Electrical question

[Capt.Frank]

Question? A friend is looking at a boat and the survey says. It needs a breaker at the 120 v where the shore power conects to the boat, because its more than 10' from panel. I have never seen a breaker near shore power conecter on another boat before. Do I need to add one on my boat also?

[bob lico]

Frank it is a good idea and if you have generator you can purchase a combined main/ gen switch installed before and inline with main panel shore power and yes the surveyor is correct.

[mike ohlstein]

I have the same sort of 'lock out' switch, which does double duty. It is a breaker for the shore power, and it prevents the generator from back-feeding the shore. A slider prevents both switches from being in the ON position at the same time.

[bob lico]

As usual mike explains it better.

[Tommy]

I understand the purpose of Mike's "lockout" switch, but what is the significance of the "10 feet" that the surveyor reported?

[Capt.Frank]

Ok, I have a master breaker for AC my pannel also (no generator). This said

3) The VAC system will need to have a breaker installed in the system. ABYC standards require
a breaker be installed if the inlet is greater than ten (10) feet from the panel. A breaker should be
installed close to the inlet to comply with the standard.

I have never seen a breaker near the inlet before. I guess this is so you can shut off the power if there is a problem, but weather exposure will be a problem.

[bob lico]

tommy my switch is the same as mike`s but photo is dark.to comply with ABYC they have a push on push off main breaker as part of the shore power receptacle ensemble .i have it on the bertram 510 .lets not get crazy on your 31 but you should have a main like mike and i illustrated with lock out if you have generator.also in line with that main breaker is surge protection ,reverse polarity,ground fault,and lightning protection.

[CaptPatrick]

Ok, I have a master breaker for AC my pannel also (no generator). This said

3) The VAC system will need to have a breaker installed in the system. ABYC standards require
a breaker be installed if the inlet is greater than ten (10) feet from the panel. A breaker should be
installed close to the inlet to comply with the standard.

I have never seen a breaker near the inlet before. I guess this is so you can shut off the power if there is a problem, but weather exposure will be a problem.

Frank,

What kind of boat is it? Most sport fishing boats have the shore power receptical at the foward end of the cockpit and the electrical pannel inside the cabin within 10 ft of the plug. If your friend's setup is such that his plug is at the transom and the electrical panel is over ten feet away, like in the Vberth, then he would need an additional breaker within specified range.

Whatever his setup is, I doubt that your rig falls into the same catagory. However, some Bahia Mars and Sportfish B31s could fall into the same catagory. I'm with you, in that I've have never heard of such a need. But then I'm not a surveyor. Pete Falon??

[Capt.Frank]

Its a 30' custom carolina boat express. OK I didn't know if it was 10' of wire or 10' straight. Mine is on the port engine wing and pannel behind cabin door(wall of head).
Peter will set us straight.

[Pete Fallon]

Capt Frank
The ABYC standards want a breaker no more than 72" from you power inlet. I have seen boats with a 30 amp breaker(30 amp inlet) next to the Marinco shore power inlet with cover. It was a clear booted covered breaker with on/off label under it. As long as your main panel is within the 72" maximum you don't need a breaker, over that 72" you will have to install one.
Our 31's usually have the 30 amp inlets just behind the port engine box, the boxes are roughly 48''long and the old constavolt battery chargers were under the aft dinette seat, just about 5 feet from inlet.. I installed a 4 breaker panel (1 for battery charger, 1 for 110 volt outlets, 1 for a spare, 1 for an air conditioner or other appliance ) Just make sure that the panel is rated for 30 amps on top main breaker and 15 amps for the rest are fine.
Another item that all of the 31 Bertram owners should be aware of is the wiring for the 110 system in our boats. The old black jacketed 3 conductor wire that feeds 110 throughout the boat SHOULD be changed because the inside jacket insulation is cracked due to age and heat break down. My outer cable looked fine but in the process of replacing outlets from non GFIC to GFIC I found that the black white and green wire insulation was completely dried out and just crumbles in your hands. So if your boat is over 30 years which most are, do your self a favor and check the 110 volt inside wire you might save your boat from a fire or giving someone a electrical shock.
Pete Fallon

[bob lico]

Down right stupid ! Not to have a main on 120volt panel. Why would a novice want to stick his hands in the back of the panel even to work on 12volts with open 120 volt buss work looking at you this is a non discussion