Got a violation alert from my marina!

[tabbibus]

Welp, got an email from my marina saying that I was in violation of safety code. Turns out using a heavy duty (but not marine) extension cord is a no-no. I have a marine grade pigtail that attaches to my 30amp power source. That then goes to the extension cord and to my NOCO. Today I learned.

 

[Julian]

Huh...my marina has standard three prong outlets.....wonder if code in NC is different, or they are grandfathered in on old dock posts?

 

[Beachbummer]

First ever I hear of a non-marine extension... Is this "marine" copper in the cable painted black or Yellow to increase its retail value? What's the deal?

 

[treeskier]

No worries I'm sure the marina can sell you a $100 extension cord. Amazon has a 30 amp marine cord for $46 - 25 ft.

 

[tabbibus]

@Julian our power boxes have these type of outlet. 30amp twisty looking prongs. This is the adapter I had on it, and a regular cord heading out after this to the boat.

Amazon.com : Conntek Marine Shore Pigtail Adapter Cord 30 Amp Shore Male Plug to 15 Amp Female Connector : Boating Shore Power Cords : Sports & Outdoors


@treeskier surprisingly no, the don't have them for sale. They sent me a link to some options on amazon, which I thought was very nice of them.

 

[Julian]

@Julian our power boxes have these type of outlet. 30amp twisty looking prongs. This is the adapter I had on it, and a regular cord heading out after this to the boat.

Amazon.com : Conntek Marine Shore Pigtail Adapter Cord 30 Amp Shore Male Plug to 15 Amp Female Connector : Boating Shore Power Cords : Sports & Outdoors


@treeskier surprisingly no, the don't have them for sale. They sent me a link to some options on amazon, which I thought was very nice of them.

Yeah....that is what I use when I go to Bimini as they have the typical 30 amp twist in plugs. Seriously doubt anyone in Bimini gives a crap that I plug an adapter in! Their enforcement of anything is pretty sketchy! LOL

 

[Dean P]

I'm sure the marina got busted at some point in time. As they say sh!t rolls downhill.

 

[tabbibus]

I'm sure the marina got busted at some point in time. As they say sh!t rolls downhill.

Oh that is exactly what happened. They were inspected by the local authorities. At least they were nice about it and didn't fine me or pull the plug on my poor NOCO.

 

[Bluewater272]

You can buy a fancy shmancy yellow cord that matches the pigtail, it's what I use.

 

[Ancient canoe]

Wait until you move to a neighborhood with an HOA.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Wait until you move to a neighborhood with an HOA.

I refuse to live in a HOA. I would be "THAT GUY" . All the more reason why I live in the middle of the woods...LOL

 

[MattFX4]

@tabbibus yep, Park Marina on Allatoona had same restrictions. I bought the yellow 30a shore power cord and adapter that would allow my charger to plug in to the 30a cord. Worked well and never had an issue.

 

[tabbibus]

@tabbibus yep, Park Marina on Allatoona had same restrictions. I bought the yellow 30a shore power cord and adapter that would allow my charger to plug in to the 30a cord. Worked well and never had an issue.

that's the route I'm taking! Better safe than sorry honestly.

 

[Shark Bait]

I refuse to live in a HOA. I would be "THAT GUY" . All the more reason why I live in the middle of the woods...LOL

You and me both!

 

[Papa]

I'm that guy now. However the new twist-lock cords are for safety for you and your family and others at the dock. It's a good thing.
Papa

 

[Beachbummer]

Can you explain the reasoning behind the "for safety" aspect? Is it rated differently? It won't come undone when pulled, but not sure that's the best thing either... I'm sure there is a reason, but I'm not sure what it is.

 

[Ratket]

Don’t worry, Arc Fault breakers are next....

 

[mark_m]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but...

We’re almost ready to splash our boat in her dock this season with shore power. My question is about how shore power and my charger should work best, specifically, does using a dongle compromise any of the safety features? Should I invest in running a straight up ac mini panel in the boat that includes galvanic isolation and reverse polarity protection?

My dock neighbor has a whole ac system setup and I think it’s way overkill to power my onboard three bank charger.

I want to do this right but at the same time I don’t want to overbuild for a single circuit... my battery charger.

 

[Dean P]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but...

We’re almost ready to splash our boat in her dock this season with shore power. My question is about how shore power and my charger should work best, specifically, does using a dongle compromise any of the safety features? Should I invest in running a straight up ac mini panel in the boat that includes galvanic isolation and reverse polarity protection?

My dock neighbor has a whole ac system setup and I think it’s way overkill to power my onboard three bank charger.

I want to do this right but at the same time I don’t want to overbuild for a single circuit... my battery charger.

I have a 2-bank charger that is plugged in all the time. As long as you have 110v power, I see no reason not to. Sorry if I did not fully answer but this is what I would do.

 

[mark_m]

I have a 2-bank charger that is plugged in all the time. As long as you have 110v power, I see no reason not to. Sorry if I did not fully answer but this is what I would do.

Definitely will have the charger plugged in. What I’m struggling with is coming from the dock with a pigtail and extension cord to the boat and put in a simple 110 male plug

Or do I go for 30amp male plug with smart plug and step 30 amps down to 15 and have an ac circuit in the boat and wire up plug for the charger.

edit: like ezacdc.com - easy add ac shore power solution