Ordered MARINCO GFCI, received LEVITON in MARINCO packaging

F

ferret30

New member
I'm working on installing shore power on our boat. I've bought most of the components locally (Fisheries Supply), but couldn't find the white MARINCO GFCI receptacle locally (everyone has beige or nothing).

I went on Amazon and found it for $41, shipped from and sold by Amazon, which usually means a rock solid experience. I ordered it yesterday and received it today. It came in an authentic looking package, a plastic bag with a MARINCO cardboard label showing the correct part number.

I noticed that the receptacle inside didn't have the terminal clamps under the screws like a marine device would have for stranded wire. Then I noticed the receptacle face looked like the ones in our kitchen with the "Pro" insignia and LED in the corner. Then I noticed the LEVITON sticker on the back and the part number. It was a $10 GFCI that you would find at Lowes, Home Depot, etc.

Amazon is sending a new one overnight without requesting the old one back. I highly doubt Amazon would be responsible for this, but I do suspect their supplier, or another customer who intentionally returned the wrong item for a refund. Let's see what comes in the mail tomorrow!
 
I suspect that this is Marinco Issue because I ordered a Marinco GFCI receptacle
from West Marine Last year and instead received a Leviton GFCI that you could buy at Lowes for $10. In fact I had an identical GFCI in my tool box.
But hey, it came in a Marinco labeled bubble-pack so it must be approved for marine use. Go figure.

Mike
 
Wow. Boats are supposed to use stranded wire, and the type of terminals on a Leviton GFCI just have the screw (no clamp), so there's no decent way to clamp down on the flexible wire. I sent a message to MARINCO about it yesterday.

The receptacle I received does not match the picture on Amazon's or MARINCO's website.

If MARINCO is doing this then it's extremely dishonest. The Leviton receptacle has a sticker across the back saying to read the instructions before installing, but there are *no* instructions in the bag. Also, there are no instructions on MARINCO's website for this item.
 
I called Fisheries Supply out of curiosity and they verified that the item inside the package is also LEVITON. So MARINCO is putting $12 GFCI receptacles that *aren't* marine or damp environment rated, *do not* have stranded wire clamps, into their own packaging and selling them for $42. These are only UL listed, not ABYC.

And Amazon is sending a replacement for free, when it wasn't Amazon's fault.

Fisheries Supply said I could put ring terminals under the screws, but that's not practical since backing the screws are threaded into a metal clamp that's loose inside the GFCI housing.

I am extremely annoyed that Marinco is misrepresenting this product, charging $42 for a repackaged $12 item.

I'll post back when I have heard from Marinco and ABYC.
 
I am not too surprised--and consider that many companies do not manufacture their "product"--they just rebadge someone else's fixtures.

It is common to use the ring terminals on fixtures such as this. I have done it many times. I suspect that you will not find a "marine" item. If you want the closest--consider an outdoor fixture. But in reality these are installed inside of the boat. (I get mine from Home Depot--at their price).

Amazon is mostly a reseller--and they had contracted with some other supplier who drop shipped the item.
 
The thing is it doesn't match the picture or description, and if you take the screw all the way off to put a ring connector on the threaded part inside gets loose and rattles around inside...
 
Maybe you got their attention--at least one Amazon site lists the 1591 plug out of stock. On the other hand, West Marine lists it for $25.99 and Jamestown Distributers at $57.99--

Just don't day "marine"....
 
Try checking out WWW HUBBELL - MARINE.COM
They have a good selection of GFCI power cords including one with a 30 amp twistlock plug to a 15 amp female for marine use.
You can also buy GFCI cords on Amazon made by Stanley or Coleman, not necessarily marine rated but I have 1 of the Stanley cords and it is well made and fairly "damproof". They also have a 15 amp breaker built in.
I have heard rumours that the ABYC is working on a replacement for the 30amp twistlock , but untill then it is your only option to plug in at many marinas.
Regards, Rob
 
Hi Rob, I'm installing a shore power system on my boat so the GFCI is going to be a receptacle inside the boat.

I thought about the GFCI inline route, but read that these weren't that safe for shore power use, but more designed to run power tools while working on the boat.

Also, it sounded nice to be able to run a heater or electric blanket in the cooler months, so I went with a full 30A shore power setup.
 
If I were adding shore power from the start, I might want review one of Wild Blue's later posts with pictures touting the benefits of using the new Smart Plug receptacle and cord end. A little pricey but then again so are boat fires. I looked at the package of the new Smart Plug receptacle and the matching plug end for an existing power cord $191 dollars thru Defender marine.. The marina end of the power cord stays the same. http://search.defender.com/?expression= ... ug&x=9&y=4
or go www.defender.com once you get there type in smart plug in the search box. Just a thought.
D.D.
 
Will-C":1k7ezuvs said:
If I were adding shore power from the start, I might want review one of Wild Blue's later posts with pictures touting the benefits of using the new Smart Plug receptacle and cord end. A little pricey but then again so are boat fires. I looked at the package of the new Smart Plug receptacle and the matching plug end for an existing power cord $191 dollars thru Defender marine.. The marina end of the power cord stays the same. http://search.defender.com/?expression= ... ug&x=9&y=4
or go www.defender.com once you get there type in smart plug in the search box. Just a thought.
D.D.
Click to expand...

For total disclosure, I didn't replace my plug just because of the benefits of the Smart Plub, but because of an arc on the standard plug. I could have replaced the old plug with a similar, but the Smart Plug just seems like a better solution. All the various adapters I have (15 amp. 20 amp, 30 amp RV) will still fit in the shore side of our power cord. The Smart Plug is a straight in connection with considerably more contact area and less stress on the electrical contacts. It locks in place on both sides, is weather-proof, and has an integrated trip thermostat built in to the rear of the plug.

More expensive, but safer and better built for a marine environment. We are living on our boat this summer - better safe than sorry.

Jim
 
Hey Ferret - all that talk about sleeping in the boat on a cool night with a heater and an electric blanket almost made me wish it was October already!! :lol:
The Smart Plug that Will and Jim menioned is what I was reading about. I think the ABYC is trying to convince marinas to change their setup to accept it at their end as well. Arching is a problem with the 30 amp twistlock as Jim said.
One thing I liked on the Hubbell website is that some of their devices offer GFCI protection at the marina plugin before any lines run to your boat. Sounded like a good idea to me.
I have a small Dometic refer that runs on propane at an extended anchorage but when under way it runs on 120v. I use the Stanley GFCI power cord for that plugged into my inverter.
Regards, Rob
 
Here's the final word on the subject. Marinco's just gouging the consumer!

Hi Sean,

Thanks for your e-mail. There is no requirement for a "marine grade" GFCI in ABYC E-11. To properly wire a traditional GFCI (or outlet for that matter) one would use captive spade terminals. These are the typical spade with the upturned ends to retain the connector should the screw vibrate loose. A ring terminal is a good option as well, but traditionally the threads on these devices have a lock, not allowing them to be completely removed to install the ring terminal. Typical household GFCI outlets are used all the time in compliance with E-11. The main concerns are ignition protection and compatibility with an inverter (if used). These units are not ignition protected and should not be installed in a gasoline engine, tank or fitting space, "daisy chaining" is ok. Many inverters will trip a non-compatible GFCI, so select the one that works with the inverter you have. There is no ABYC approval process, only manufacturers that state they "comply" with the standard.

For specific information on the Marinco unit, you would have to call them directly as we have no information on their packaging or units.

Thanks for your e-mail, let me know if you have any further questions.

Regards,


John Adey
President
ABYC
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