Power adapter for marinas

Mike_J · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 12:31 am Post subject: Power adapter for marinas

Hi, I am not yet planning to set up my CD22 to have a 120 V system on board, but am tempted to get an adapter that will allow me to use a regular 3 pin outdoor extension cord to power the odd device aboard. Is there a fairly standard adapter that is used for getting power at marinas, or do most marinas also support a standard 15A 120 V plug?

Dreamer · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 2:37 am Post subject:

Mike,

If you're referring to Friday Harbor, The pedestals have just 30 amp outlets as I recall. Pretty easy to get a 30 amp male and a 15 amp female connector at Home Depot wit a couple feet of #8 3-wire cable and make up an adapter.

Morning Star · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 7:47 am Post subject:

West Marine carries a Marinco adaptor for around $50. It is an easy way to go. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1004518&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50523&subdeptNum=50524&classNum=50526#.UY4vEsu9KSM

Mike_J · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 8:09 am Post subject:

Thanks! I may pick up the west marine adapter unless the Home depot bits are much cheaper.

colobear · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 9:24 am Post subject:

Mike,

The parts at HD are more together than the West Marine item as I recall. We have a good relationship with the WM in Friday harbor and they give us a discount on many items while we are there so you might want to make sure they have what you need and then get it there. We do not have "shore power" on our boat but I do have a GFI protected setup I'll be glad to show you while we are there.

Mike_J · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 9:51 am Post subject:

Should the following items work?
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/15-amp-locking-plug-125vc-2-pole-3-wire/903849
and http://www.homedepot.ca/product/pvc-connector-3-wire-yellow/903730

I think I may wait until Friday harbor and see what others have... Under two weeks now! Smile

potter water · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 10:54 am Post subject:

I have the "home depot" version and it works fine. BUT, the regular marine adapter will serve you better over time. I have had my boat in one marina where the dock walker came along and told me that I needed a marine certified adapter, not my HD special to be legal with their marina requirements. So that is something else to consider. They like that bright yellow color. I also think that the marine adapter will hold up to corrosion in salt environments better. So saving a buck may not be the best investment. I built the HD special because I couldn't find a marine adapter near buy at the time and couldn't wait for shipping.

Mike_J · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that heads up Susan/Harry. I am now thinking I will wait until next weekend and see what they have at the Friday Harbor West Marine.

thataway · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 5:13 pm Post subject:

bridma · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 8:05 pm Post subject: Power adapter for marinas

thataway · Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject:

Hmm, sometimes strange things happen--and a blank post.
The point was that the 15 amp plug at Home depot was most likely a difference spread and slightly different spade design than the 30 amp marine which Home Depot also sells. Best to go with the marine version and a 10 gauge yellow cored between the 30 amp plug and connector for 15 amps.

I make my own adaptors, but they are with marine components--probably less corrosion. The current one is a 10 gauge heavy duty extension cord with the molded 15 amp connector, with a 30 amp marine plug--all yellow and weather sealed.

primative · Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject:

Happy Mothers day.

I have the same set up as Bob, although this happened the 1st time I planned on using it.

I was at the marina I would be using a couple months prior to a planned trip and looked at the outlet which was 30 amp. So I made up the above rig and ready to go for four days at oregon coast in Feb. (blessed with a reasonable weather window). I come in at the end of the day with some bay dinner and glad to be with my visiting brother from Alaska, recuperating from hip surgery. I proceed to set up for the evening when I discover every pedestal on the dock arm I'm on is 20 amp. It turns out the dock arm I had checked earlier for sizing was for commercial/charter boats and the dock arms for recreational boats which I was assigned were 20 amp. Hmmm. We just ran the Wallas more without the quartz heater I had brought to suppliment, and had the right sleeping bags. We had good time. So I still have never used shore power at a dock, but am softening up some and will be in the future.

I guess an additional 20 amp rig of sorts for this type of marina is best.

Tom