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FIREFLY · 23-06-2010, 02:26

hi folks , im new to boats with shore power and bow thrusters. my first question is when connecting your shore power do you connect to the boat first then to the jetty and when removing it do you reverse the sequence ?

thanks
FIREFLY

Pelagic · 23-06-2010, 03:03

Sorry double post

Pelagic · 23-06-2010, 03:08

First of all… welcome to CF !

Normally you would have a breaker on the dock and also a specific shore power Main breaker on board with some kind of voltage meter and probably a ground fault indicator so you can monitor what is available.

With both off, plug in at both ends then turn on dock side breaker.

Your on board meter should indicate 230V or 110V depending on your system and no ground fault indication.

Then you turn on the on board main breaker and then individual AC loads… (one at a time) …if they are on separate breakers, so as not to get an initial surge of everything coming on at once.

Removing is pretty much the reverse.

Get used to feeling the temperature of your shore cable and connectors as it is a simple way to tell if a connection is a bit loose and getting hot

SoundOfSilence · 23-06-2010, 03:13

I have read somewhere that there is a rule for this, but I have never cared about it and never had any problems. Don't think it matters too much which end you put in first.

Rune

**GordMay** · 23-06-2010, 04:49

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, FIREFLY

Turn off the main circuit breakers, on both the dockside and vessel electrical distribution systems, before plugging the shore power cord in.

Yes, you have it right:
Plug the female end of the shore power cord into the boat first, and then the dockside pedestal.
Disconnect the shore side before disconnecting the boat side.

This ensures that the boat end is never energised when disconnected, and free to fall in the water.

I test the polarity on any unfamiliar shore power receptacle, prior to using it.
Attach a standard 15A female cord cap to a 30 twistlok male plug, and you can use a cheap receptacle tester.
➥ Ideal Receptacle Testers

More information
See also ➥ http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/pdf/recalls/BSC81.pdf

CarlF · 23-06-2010, 05:02

And always be sure - very sure - that you turn the plug in the outlet to lock it. We had a small fire in the marina this spring from arcing inside an outlet where the plug that had not been turned.

Carl

swagman · 23-06-2010, 06:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREFLY

hi folks , im new to boats with shore power and bow thrusters. my first question is when connecting your shore power do you connect to the boat first then to the jetty and when removing it do you reverse the sequence ?

thanks
FIREFLY

100% correct - as Gord says it means any accidental drop of a plug into the water does not blow the power source or surprise any little fishes swimming close by!

Enjoy the added manouvrability you'll be getting with the bow thruster.
Don't rely on it totally as you'll drive your neighbours mad, but if you've not been informed already remember they consume so much power it is best to use them in never more than a 4 second burst.

And I guess congratulations if it is a new boat for you!

Cheers
JOHN

FIREFLY · 24-06-2010, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagman

100% correct - as Gord says it means any accidental drop of a plug into the water does not blow the power source or surprise any little fishes swimming close by!

Enjoy the added manouvrability you'll be getting with the bow thruster.
Don't rely on it totally as you'll drive your neighbours mad, but if you've not been informed already remember they consume so much power it is best to use them in never more than a 4 second burst.

And I guess congratulations if it is a new boat for you!

Cheers
JOHN

thanks John, I have a lot to learn about my new boat !! delighted I ordered a bow thruster and shore power as extras and again I now have running water and inside loo and shower !!

denise
FIREFLY