Chrysler Sailors Forum

Planning a trip and I want to make sure I can plug into the shore power at the marina. Happy Place is not currently set up with shorepower, as the correct marine plugs, cords, boxes and wires are a little out of my budget at this point. I'm hoping I can get away with using a adaptor and a high quality outdoor extension cord with a CFI.
Questions for the Chrysler collective...
-is the standard plug at the marina a 30amp locking 3 prong?
-is the marine plug a different pattern than a standard 30amp plug?
-other than watering proofing connections is there anything else I should be aware of to keep me from having a shocking good time?

Thanks

Hmmmm, my 20 came with a six plug multi outlet with a 15' yellow outdoor cord. Of course the only 'shorepower' I've hooked up with to date has been on my garage wall. Runs the fan and light just fine OK, gotta go back to work and stop being a smarta.. Sorry, couldn't help it.

Out of the two marinas I have leased from, both had the standard 30A - 3 prong NEMA L6-30 sockets.

All the marina's I've been in have provided a 30A shore power or no power.


Scott

Personally, I just got a long, heavy duty extension cord and cut off one end to install the 30 amp plug. In the boat I just plug in a power strip. I think I only did that once this year though. The battery and solar panel do everything we need.

Most marinas also have 3 prong 20 amp outlets at least around the hudson river. I use 2 50' 12 ga. cords usually 1 is enough.

I've seen both the 3 prong 115v normal home type plug in and the 30AMP big yellow connections at marina's.

I carry cords for both. Too cheap to buy that $80 pigtail that can go on my 30AMp big herking cable so I would only carry it and the pigtail. Well some day.

But you know me. I'm fully solar powered since 2009. No shore power what so ever since then. I added a second Solar panel this year.

Thanks
Alan

To follow Alans ideas,
Lady Jo has been totally solar power all summer this year and we've had zero problems.

Yes when the outboard runs, it charges but otherwise I have zero AC on board. She has chords but they go unused!


Going with all LED lights has really reduced my power usage but I do use a pulse when I start her outboard!

Scott

The only time I use shore power is for drill or sanders etc. the boat is not wired for shore power and I also have been solar for 3 years and even when on the hard during the winter the solar panel is outside.

Hey Alan-

Would you post a shot of how you have your solar panels deployed?

Thanks!

Mark

Solar is great, but it won't run an electric heater on Lake Superior in October

mcrandall wrote:Hey Alan-

Would you post a shot of how you have your solar panels deployed?

Thanks!

Mark

Well I don't think I have a photo of it, but it's really simple. One panel hangs inside on the aft Port window, the other hangs on the Aft Starboard window. Both from the OEM suction cups that came with the panels. I close the curtains over the back of the panels so the panels sit between the curtain and the windows. The panels are wired with clips right to the battery.

I get power when I get sun on ether side of the boat. I am 100% LED and my power draw is incredibly low. No Radio other then my old boom box. No GPS, just as simple as I can get her and still have everything I want with me.

Surprise, surprise I did find a photo Captain Scott took of me and my boat. where you can see one of the panels. Look at the aft window down by my foot. That is my first panel and it's installed location.

(double click and it will take you to a bigger view)

Oh, I also want to clarify. When stored, like in my driveway, I always keep a boat dehumidifier/fan thing running inside the boat and I do use 115 volt shore power to keep it running. Or should I say 115 volt house power.

I sail 100% solar and I do not use any battery charger since 2009 other then my panels. Battery has been 100% every time I've needed it. Even when I go out to work on her, I always have lights inside while it sits in the driveway. As close to set and forget as I can make it. Less yearly maintenance of course on the battery.

Thanks
Alan