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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 16:08:35
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I am amazed to see how many boaters leave their power cords dip in the water. Power, sail, small, medium, big, captain operated yachts... no pattern, around here about 30 to 40% have their cords dip in the water.
it's big no no in my book, but maybe i am a little too picky?
How do you feel about it: |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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walterv
Albania
10355 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 16:33:13
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| Is there any truth (please provide back up) that having the cords in the water will cause a problem. Although I tink it is dumb to have the cords in the water, and mine are never in the water (I have that $150.00 piece of nothing that goes in the fishpole holder)Iam curious if this is a wives tale or is it true? |
Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don’t look at it and wish you had painted something different.
From My Daughter |
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 16:47:38
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Pascal,
Although it looks silly at least in my case it serves a purpose.
For some reason ants do not go from the dock to the boat through
the lines. They only use the extension cord!
Having a little sag touching the water solved the problem.
Regarding voltage or current looses there is none unless there
is a break in the cover and cabling at the same time.
$150 for the Shore Power Cord Support? <cough> Is it Gold plated? <g>
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Edited by - Cpt. Harold on Mar 02 2010 16:48:32 |
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psalzer
USA
6208 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 17:10:08
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| If the cord is in good shape it just looks bad .. probably no damage being done! |
Pete |
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stmbtwle
8769 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 17:21:42
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quote:
Originally posted by psalzer
If the cord is in good shape it just looks bad .. probably no damage being done!
I agree but who knows just how good that cord is??
In any case it's not good seamanship. But then most boaters don't know the word anyway.
I got rid of the cord altogether... my corrosion issues went down 90% at least. |
Willie... She's a tired old gal but she's paid for! (several times over) |
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Billylll
USA
8070 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 17:38:19
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It's a bad idea it will cause premature breakdown of the diecltric (insulation). Also depending on your docking situation I can imagine the cord getting pinched. Current flows around wires (magnetic fields) so I would think there could be a problem with galvanic interaction. The same fields are used to measure current by a clamp on amp meter. I believe cords in the water carrying AC can induce potentially concentric concentric currents.
Bill |
WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on Mar 02 2010 19:17:32 |
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Ocean Spray
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:07:27
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| I have to agree, I never let my cord touch the water, its not only unsafe, but could electrocute someone if there was a break in the cable. It has happened and there are documented cases of children dying from electric shock at a marina swimming in the water. If I walk by a boat that has an electric cord in the water I will always pull it out and adjust them to stay out of the water. Why take the chance? I also had a derilict boat next to mine in another marina a few years ago that had the cable in the water and it was eating up my zincs on the boat until we un plugged the thing! |
Ocean Spray II
Captain Pat |
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rommer
11802 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:17:24
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Who gave you the right to unplug someone else's boat Pat? Complain to marina management but keep you hands off what doesn't belong to you.
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WLC - We love Champlin's! |
Edited by - rommer on Mar 02 2010 19:58:58 |
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Billylll
USA
8070 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:21:24
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Rommer I am like the "defacto" governor of our marina's starboard dock there are 2 main docks my boat is on the end parallel the other boats are on the other side in fiungers. I always keep an eye on this type of potential problem and adjust cords then notify the manager. I will also go talk to the people who own the boat and let them know. I have never had a problem following an agreement between myself and marina management. I would hope others would do the same for me. At our marina we all know each other and my wife and I spend the most time on our side there is another couple on the other dock like us.
Bill |
WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on Mar 02 2010 19:40:03 |
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:24:31
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quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle
quote:
Originally posted by psalzer
If the cord is in good shape it just looks bad .. probably no damage being done!
I agree but who knows just how good that cord is??
In any case it's not good seamanship. But then most boaters don't know the word anyway.
I got rid of the cord altogether... my corrosion issues went down 90% at least.
And who might you be Sir, to tell me I lack good seamanship?
If you had corrosion issues then you could have fixed your electrical system before just giving up on it. Talk about seamanship!!
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JLC
USA
809 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:29:57
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Last summer the boat next to mine was having electrical problems. He kept blowing the "A" circuit on the dock. My boat was plugged into the "B" circuit and I guess the "B" circuit (named by the marina) had a bigger breaker on it ...or less boats were plugged in.
Anyways this di-ck decided to unplug my boat, plug into my box, then plugs my boat into his box that is tripped.
I come down, and my house battery's are just about dead as the refrig freezer was running off of 12v only for a week.
My HOTDOGS were warm and my ice was melted. My mayo, butter, cheese, milk, cream for coffee and all the other stuff in the refrig had to be tossed. I was so burnt about this... I still can't believe this guy did this.
I'm still pissed to this day about it. |
Holes that I currently throw money into; ..and have problems with :)
34' Sea Ray Sundancer SOLD!!! Bub Bye.... Bub Bye now
32' Galaxy Sloop ~For Sale~
21' Chris Craft Bow Rider
15' 1970 Sidewinder
13' Mad River Canoe
12' 1966 Gruman 9.9hp
11'4 Zodiac FR340 9.9
9'2 Zodiac 2hp Honda
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:31:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Billylll
It's a bad idea it will cause premature breakdown of the diecltric (insulation). Also depending on your docking situation I can imagine the cord getting pinched. Current flows around wires (magnetic fields) so I would think there could be a problem with galvanic interaction. The same fields are used to measure current by a clamp on amp meter. I believe cords in the water carrying AC can induce potentially concentric concentric currents.
Bill
Your point about the insulation is completely valid. I keep it clean of barnacles and inspect it every time i visit the boat. Also I make sure it is only a few inches touching the water.
Since both current paths go over same cable the magnetic fields should cancel each other.
Regards,
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:35:48
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quote:
Originally posted by JLC
Last summer the boat next to mine was having electrical problems. He kept blowing the "A" circuit on the dock. My boat was plugged into the "B" circuit and I guess the "B" circuit (named by the marina) had a bigger breaker on it ...or less boats were plugged in.
Anyways this di-ck decided to unplug my boat, plug into my box, then plugs my boat into his box that is tripped.
I come down, and my house battery's are just about dead as the refrig freezer was running off of 12v only for a week.
My HOTDOGS were warm and my ice was melted. My mayo, butter, cheese, milk, cream for coffee and all the other stuff in the refrig had to be tossed. I was so burnt about this... I still can't believe this guy did this.
I'm still pissed to this day about it.
That neighbor of yours is liable for damages.
Didn't you know your fridge could grow bacteria form the decomposition forcing you to replace it? The smell is impossible to wipe out! It happened to me.
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Edited by - Cpt. Harold on Mar 02 2010 19:36:42 |
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Billylll
USA
8070 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:36:44
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Your assuming the cables are twisted they are not in the shore cables I have examined. So the 180 degree out of phase cancellation may not apply. The opposite boats ends being different lengths and paths also have an affct of concentric AC currents. I'm not saying either of us is wrong it is something to be taken seriously though.
Bill |
WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:45:05
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What applies to your concern about magnetic fields only applies to the portion
of cable being submerged. Being the hot and neutral the same length and almost
exact current on each wire the magnetic field twisted or not is in effect canceled.
I like your point of view, though. It is serious. Maybe Pascal is referring to
several feet of cable underwater which is obviously a bad idea and indicates disdain?
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PeteMrrs
USA
2435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 19:55:27
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| I was always taught that letting your power chord lay in the water, and not properly tending to your docklines was a sign of an inexperienced boater, and therefore I never let it happen. |
"I golf in the mid 80's, . . . . Anything higher than that and I'm in the pool." |
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rommer
11802 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 20:02:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Billylll
Rommer I am like the "defacto" governor of our marina's starboard dock there are 2 main docks my boat is on the end parallel the other boats are on the other side in fiungers. I always keep an eye on this type of potential problem and adjust cords then notify the manager. I will also go talk to the people who own the boat and let them know. I have never had a problem following an agreement between myself and marina management. I would hope others would do the same for me. At our marina we all know each other and my wife and I spend the most time on our side there is another couple on the other dock like us.
Bill
Adjusting a cord that has fallen in the water is VERY different than unplugging it. Like you I will adjust a cord but unless a boat is on fire I will NEVER unplug someone else's powercord.
I've always felt this way but since having it done to me with dogs on board during the summer by a miscreant transient too lazy to have the correct adapter it has become a pet peeve of mine.
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WLC - We love Champlin's! |
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 20:11:48
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Ok I give up.
Since I am a boating teacher I should know better than try to explain or
argue how it could be done safely and/or correctly. I still insist if properly and
carefully done it can be, but yes, to the technically untrained it just looks
sloppy. I must set the example and keep my ideas for myself.
I'm going to the marina right now to "fix" the cable. It is all of 300 meters from here.
Regards,
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Billylll
USA
8070 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 20:16:30
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Rommer, I agree I would call Marina management unless a boat was on fire before I would unplug it.
Bill |
WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
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psalzer
USA
6208 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 20:35:08
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| I have never heard anyone suggest that leaving the power cord in the water is a good idea!! I always figured it was like leaving lines uncoiled, or fenders hanging while underway, just not "shipshape". I guess if you want to leave them in the water that's up to you. As far as unplugging another boaters power NEVER .. and I don't expect anyone to unplug mine!! |
Pete |
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FlyWright
USA
1091 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 21:15:32
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quote:
Originally posted by rommer
Who gave you the right to unplug someone else's boat Pat? Complain to marina management but keep you hands off what doesn't belong to you.
Pat never said he unplugged anyone's boat.
"If I walk by a boat that has an electric cord in the water I will always pull it out and adjust them to stay out of the water. "
I believe he's saying he'd pull the cord out of the water and adjust it so it stays out of the water. No mention of unplugging the cord. Correct me if I'm wrong, Pat. |
Al
1977 34 Californian LRC Trawler
2006 Achilles LEX-96 w/ Honda 2HP O/B
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day." Anonymous
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psalzer
USA
6208 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 21:25:30
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"No mention of unplugging the cord. Correct me if I'm wrong, Pat."
Hmmmm!!
"I also had a derilict boat next to mine in another marina a few years ago that had the cable in the water and it was eating up my zincs on the boat until we un plugged the thing!
Ocean Spray II
Captain Pat
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Pete |
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rommer
11802 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 21:59:53
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Al, you've been corrected!
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WLC - We love Champlin's! |
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captddis
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 22:09:38
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| I assume most of you have bilge float switches installed? How often do you inspect the wiring on the FL switch? The wiring usually sits in bilge water 24/7, broken insulation on the switch wiring is the biggest cause of stray current corrosion. DC stray current is much more destructive than AC. |
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boatpoker
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 22:15:46
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Cords in the water are just plain dumb. No matter how good you think the cord is it may have microscopic holes. Stray current not only eats props, shafts etc. it only takes millivolts to kill.
I even have a couple of idiots on my dock who routinely go out for an afternoon sale and leave their cords plugged in at the dock. They don't seem to understand that electricity can jump. |
Dirt People Scare Me |
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boatpoker
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 22:18:18
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| I can't believe I spelled it "sale" |
Dirt People Scare Me |
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giolic
USA
2748 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 23:22:32
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Ok,, So a bunch of BS again...
Maybe we should send this one into mythbusters for a real answer. |
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Capt. Bill1
USA
5625 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 06:36:42
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I voted "Looks bad but no big deal".
While it shouldn't be done on a regular basis (other than perhaps in Harold's case) if the cord is in good shape it's not something I'm going to get all worked up about if I see it. Now that doesn't mean I might not try to tiddy it up if I see some ones cord in the water. Or call the dock master if the cord looks in bad shape.
I'm sure there are lots of theoretical reasons why it's a bad idea. But in real life I can't say I've ever seen or heard of it causing a problem. Again, I'm talking about a cord in good condition.
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The two most common elements on Earth are oxygen and stupidity.
Creationism is to science what storks are to obstetrics.
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Edited by - Capt. Bill1 on Mar 04 2010 07:16:38 |
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L. Keith
USA
1677 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 07:12:43
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| If you are concerned with stray current, go look for the main electrical feed line into your marina. Chances are the line is underground a few feet in soil that has a very high water table. Also be mindful of where the ground rod is located for the electrical system. A few years ago the bottom fell out of a 42' USCG patrol boat (all welded aluminum). Turns out the station's antenna ground was a few feet inland from the where the boat was moored. Stray current from the antenna ground traveled through the wet soil and it ate up the bottom in a matter of weeks. |
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vriceflyer
407 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 07:20:50
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| It is poor seamanship to leave the cord in the water, the water hose in the water and not to coil excess dock line on the dock. We should always strive to look professional, have a clean boat and set a good example for our passengers, dock mates and new boaters. Just my 2c. |
2001 340 Searay Sundancer |
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vided
USA
176 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 08:11:10
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| i like using my powercords to secure the boat to the dock, 5 figure 8s around the cleat works great, and i use one less rope.......:) |
silverton, 36c w/ips |
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The Other Gary
Canada
6139 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 10:17:36
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I am Dockmaster of our 56 slip Dockominium and have unplugged two boats in the last 6 years. One was a sailboat day visitor that was using an extension cord with no ground. It was removed and tagged as unsafe. Another time a boater got a shock off the dock
I had to shut the whole section off and called our electrician. Then We noticed that a boater was away from his slip and had left his power cord on the aluminum frame with a wet rag on the end. It was shorting to the dock frame. I removed it, tried the power for that section and all was OK. The electrician was already enroute so we had him check the system and that boater was charged for the $200 weekend service call. He caused the problem and though he protested it was pay or leave his seasonal slip with no refund.
In season I walk the dock daily and look for poorly tied lines and electrical potential problems.
We also had a lightning strike that blew every breaker in one section. I had to call every boat affected and have them check their boat systems before they could turn the power back on. One guy who said he would be right down did not show for two weeks and was very pissed off that we had not turned him back on but no dice, he was contacted and his spoiled food was his problem. I can only enter a boat if there is an obvious indication that it is taking on water and in danger of sinking. Everything else is a phone call only.
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Gary Peck 1997 Bayliner 3988 MY, twin 330 Cummins
It is my firm and studied intention to live forever,,,,so far I'm on track |
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boatbum
USA
11028 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 10:33:25
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I won't do it because I don't like the risk of the cord failing in a manner that is not obvious. A little water getting in over time is all it takes to make a mess of things. Granted these cords are double insulated. However I am not sure about the ground being double insulated.
If I'm worried about bugs I spray all the lines near the dock as well as the water line and power cord. Up North where spiders invaded the power towers since flying insects were always around, I sprayed the tower regularly anyway. |
Dan |
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boatpoker
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:02:54
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quote:
Originally posted by giolic
Ok,, So a bunch of BS again...
Maybe we should send this one into mythbusters for a real answer.
While the University of Alaska may not be on par with Mythbusters the article below is still worth a look.
BOATKEEPER
AC Electrical Safety
From Pacific Fishing, June 2001 By Terry Johnson, University of Alaska Sea Grant, Marine Advisory Program 4014 Lake Street, Suite 201B, Homer, AK 99603, (907) 235-5643, email: rftljrb2rb2@gr5tgr5tuaf.edu
We all live safely with alternating cur¬rent (AC) electricity in the home. But with the same voltage, the marine AC system is potentially more dangerous because the boat and the people who work on it are sur¬rounded by water. A person who becomes part of the pathway between a hot wire and the sea can experience severe shock.
Forget the blinding flash and the smoking flesh. It doesn’t take a lot of juice to kill a person. Remember, what makes the heart tick is a faint electrical impulse generated within the muscle itself. It takes only a very small amount of current through the chest to disrupt the heart rhythm, causing fatal flut¬tering of the heart muscle called fibrilla¬tion.
A critical factor is where the current passes through the body. Touching hot and neutral leads with one hand can give you a jolt and maybe even a burn, but won’t kill you. But grabbing a hot lead with one hand and a neutral with the other, or the lead with one hand while standing in water, can send the current through the chest. One effect that electrical current has on the body is to make muscles contract, so a person getting a shock may be unable to release the item that’s carrying the current.
The body isn’t a perfect conductor of electricity, but passing through the chest it takes only 0.05 amp to kill. That’s barely enough to light a small bulb, and an amount which easily can pass through a human body that becomes a conduit between a hot AC wire and ground.
No one intentionally grabs a hot wire, but things happen. Two-prong plugs get put into sockets backwards (a condition known as reverse polarity). Circuitry chafes or cracks, exposing bare wire. Wiring inside a power tool breaks and contacts the metal case. Pick up with one hand an electric drill that has a loose wire inside, while bracing against the engine block with the other hand, and you could be the next industrial fatality.
Grounded and Grounding
AC current must alternate between two points making a circuit. Coming from the power source is the “hot” wire, which nor¬mally has black insulation, and returning is the neutral or “grounded” conductor, which is white. “Neutral” carries the same current as the hot wire. As long as the current re¬mains in this closed circuit there is no dan¬ger, but if it should escape (a “fault” or “short circuit”), it will attempt to go directly to ground.
Most modern AC circuits have a green third wire, which is a “grounding” wire. It is connected to the third prong of the com¬mon three-prong plugs; it parallels the white wire and it connects to neutral at the power source. It’s supposed to ground the circuit when a short occurs. In a household sys¬tem the third wire works well as long as three-prong plugs are used and the ground¬ing wire is intact. (Note: it won’t protect you if you touch the hot and neutral wires at the same time.)
Household electrical systems are grounded through a metal rod driven into the earth under or next to the building. Be¬tween that rod and the people in the house are many layers of wood, concrete and other electrically insulating materials.
In a boatyard, where workers may be standing or crawling on wet ground, there is a potential for electrocution. When a boat is floating, the water is the ground and any metal that has an electrical path to it, in¬cluding the hull of a metal boat or the en¬gine of a glass or wood boat via the shaft, becomes a path to the ground. Touching any of these items and a hot wire at the same time can send current through the body.
Onboard Circuits
When the boat is afloat, inverters and gensets are grounded to the water via the engine and shaft, which act like the metal rod driven into the ground under your house. The risk aboard a boat comes from
a short that bypasses the grounding system and finds an alternative route to the sea. Standing in bilge water or touching a metal object like rudder stock or engine block, while contacting a hot wire, could make you the conductor if there is no functional grounding wire.
Shore power presents a different set of potential problems. The shore power cir¬cuit is grounded at the dock junction box through the shore power cord and recep¬tacle. Faulty installation, reversed polarity, defective or damaged cord or boat recep¬tacle can create a situation that could be hazardous to persons or contribute to stray current corrosion damage to the boat.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
A GFCI is an inexpensive ($20 each), switch-like device that continuously moni¬tors current in the hot and neutral conduc¬tors. When it detects an imbalance between the two, as would occur if there were a short to ground, it instantly trips the circuit. A single GFCI can protect persons through¬out the boat if it is located on the main AC feed, but because boats usually have vari¬ous small current leaks, the unit may trip frequently with no indication of the source of the fault. It may be more practical to in¬stall one GFCI on each of the circuits to wet locations, such as head, galley, engine room, and weather deck.
GFCIs are extremely sensitive and can be tripped by “steam” or dense moisture in the air such as from cooking or showering, so they should be mounted in dry locations. On gas-powered boats, GFCIs must be ig¬nition protected, or located in areas where fumes cannot collect. GFCIs should be checked at least monthly.
Shore Power
Stick to approved marine shore power cords with female twist-lock fittings that match male sealed receptacles on the boat, and male fittings for the female receptacles
on the dock. Several plug patterns are in use for specific purposes, and it is essential that the correct plug be used in the recep¬tacle. The specially made cords are sealed from moisture and rated for the correct volt¬age and amperage. It’s better to use factory-made adapters, if plugs don’t fit receptacles, than to try to cobble something together that’s not made for the purpose. Extension cords modified to fit the receptacles can cause shock or fire. The shore power sys¬tem is grounded at the dock junction box, but the breaker protects only the dock wir¬ing, not the circuits inside the boat.
Power cords don’t last forever and should be inspected periodically. Look for chafes and cracks. If plugs are corroded they may arc, and if they are burned, they have over¬heated in the past and could cause shock or fire, so they should be replaced. If a shore power cord in use feels more than slightly warm, there is resistance somewhere and the cord should be repaired or replaced.
Boat harbors have a lot of problems due to owners using incorrect cords, incorrect plugs, plugs that are burned or corroded, plugs that are forced in or not inserted cor¬rectly and locked, and with pedestal boxes that have been altered by boat owners. All of these situations can be dangerous. Any time you plug in to an unfamiliar dock box, check it first with a pocket polarity tester and with a voltmeter, then ascertain that the plug fits snugly and securely into the re¬ceptacle.
Marinas and Boat Harbors
Working inside a boat up on blocks is es¬sentially the same as one in the water if it is grounded through its three-wire power cord. If the vessel is not grounded and a fault develops in the hot lead, work¬ers outside the boat on wet ground or con¬tacting metal ladders or stands are in danger. Extension cords, especially the household two-prong type, increase the risk; wearing rubber boots and rubber gloves can reduce the risk somewhat.
Using an AC on the exterior of a float¬ing boat is courting disaster. If a power drill or sander gets splashed or falls overboard, seawater will conduct current from the hot wire to the case, making the tool hot. If the grounding wire is not effective, any path to the sea via wet decks or a metal conductor makes the worker part of the circuit.
Divers and swimmers in the water are susceptible to electrical shock, especially if there is a direct short such as would oc¬cur if a live power cord drops into the water.
Even a relatively low-voltage fault can es¬tablish an electrical field around the boat, which could cause a current flow through a swimmer’s body causing fibrillation. Cur¬rent leakage into the water can also para¬lyze muscles and cause drowning with no visible evidence of electrocution.
Minimizing the Risk of Shock
Minimize electrocution risk from an onboard AC electrical system by ensur¬ing that the vessel is properly wired by a professional marine electrician, and inspect¬ing it periodically for damage or deteriora¬tion. If your electrician isn’t familiar with ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) standards, find one who is.
Use only copper multi-strand wire (pref¬erably tinned “boat cable”), of correct size for the load, with marine color coding.
Ensure that all connections are inside a panel box so that it’s impossible to touch them accidentally. Better yet, make them accessible only with the use of tools. There should be no bare wires anywhere on the boat. All connectors must be properly sized “captive” (ring-type) terminals match the size of the screws, with insulated shanks, and should be made of corrosion resistant materials. Tension relief and drip loops should be incorporated.
All AC outlets on board must be three-prong type. Appliances should plug directly into three-prong wall sockets, not extension cords, and multiple socket plugs shouldn’t be used on board. Maintain correct polar¬ity by using only approved plugs and if any¬thing in the system has been modified or repaired, check it with a polarity tester.
When making up plugs, ensure that the black wire goes to the brass or black screw, the white wire to the silver screw, and the green wire to the green screw.
Service outlets on the exterior of the boat are a potential problem and to be avoided.
Never interconnect the AC and DC sys¬tems. The green wire must connect to the boat’s bonding system or metal underwa¬ter hardware, but the AC white wire must not. Don’t confuse the black insulation on an AC power lead with the negative on a DC system. When you switch between a generator, inverter or shore power, the grounding connection must switch too.
(If the boat is on shore power the green wire connects to the underwater metal hard¬ware of other boats on the same shore power system. This creates a galvanic cell that promotes stray current and galvanic corro¬sion. A galvanic isolator on the green wire
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Dirt People Scare Me |
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The Other Gary
Canada
6139 Posts |
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jamikito
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:22:54
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In every marina there is a busy body looking around to criticize others. Unplugging someones boat can get expensive if there is perishable food on board.
PascalG, why don't you go repair the problems on your own boat, instead of wasting your time starting bs threads like this one. Man, get a life. |
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boatpoker
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:31:01
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quote:
Originally posted by jamikito
In every marina there is a busy body looking around to criticize others. Unplugging someones boat can get expensive if there is perishable food on board.
PascalG, why don't you go repair the problems on your own boat, instead of wasting your time starting bs threads like this one. Man, get a life.
I don't have a lot of work during the winter so I poke around 14 or 15 boating forums and find that there are only two with regular mud slinging matches. It has been my experience that once it starts, it just deteriorates so I'm out of here. Maybe I'll check back in a couple of months and see if it's stopped. |
Dirt People Scare Me |
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Freddy
USA
3765 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:56:29
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Jamikito, a PM to Pascal would have allowed you to express you opinion without involving others,,,
in the interim, you might want to clean up your profile, to wit:
User Name: jamikito
Location and Homeport:
Tampa, Florida
USA
Boat Length: 66
Boat Year: Yes
Gender: Male
Boat Make: Technical
Exp. Date: 1/1/1900
Total Posts: 2
Regards,
Fred
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"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be
fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. "
" Ronald Reagan" |
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AustinPaul
USA
1325 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 12:53:57
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quote:
Originally posted by jamikito
In every marina there is a busy body looking around to criticize others. Unplugging someones boat can get expensive if there is perishable food on board.
PascalG, why don't you go repair the problems on your own boat, instead of wasting your time starting bs threads like this one. Man, get a life.
A very poor start to what could end up being a very short membership here. |
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"Myn's Mariano"
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Gregory S
USA
7178 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 13:21:26
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| Membership?????? You meant guest, didn't you? |
Edited by - Gregory S on Mar 03 2010 13:22:12 |
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 13:46:41
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quote:
Originally posted by jamikito
In every marina there is a busy body looking around to criticize others. Unplugging someones boat can get expensive if there is perishable food on board.
PascalG, why don't you go repair the problems on your own boat, instead of wasting your time starting bs threads like this one. Man, get a life.
Arguing and sometimes flaming (by me) notwithstanding, I consider this quoted post rather rude.
Apologies are in order.
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Cpt. Harold
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 13:52:52
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quote:
Originally posted by boatpoker
While the University of Alaska may not be on par with Mythbusters the article below is still worth a look.
(Deleted article for space)
LOL !!!
Nice and very informative!
Regards,
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Edited by - Cpt. Harold on Mar 03 2010 13:53:23 |
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captddis
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 14:49:02
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| Do you guys unplug ice eaters as well? An electric motor hanging by ropes under water sounds dangerous. Not to mention a cord in the water. |
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AustinPaul
USA
1325 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 15:10:33
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quote:
Originally posted by captddis
Do you guys unplug ice eaters as well? An electric motor hanging by ropes under water sounds dangerous. Not to mention a cord in the water.
I would not expect a whole lot of people swimming out there with the ice eaters. :-) Of course, those are also designed to be submerged.
Any, for what it's worth, I answered, 'no big deal', but don't do it. I think it's sloppy looking and unnecessary to have power cords hanging in the water accumulating algae and whatnot. The question is, why do it if you don't have to? |
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"Myn's Mariano"
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Edited by - AustinPaul on Mar 03 2010 16:20:23 |
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psalzer
USA
6208 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 16:10:10
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quote:
Originally posted by jamikito
In every marina there is a busy body looking around to criticize others. Unplugging someones boat can get expensive if there is perishable food on board.
PascalG, why don't you go repair the problems on your own boat, instead of wasting your time starting bs threads like this one. Man, get a life.
Jamikito
Pascal is anything BUT a busybody!! He has probably forgot more than many of us will ever know...the thread was not a waste of time .. you however ???????? Pascal did not recommend unplugging anything!! Perhaps a little reading comprehension is in order!! |
Pete |
Edited by - psalzer on Mar 03 2010 16:13:29 |
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captddis
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 16:41:58
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quote:
Originally posted by AustinPaul
quote:
Originally posted by captddis
Do you guys unplug ice eaters as well? An electric motor hanging by ropes under water sounds dangerous. Not to mention a cord in the water.
I would not expect a whole lot of people swimming out there with the ice eaters. :-) Of course, those are also designed to be submerged.
Any, for what it's worth, I answered, 'no big deal', but don't do it. I think it's sloppy looking and unnecessary to have power cords hanging in the water accumulating algae and whatnot. The question is, why do it if you don't have to?
I agree with you leaving cords in the water is sloppy. Shore cords are meant for wet locations too. I know it has been a long winter,but this thread is much ado about nothing. |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 16:53:19
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| easy to spot the angry old men, isn't it? |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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FlyWright
USA
1091 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 17:20:11
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quote:
Originally posted by psalzer
"No mention of unplugging the cord. Correct me if I'm wrong, Pat."
Hmmmm!!
"I also had a derilict boat next to mine in another marina a few years ago that had the cable in the water and it was eating up my zincs on the boat until we un plugged the thing!
Ocean Spray II
Captain Pat
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How did I miss that? Must be getting older than I thought. Gotta get new specs... My bad.
Thanks for the correction. |
Al
1977 34 Californian LRC Trawler
2006 Achilles LEX-96 w/ Honda 2HP O/B
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day." Anonymous
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captddis
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 17:51:23
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Pascal,
How about a poll asking if you leave the toilet seat up or down while underway. |
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walterv
Albania
10355 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 18:06:04
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| Up, why not? |
Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don’t look at it and wish you had painted something different.
From My Daughter |
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Gregory S
USA
7178 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 18:32:11
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| I'm not angry , so I mustn't be old. Up also. |
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Topic |
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Shorepower cords dipping in water