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BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 6:08 pm    Post subject: Smart Plug Discussion Reply with quote

Smart pluf discussion of Active Captain FB page

I thought you might be interested

https://www.facebook.com/groups/activecaptain/permalink/1666127173427831/

So far not a lot of details

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gulfcoast john



Joined: 14 Dec 2012
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City/Region: PENSACOLA
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C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
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PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 6:56 pm    Post subject: smartplug Reply with quote

Brent,
I'm very suspicious because he didn't contact Smartplug prior to putting this on Facebook. This picture is the boat inlet...what's the wiring look like on the other side of this inlet? Too small?
You can not buy a shorepower system with more contact area and safety features at any price. In fact, most boaters won't consider it as they think the price is already too high compared to the twist-lock Marinco/EEL systems designed for the RV industry 70 years ago.

SmartPlugs 7-year warranty ( 1 yr for Marinco) is amazing. I called because the blue LED light on my 50-ft inlet plug quit working at 3 years. (The only power cord in the industry that uses all tinned conductors). I cringed at the thought of the cost of mailing back this HEAVY 50ft shorepower cord. But they only asked for some pics of the problem, and sent me a brand new 50 ft cord free!
That is incredible customer service!
I advocate changing any 30amp shorepower inlet on any C-Dory to a SmartPlug system...a 20 minute job, and their cords are expensive, but more likely to safely last the life of your boat.
Happy AC power!
John

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BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey John

I agree with you
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is something a bit wrong here. He claimed to use a "50 amp plug" because he wanted to have plenty of reserve, since he was using 30 amp circuit. We don't know all of the details. but this is the upper pole--and this is the neutral for the 50 amp system. (one poster said it was the second hot leg, (red) but that is not what the diagram for that plug shows--the white or neutral.)

So how was he wiring the 50 amp plug for a 30 amp circuit? We don't know.

Moral, wire the plug as it is intended. Be sure any connection is tight, use anti corrosion grease on the blades.

I am not commenting on the Face Book, since I use a pseudonym on Face book.

Water intrusion is possible, but this should be the upper pole of the plug, and not the one to collect water.

You cannot know exactly what happened, unless you have all of the facts, and photos of the exact wiring, how the other wiring looks, and a circuit diagram of how he did the job.

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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If one doesn't want to pay the steep higher cost for the Smartplug system that's fine, but don't fool yourself into thinking it isn't a superior product. Most anything made can fail or especially be made to fail. A few years ago when I first read about Smartplug, I checked out my Marinco connections & saw they had burnt marks & were loose. I immediately ordered the Shorepower replacement & much prefer how the cable connects to the boat receptacle & very thankful that a Smartplug vs Marinco thread was posted here back then & good for Brent now for bringing it up again. Debate on this is good at the very least it should get some checking their shorepower connections.
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Will-C



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:43 am    Post subject: Smart Plug Discussion Reply with quote

I always thought that the thermal breaker on the boat's inlet was a great idea. It's easy enough to convert your existing power cord with a Smart Plug end. I did not see the need to spring for one of their power cords as ours seemed fine. Good product and a great company. IMHO
D.D.

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ssobol



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone know the difference between the 30 amp Smart Plug stuff and the 32 amp Smart Plug?

Their website shows both, but when looking to buy them I only see the 30 amp size.
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BTDT



Joined: 07 Jan 2011
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FWIW- I'm impressed by the construction of my 30 amp SmartPlug and the firmness of how it attaches compared with my old Marinco system. That said, there is big difference between a 50 amp system and 30 amp system. The 50 amp system uses two hot legs of alternating current to reduce the load on the neutral (zero current when using 220 volt devices) whereas on a 30 amp setup all current must flow in the one hot leg and out the one neutral leg. If the owner used the two 50 amp hot legs to provide input current in excess of 30 amps than he could/would have overloaded the return leg (neutral) causing it to overheat.

I do not think this is a SmartPlug versus Marinco issue but rather operator error or one of those 'fate-is-the-hunter' moments

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BrentB



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have not seen additional replies from the original poster

I guess we will never know the facts
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