Refreshing shore power cables

[David Mathis]

After several years (15-20) in the sun, the 30 amp yellow shore power cable is getting stiff. It stays on the same dock in the same position, other than minor movements due to the wind moving the boat, for the entire season. Since it's our home dock, the cable stays there even when the boat heads out for a week or a month cruise. The ends are fine, it's just really stiff. So far, it hasn't cracked but, without something to reduce the stiffness, it won't be long before it's no longer useful. Is anyone aware of a product to soften the yellow plastic?

[Bill O]

After 15-20 yrs of service, it lived a good life and would probably be time to just purchase a replacement.

Have you ever taken the ends apart to clean/inspect for corrosion?

[David Mathis]

They're sealed so they can't be taken apart for inspection. However, the female outlets on the cable and on the dock get blown out with compressed air after a thin fine file is used to clean them then they are packed with marine grease. Corrosion does not appear to be a problem as they do not get warm even when running an a/c with the water heater on.