I want to add a simple shore power hook-up.
I know I'll need a through the wall cover and plug recptical that is wired
to a breaker. From the breaker I would guess to a std GFI plug-in for
running heaters or small appliances? And if I want to hook up an automatic
battery chage from the breaker to the charger.

Is it that simple or do I have to run any special grounding. If so please
explain the grounding in detail. I've heard there may be special grounding
but do not understand what the special grounding is about or what and where
it grounds to. I figured that the grounding would come from the shore power
circuit on the dock.

Hello Bob,

It is almost that simple. It is somewhat different from installing a
branch circuit in your house, though.

The green shore power wire should be connected to the boat's underwater
ground system (which is generally the boat's DC ground system) per the
ABYC.

Doing so can raise other issues: it could provide a path for galvanic
currents that erode your prop, etc. A galvanic isolator could prevent
such currents, but depending on where you dock, may not be necessary.

Not doing so raises other issues involving safety. I would stick with
the ABYC standards for AC and DC wiring.

I think if you search the web, you'll find plenty of detailed
information on what you want to do. If you have specific questions,
we'll try to answer them for you.

Good luck.

Chuck

bob wrote:
I want to add a simple shore power hook-up.
I know I'll need a through the wall cover and plug recptical that is wired
to a breaker. From the breaker I would guess to a std GFI plug-in for
running heaters or small appliances? And if I want to hook up an automatic
battery chage from the breaker to the charger.

Is it that simple or do I have to run any special grounding. If so please
explain the grounding in detail. I've heard there may be special grounding
but do not understand what the special grounding is about or what and where
it grounds to. I figured that the grounding would come from the shore power
circuit on the dock.

bob wrote:

I want to add a simple shore power hook-up.

snip

Absolutely the simplest, safest, most reliable, lowest cost system is a
simple extension cord.

Plug one end into shore power, bring the other end on board and plug the
coffee pot,etc into it.

You will need a 30A/15A adapter to accept the coffee pot, etc which is a
simple item to make.

Lew

"Lew Hodgett" wrote

Absolutely the simplest, safest, most reliable, lowest cost system
is a simple extension cord.

Safest? Not if you you use it the way you do!

Plug one end into shore power, bring the other end on board ...

The golden rule of shore power is that you attach and secure the boat
end first and then the reverse when you disconnect.

Walking around the dock holding a live plug in your hand is dumb,
dumb, dumb. If you trip and go into the water, you're just going to
flounder around conscious and wondering why your hand won't reach for
the dock edge, and your feet won't kick. Bad way to die.

--

Roger Long

The danger of using a simple extension cord shows up when the boater in
the next slip manages to connect the hot 120 volt wire to the water.

There are a number of classic ways in which this has been done, such as
with automotive battery chargers, home-wired extension cords, etc.

No, his breaker won't trip because the current through the water will
not rise to the 15 amp level. That unhealthy situation could exist
undetected for months. So you now place one hand on the mast and grab
the coffee pot with the other and electrocution is possible.

Of course, in a glass boat with no metal under water, you'd probably be
safe (not the case with most sailboats though).

The idea is to make sure that the boat's AC ground (connected to the
water) is at the same potential as the green grounding wire on the shore
power system. You do that by connecting the two.

Chuck

Lew Hodgett wrote:
bob wrote:

I want to add a simple shore power hook-up.

snip

Absolutely the simplest, safest, most reliable, lowest cost system is a
simple extension cord.

Plug one end into shore power, bring the other end on board and plug the
coffee pot,etc into it.

You will need a 30A/15A adapter to accept the coffee pot, etc which is a
simple item to make.

Lew

chuck wrote in news:nfnRf.3818$k75.3159
@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net:

So you now place one hand on the mast and grab
the coffee pot with the other and electrocution is possible.


Couldn't we just put the coffee pot in the galley, instead of on top of the
cabin near the mast?....(c;

By the way, the coffee pot is NOT hooked to either side of the line, so
you'll have to touch the mast and the internal wiring terminals inside the
boiler at the same time to get shocked. Anyone stupid enough to do that
deserves to die. I've never been shocked by touching the plastic case on a
coffee pot, however...

Sure thing, Larry.

I agree: a plastic case on a double-insulated pot ought to be pretty
safe. What I really had in mind though was an appliance that had the
equipment grounding conductor connected to the case. Some electric
drills and other power tools possibly found on boats still use metal
cases and three-prong plugs. As for the mast, for many of us, the mast
is IN the galley, along with the engine, and most everything else. )

Chuck

Larry wrote:
chuck wrote in news:nfnRf.3818$k75.3159
@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net:


So you now place one hand on the mast and grab
the coffee pot with the other and electrocution is possible.



Couldn't we just put the coffee pot in the galley, instead of on top of the
cabin near the mast?....(c;

By the way, the coffee pot is NOT hooked to either side of the line, so
you'll have to touch the mast and the internal wiring terminals inside the
boiler at the same time to get shocked. Anyone stupid enough to do that
deserves to die. I've never been shocked by touching the plastic case on a
coffee pot, however...

Roger Long wrote:

"Lew Hodgett" wrote

Absolutely the simplest, safest, most reliable, lowest cost system
is a simple extension cord.


Safest? Not if you you use it the way you do!

Plug one end into shore power, bring the other end on board ...


The golden rule of shore power is that you attach and secure the boat
end first and then the reverse when you disconnect.

Walking around the dock holding a live plug in your hand is dumb,
dumb, dumb. If you trip and go into the water, you're just going to
flounder around conscious and wondering why your hand won't reach for
the dock edge, and your feet won't kick. Bad way to die.



Strong argument for a GFI circuit on board?

Won't protect you from shore power mishaps, but from your own boat?

I wouldn't have expected to see "GFI" and "argument for" in the same
sentence.

--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
I wouldn't have expected to see "GFI" and "argument for" in the same
sentence.

Why? Is there something wrong with them? All of the outlets on my
boat are GFCI's; I assume they provide some protection.