Repowering Shorepower

[Capt. Rich]

Hello All, I have a 1987 50 foot Marine Trader Widebody. It has one 30 amp service for AC and one 30 amp for house electric.. It has a 15 KW and 5KW generator. The 15 KW will energize the boat and all 5 AC units. The existing shorepower will power-up 1 large AC or 2 small units, and I think the appliance compressors are not always running properly- 2 freezers, 1 fridge,etc. At the dock I usually have one 50 amp service with the pigtail splitter for 2 30 amp cords. Any suggestions for an upgrade to more dockside power.

[btrayfors]

Two options:

1. upgrade to 50A 120/250 service; or
2. add a third 30A inlet/line/breaker/etc.

The first is by far the more preferable, though not cheap.

That would give you two 50A @ 120V lines from the boat inlet (giving you a total of 100A compared to the existing 60A).

The 50A inlets are the same size as 30A, so would fit in the existing hole.

You'd need to upgrade the wiring in the boat to AWG 6 from the inlet to the breaker & panel(s).

Suggest you contact a local qualified marine electrician before proceeding.

Bill