would it be wise to leave the safety grounds and
nuetrals connected together, and only select only the hot side?
(My answer would be no...the reason should be obvious)
Norm B


On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 10:15:52 -0400, Sam wrote:


Hate to barge in but there is some potentially dangerous advice in a
post here. Apologies to the original poster but this is a bad idea:


My other suggestion, depending on the length of your boat, is to
install a second AC hook-up. Mine is in the cockpit and the 50 foot
cord must cross about 31 feet of deck, 5 feet of Zodiac, 6 feet of
dock finger and 4 feet of rise to get to the plug. Far better, I
think, would be to have a second plug at the bow
end...somewhere...allowing a shorter cord to be used and giving one
the opinion of docking in other slips stern in or bow in without
hauling too much or too little shore power cord. Less stuff on deck
that way as well.


In order to add a second shore power inlet, you would need to have both
the new and old inlets connected in parallel to each other via the shore
power system. This is potentially very dangerous.

The shore power inlets on boats feature male connections (in other words
metal prongs under the water tight lids). If you put two in parallel and
apply shore power to one inlet the prongs on the other are LIVE. Someone
opening the cover and touching a prong is going to get a surprise.

If you really DO intend to have two shore power inlets, they must be
switched so that only one can ever be "in circuit" at a time.

And, since I have already barged in he

Use tinned stranded wire for AC as well. No less than 14awg, bigger is
better. There are published guidelines for current capacity/distance
that should be followed, but bigger is better.

Finally, install a GFCI for every AC outlet on the vessel. I got a
dramatic demonstration 2 years ago, when I stepped in a puddle from
showering (barefotot naturally) as I turned on an electrical device in
the head. The GFCI blew instantly. Now what do you suppose would have
happened to me if it hadn't popped?

GFCI's are cheap insurance. Beats waking up dead any day! They don't
stand up to salt water very well though. So if you cruise in salty air,
expect to replace once in a while. But GFCI's are cheap insurance as I said.