47
Systems
TIPS-MARINA SHORE POWER STATIONS
As you beome a more experienced boater you may en-
gage in longer cruises with over night stays. It is most
frustrating after a day of hard boating to pull into a ma-
rina and fi nd your shore power cord does not adapt to the
marina shore power station. This may be especially true
stopping at older marinas built before the 1978 National
Electric Code was enacted for these faciliites. Therefore,
it is recommended that you purchase several shore power
adapter cords to meet various marina plug footprints.
Carry a couple extra 125 volt/15 amp adapters with a fe-
male twist 3 prong plug to a straight blade male plug with
a locking screw..
Also, purchase two reverse “Y” adapter cords, one being
a 50 amp, 125/250 volt straight blade crowfoot type with
a grounding clip and the other being the 50 amp 125/250
volt with a locking ring.
A point to remember is that sometimes a chartplotter will
provide local cruising information including marinas and
facilities they offer but normally they do not provide the
power voltage available at dockside.
TYPICAL MARINA
SHORE POWER
STATION
TYPICAL SHORE
POWER STRAIGHT
ADAPTER CORD
TYPICAL SHORE
POWER “Y”
ADAPTER CORD
Remember that your boat’s main ship’s panel features a
reverse polarity indicator. Be sure to read that section in
this owner’s manual chapter since plugging into a marina
distribution system is where you can fi nd some strange
wiring especially at older facilities.
Your boat shore power cord may utilize a LED light
system located at the male plug end. When you plug the
cord into the dock receptacle the LED light should show
green indicatiing the current is “on”. If the LED light
shows red there is incorrect wiring at the power site.
Contact marina personnel immediately.
Plug the shore power cord into the marina dock power
box last. This reduces the possibility of a shock hazard. Be
aware there may be several types of inlet plugs located at a
marina dock power center and you must be able to fi gure
out which ones are adaptable to your vessel.
When running the shore power cord use stand-offs such
as clips or velcro straps to hold the cord from touching
the water. These clips or straps can be fastened to a rail
or other components. In tidal zones provide for low and
high tide swings. Always review the power cord layout to
provide a safety zone from the water.
Also, marina dock power centers normally have breakers
that must be activated after installing the dockside cord.
Check with the marina dockmaster for more information
on their shore power operation and requirements.
Before attempting to disconnect the shore power cord turn
off all equipment and main AC breakers on the ship’s main
control panel to prevent any component damage.
When disconnecting the shore power cord first turn
the breaker to the “off ” position at the marina dock
power center. Then remove the dockside cord from the
marina outlet. Always remove the cord from the boat’s
power inlet last. Roll the cord neatly and store it in a dry
environment.
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