Electrical/battery charging question

[MattFX4]

I'm in the process of putting my boat in a wet slip and ran in to an issue I didn't see coming. I was hoping I could keep my battery charger connected at all times, but the marina told me that only approved shore power cords can be used. It is 30 A/ 125 volt outlets on the dock (picture below). I have found adapters to go from 30A /125 to 15A/110 which would power the charger. My issue is i don't know if that is technically safe. Run a shorepower cord from outlet below in to boat battery compartment, and then use an adapter to plug the charger in. The guy at the marina said the boat should have a shore power inlet. This is new to me, so I don't know where to go. I'm going to be bummed if I can only plug in my charger while I'm there at the slip with the boat.

 

[KXCam22]

It is safe since the charger is only going to draw 1 or 2 amps. It would be different if you were planning to light up a huge yacht. I have seen pics of guys who have installed shore power receptacles on the swim platform. It looked clean and could be an option if the wet slip is a long term thing. Cam.

 

[MattFX4]

It is safe since the charger is only going to draw 1 or 2 amps. It would be different if you were planning to light up a huge yacht. I have seen pics of guys who have installed shore power receptacles on the swim platform. It looked clean and could be an option if the wet slip is a long term thing. Cam.

So I could install a receptacle on boat, and then wire charger in to that? I am confused about the power though. Does that mean that 30A - 125 volts would be going to my charger?

 

[MattFX4]

In my mind I was thinking of running a 30Amp shore power cord from power box in to my boat, and then using adapter below to connect to my battery charger. It is an onboard ProMariner Prosport 20+ charger. What is the difference in having a receptacle installed on boat?

 

[rkluck]

When I had mine at Harbor town they had the same requirement. The amps noted is just the max you can pull so it is safe. The connections are different to insure the wires are capable and you don't accidently hook up a 20 amp cord to a 30 amp breaker which could be dangerous. In your case your trickle charger is not going to draw but 1 or 2 amps max and rarely anywhere near that. I had my boat there for 4 years with no problems. I simply went to Home Depot and got a plug that fit the power receptacle and attached that to my extension cord. To be completely safe and compliant you would buy the regular 30 amp cable and get the adaptor, which is kind of expensive.

 

[MattFX4]

When I had mine at Harbor town they had the same requirement. The amps noted is just the max you can pull so it is safe. The connections are different to insure the wires are capable and you don't accidently hook up a 20 amp cord to a 30 amp breaker which could be dangerous. In your case your trickle charger is not going to draw but 1 or 2 amps max and rarely anywhere near that. I had my boat there for 4 years with no problems. I simply went to Home Depot and got a plug that fit the power receptacle and attached that to my extension cord. To be completely safe and compliant you would buy the regular 30 amp cable and get the adaptor, which is kind of expensive.

Thanks! I am going in at Park Marina on Allatoona. I just talked to my brother in law who works for GA power and he cleared it up for me. Like you said the Amps noted is the max you can pull. What matters is the volts. 120 volts is essentially a 110. I am just going to go ahead and buy the 30A cable that connects to the power box, run that in to the boat, and then use an adapter to plug in to my charger. I don't think they will say anything since it will be the compliant cord running in to boat, and not a regular extension cord.

 

[Julian]

I bought one of these (or something close to it) in case I run into 30amp plugs at docks....

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-55433-...qid=1488568428&sr=1-7&keywords=30+amp+adapter

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

I would use a pigtail like others have mention and use a surge extension cord

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/53159919

 

[Matt Phillips]

On my dock the power is shared among several boats and we aren't allowed to leave things plugged in for an extended time.

As an alternative, I ran an auxiliary fused switch to the house battery. This allows me to turn off the battery switches so I know there isn't any other errant power draws while away and I also know the bulge pump it always on.

Here's the writeup on my install with pics: https://jetboaters.net/threads/solar-battery-charger-install-w-pics.3414/

 

[MattFX4]

On my dock the power is shared among several boats and we aren't allowed to leave things plugged in for an extended time.

As an alternative, I ran an auxiliary fused switch to the house battery. This allows me to turn off the battery switches so I know there isn't any other errant power draws while away and I also know the bulge pump it always on.

Here's the writeup on my install with pics: https://jetboaters.net/threads/solar-battery-charger-install-w-pics.3414/

Thanks I'll check it out. My boat is going to be on a lift so not worried about bildge. Also each slip is metered so I get a power bill each month for usage.

 

[2nazt]

Is your drain plug staying in all the time? If so bilge would be an issue for rain build up.

 

[MattFX4]

Is your drain plug staying in all the time? If so bilge would be an issue for rain build up.

Don't know. Haven't thought about that. It's a 30' covered slip so don't think much rain will hit the boat. Maybe if some is blown in if windy.

 

[rkluck]

I have a covered slip and she is on a lift. I never get water in her and just kept power for keeping the batteries charged. We take her out all the time and will usually go out at least once on month in the winter too so we never left her sitting for months which may make a difference.

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

Thought about solar panels?