Shore Power Inlet Plug Fire Hazard: Marinco vs. SmartPlug

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Bob. The wire looks like basic house wiring, but the print on it shows it is boat wire, 12 awg. Since it is "boat" spec'd, I'm thinking it is probably tinned and all. Again this is the wire that comes in from the back side of the Marinco male end in the cabin wall, and runs about 3 feet to the main boat shorepower system breaker. I'm pretty sure the Marinco cord uses 10 gauge wire, which is what I thought was required for 30 amps. But wondering if being such a short length, 12 gauge is acceptable. I'm assuming this was put in at the factory, otherwise the selling dealer. If the 12 gauge is fine, great. If not, then I should probably replace it with 10 gauge when I install the new smart plug receptacle.

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:02 pm Post subject:

As we had a discussion of this type of subject a few months ago. You want the entire circuit carring that 30 amp max load to be the 10 gauge. After the main breaker, is a different story. I would also be sure that the new inlet be 10 gauge; there may be times when you have to run the total lengh at 50 + feet.

Don't assume that all "marine wire" is tinned. I had one entire boat I rewired, which had non tinned wire. AWG vs SAE is also an issue, with the thickness of strands of wire. ABYC does not require tinned wire. There are any number of smaller cheaper boats which do not use tinned wire.

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:15 pm Post subject:

We use a simple adapter to go from 30amp connections to our 15amp cord to the boat. That is the normal configuration for us so we have a couple wraps of rescue tape on the adapter to cord interface to keep them together and keep moisture out. Just hope you didn't go 30amp because of the dock connections only.

Greg

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:55 am Post subject:

Greg, that was one concern, dock connections that is. But a big factor was just looking at resale, if that were to ever happen! Smile

The boat came with shore power, so as much as I hate spending the money, I'm just looking at this event as an upgrade. Kind of an expensive way to make using shore power less of a hassle (as I see it with 50' of bulky cord...) as I probably could have accomplished the same thing by just getting a shorter Marinco cord and leaving well enuf alone. But I do see advantages of switching to the Smart Plug system. Bob, I agree with you. I will replace that 12 gauge with 10 gauge when I put the new connector in. Hopefully my local West Marine sells it by the foot, and what they have is tinned! Colby

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject:

Well now that I have all the new parts, I've got to say this Smart Plug system actually seems beefier than the old system. And when I consider how I use shore power the 30 amp setup really is overkill. There is a part of me that says this will be a good system. But the simpler part of me, using my boat a/c electrics in very simple ways, wishes I would have just pulled the old system out and replaced it with the 15amp connector, and heavy duty cold weather extension cord...
Confused

Colby

Wefings · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 11:48 pm Post subject:

FYI Wefings is now a Smartplug distibutor . So if you want to support the folks that support this site , give us a shot at the business . Yes we will price match !
Marc

Two Bears · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:51 am Post subject:

Don't forget that if you go "boater homing" and stay in RV parks you will need RV adapters.

Since I don't have much draw but LED lights, the fridge and the battery charger, I converted to a normal 15 amp plug and have a 50 foot medium duty (14 gage) extension cord and then a bunch of adapters for various power outlets = marine "round" and RV types go on the far "power pedestal end of the cord. One of my best choices was to get a extension cord with a "power-present" lite that shows when you have power, as it seems half the power pedestals have been turned off, don't work or have some problem. Several times I've needed the full 50 feet and one time went without power when the only working power pedestal was about 75 feet away.

Chuck

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:33 pm Post subject:

I have various "adapters" I've purchased or made, so no problem there. Even kept an old GFCI adapter from when I use to have a motorhome and did a lot of staying in campgrounds. The Smart Plug does appear to be an improvement on the old Marinco style setup. But really, how many of us need 30 amp service on our 22' C-dory's? I think in the long run, it probably would have been cheaper for me to have changed out the main breaker in my shore power system, and just gone down to 15 or 20 amps. Unless one is going to run several high amperage drawing items at the same time, 15 amps really is enough. I guess the main reason I stayed with the 30 amp system that was already on the boat, was due to most marinas having that as a minimum. It's rare to even find a standard 15 amp outlet anymore in the marinas. In fact, I may still return it all (or sale it for cheap here) and convert to 15 amp service. This is probably one purchase I should have sat on a little longer.... Sad

Will-C

My thinking would be not to downgrade any of the standard boat systems if you ever intend to sell your boat. I'm thinking if I was looking at two similar boats and one had the standard 30 amp setup and the other had a non marine 15 amp shore power setup I would wonder where other corners might have been cut that might not be visible. The other issue is if you ever had an electrical fire (God forbid)what would the insurance company have to say about non marine type electrical devices. It's only money. That's just me. JMHO.
D.D.

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:36 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I know...that was the thought that had me replacing the Marinco with the Smart Plug in the first place. But still a PITA to deal with considering the only thing I use electricity for is the battery charger, and on occasion a small portable electric heater. Items that easily fall under 15 amps, even when both used at the same time!

Sunbeam

Will-C

This is not my cross to bear. I'm just looking at a forum and posting my thoughts. I'm thinking the Marina's I go to only have the standard 30 amp or 50 amp plug receptacles available at the power pedestals. Maybe a perspective buyer won't notice. But, no matter it's not my boat so what ever floats your boat is fine with me. I did mine myself it did not seem to be all that big of a deal. Our boat came equipped with a 30 amp plug so I figure they must know something. We carry a adapter for 20 amp which what we normally use in an RV park but still coupled to our standard 30 amp cord.
D.D.

Sunbeam

Will-C

I'm not sure I'm getting the heavy part of a shore power system. A breaker panel a couple GFI outlets a battery charger and a shore power inlet socket. Neutral

I mean how much could that weigh? In looking at Defender's catalog I don't notice any 20 amp cords just some 20 amp adapters. I'm not making the call that anything is slip shod. I'm just stating 30 amp seems to be a standard in the marine Industry. If someone wants to install a two amp setup have at it. So no matter how you use your boat if you are going to install a shore power setup my opinion won't change. I say the 30 amp plug is the standard in the industry.
D.D.

RobLL · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 4:36 pm Post subject:

I think I am about to close on a boat, and it does not have shore power, and for the most part I do not need it. But can I have an integrated extension cord with appropriate connecting plugs and GFI. One 15 amp would be OK, so would a cord with two 15 amp plugs?