Second shore power line

[beanctr56]

Hey All, Question,

I need to install a second shore power line for my AC. My question is coming in from my stern I need a beaker. My current setup has a dual pole breaker in a plastic box with a cover. It's a Merlin Gerin which is not easiliy available (boat is a Beneteau). What can I use as a subsitute? I know everyone sells breakers but what about a box? From there I am planning on using 10g wire (or 12g?) and a blue sea panel with 2 15 amp breakers wired together. Any advice?

Rick

[Hartley18]

Rick, where abouts are you? Merlin Gerin are now part of the Schneider Electric monster and very readily available world-wide... alternatively, you can find replacements from ABB, Telemechanique, Eaton, etc. etc..

A second shore power line? That implies you have one already... how's it hooked up?

[mitiempo]

2 15 amp breakers wired together? Please explain.

[beanctr56]

Rick, where abouts are you? Merlin Gerin are now part of the Schneider Electric monster and very readily available world-wide... alternatively, you can find replacements from ABB, Telemechanique, Eaton, etc. etc..

A second shore power line? That implies you have one already... how's it hooked up?


I'm in the USA. I have found the breakers but not the weatherproof box that I now have on my first set up.

2 15 amp breakers wired together? Please explain.

I'm not exactly sure yet, I've seen it on other boats.

I'm planning on using the Blue Sea 8043 panel and it will only have the 16,700btu ac on it.

Rick

[beanctr56]

I'm looking for one of these green boxes with breakers or something similar that would work.

Rick

[hellosailor]

Rick, if you are thinking 2x15A breakers=30 amps, it doesn't work that way. If you are planning to hook up a second 30-amp shorepower line (30 being standard) then you need two 30A breakers, one in each side of the line, tied together. Not just two, but tied together so both trip together.

If you are planning to use the second line JUST for one item (AC?) and that draws only around 12A, then a pair of 15A breakers woudl be suitable, but normally you size the breakers to protect the line (30A line) not the load. So it all depends on exactly what you are planning to do.

These days it is also normal to install a GFI as close to the shore power inlet as possible, while installing the breakers at the main panel. GFI's are dirt cheap and pretty good at saving lives.

[Hartley18]

HS, is quite right so I won't repeat what he says.

Originally Posted by beanctr56

[IMG]I'm looking for one of these green boxes with breakers or something similar that would work.

Personally, I wouldn't. A lazarette is no place (long term) for electrical switchgear.

I'd suggest instead that you run cables directly from the outlet to your AC panel and have the GFI/main circuit breaker there. Alternatively, you may be able to get a shore power receptacle with the GFI built in...

[dhays]

Originally Posted by Hartley18

Personally, I wouldn't. A lazarette is no place (long term) for electrical switchgear.

I'd suggest instead that you run cables directly from the outlet to your AC panel and have the GFI/main circuit breaker there. Alternatively, you may be able to get a shore power receptacle with the GFI built in...

I believe that the circuit breaker is required to be within a certain distance from the shore power plug, hence the lazarette locations on most boats.

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by dhays

I believe that the circuit breaker is required to be within a certain distance from the shore power plug, hence the lazarette locations on most boats.

Correct on the first part; not correct on the last.

The distance requirement is 10 feet, i.e., the breakers must be located within 10 feet of the shore power inlet receptacle. Many boats have breakers located in the cabin, not the lazarette.

Use AWG10/3 boat cable for 30A circuits. AWG6/3 for 50A circuits.

DO NOT use "15A breakers in parallel". For 30A circuits use 30A breakers on both the hot (black) line and the neutral (white) line. The green or grounding line should have NO breakers or fuses.

Also, on a boat with multiple shorecords, the neutrals (white wires) SHOULD NOT BE CONNECTED TOGETHER ON THE BOAT.

Bill

[mitiempo]

10' is the max distance ABYC wants before a breaker - 10' of wire not 10' straight line. A lot of boats have the shorepower inlet either in the cockpit or adjacent to it to lessen the distance.

A dry location somewhere would be my choice.