[C38] shore power

[D McC]

Chuck,
On hull# 148 we have the single 30A breaker that services the entire 110V AC system on the boat. The 110V AC system is the original. 
~Dave
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Common Sense is a rare gift from the Gods.
Most people have only technical training!

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The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span those hours spent in sailing.

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When in doubt, try the vice You haven't tried before!


--- On Mon, 6/6/11, Chuck Finn <charles at finn.ws> wrote:

> From: Chuck Finn <charles at finn.ws>
> Subject: Re: [C38] shore power
> To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Date: Monday, June 6, 2011, 11:59 AM
> Patrick,
> Our main breaker is 30 amps, but this can be very
> misleading.  This is a 30 amp breaker, which feeds the
> two, 117-20 volt, 15 amp breakers.  There are two, 117
> volt circuits in our boats.  Usually, your battery
> charger and everything else is on one and your water heater
> is on the other.  The water heaters we commonly have
> are 1500 watt, which pretty much maxes out the one circuit
> breaker.  So, you get the other 15 amps to work
> with.  Now, you might think that gives you  15 x
> 120=1800 watts available, but is really about a max of 1500
> watts  (80-90% of max is considered relatively
> safe).   So, now you can add things up:
> 
> microwave:   600 - 1000 watts.
> hair dryer: 400 - 1000 watts.
> 
> What makes me write this is the wire outlet that
> melted.  This I believe is the "load" wire and the
> melting on the plug looks more like an "arcing" issue. 
> I think  Steve S. and Tom T. are better at this than I
> am, but there are two ways I know we get arc
> melting.   First is not shutting off your
> circuit breakers before unplugging, but I am guessing you do
> this.  Second is the problem caused by cords getting
> stretched as the boat moves on the dock.  I see this a
> lot at the marinas I visit.  Folks simply plug their
> boats in like they would a vacuum cleaner at home, with no
> attempt to secure the plug.  Yes, there are cords that
> have a threaded coupler, but I cannot see that yours is
> one.  Regardless, I have a rule that both ends of my
> electrical cord have a "wrap" around some secure point on my
> boat and the dock (I use the large winch).  I believe
> many marinas want you to take a wrap around the the power
> pedestal to protect their outlets and this is a rule at my
> yacht club.  Steve S. has an article all about this by
> the way!
> 
> Boat US reports this is a major issue regarding insurance
> fires on boats.  Perhaps we should be discussing this
> as well?
> 
> Chuck Finn
> Mighty Quinn  #114
> Great Lakes
> 
> 
> On 6/6/2011 1:51 PM, Patrick Harpole wrote:
> > A few days ago I asked for help determining loss of
> shore power.  Thanks for
> > the advice.  Turns out one terminal of the female
> connector to Marinco cable
> > melted down.  Local hardware sold connector for
> about $20.  Works fine.
> > Harbor Freight sells (about $20)device which plugs
> into wall then plug
> > appliance into other end.  It reads power
> consumed by appliance.  I believe
> > I was using too many amps, for example, hairdryer.
> > Patrick
> > "Blue Eyes"
> > 
> > 
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> 
> 
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