Shore Power 50a, ned advice from bahama's cruisers

[cvcsmkr]

Hi, I am converting the 30a shore power to 50a in new to me boat. We will be primarily cruising the Bahamas & Florida.

All wiring upgraded to #6. The appliances are only 120v, no 240 on vessel.

There is (2) A/C (10k & 16k) + Electric cooktop. Also have 3k Victron Inverter, (2) 10a Battery Chargers. Small electric water heater but I dont think we'll be using it. Boat also has a 3.5kw diesel genset.

Two questions:

1. 50a/120 or 50a/120/240?

I am at the point of installing the shore power inlet. It looks like I can go either 50a/120 or 50a/120/240. The other power leg would never be used if I went with the latter.

Im thinking of doing the 120v, the cord is lighter and In the event a leg is missing at the dock I could use an Y adapter to pickup the leg that has power.

2. What length cable? I see 25' & 50' are common.

I carry an extension in my RV, is it recommended to do the same for the boat?

(The shore power connection is 8' from the stern on the strbd side)

Thanks in advance!

[smac999]

nobody uses 50a 120. you will not find that plug on any docks. the 50a 120 plug is different then the 50a 120/240

docks are going to be 30a 120 or 50a 120/240

you might be better off adding a 2nd 30a 120v inlet and breaker panel for the A/C. if you only need 50a total 120v and not the whole 50a 240v

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by smac999

nobody uses 50a 120. you will not find that plug on any docks. the 50a 120 plug is different then the 50a 120/240

docks are going to be 30a 120 or 50a 120/240

Agree, I doubt you will ever find a marina with 120/50. I used to have a boat that came from the factory wired like that and the previous owner had power cords made special with 50a female end and 30a male end. Everyone had 30a, no one had 50a.

[cvcsmkr]

Thanks for the input Smac999 & Chuck.

Another question, if I were to go with twin 30's, do most pedestal's feed the individual 30a with the same leg of power? or do most pedestal's feed each 30a with a different leg producing 240v?

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by cvcsmkr

Another question, if I were to go with twin 30's, do most pedestal's feed the individual 30a with the same leg of power? or do most pedestal's feed each 30a with a different leg producing 240v?

AFAIK, most use two separate phases for their 30A/125V receptacles.

And that's the reason "Smart Y" combiners can usually work to join the two 30A/125V supplies into a single 50A/250V supply (except what you really get is only 30A/250V or two legs of 30A/125V).

-Chris

[sailingharry]

You asked about length. We are a 43 ft boat so a little longer than you. As a sailing monohull, backing is a little difficult and I often go into a marina bow in. As a result, our 50ft shore power cord is frequently not long enough. I carry a 12 gauge household electric cord that is 75 ft, and with adapters that is often my short power cord. Our loads consist of a battery charger, so that is fine.

My point is you will find the 25 ft cord inadequate frequently, unless you always back in.

Actually, my comments above about frequently and often are inaccurate. We left home June 9th and plugged in yesterday, 5 weeks later, for the first time. LOL

[GreenWave]

On length of cord I would ideally want a 25' and a 50' that could be joined when necessary.

[ranger58sb]

We carry a 75' cord on installed on the Cablemaster, and another50' cord as an extension.

We've not had to use the extension recently, but it's quite common to need a full 50' of the installed cord. Some of that is sometimes about routing to minimize a trip hazard.

-Chris