Shore power issues

[Back in a minute]

Greetings! I have a 1986 340 Sedan Bridge. Very recently, I've been having intermittent shore power issues on my 30 amp circuit. On my panel, it appears as if there is no power from the dock ped, yet the dock ped is powered on and not tripped. If I disconnect everything and wait, after a time, it all works fine. I noticed the other day that the volt meter was fluctuating up and down rapidly and I feel that may be a precursor to it failing. This makes me thing ground issues. I think the old solid state galvanic isolator that is installed could be the problem, but I'm not sure. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[The Bill Collector]

There will be far smarter and more experienced electrical folks on here, but if it was me I’d start with a volt meter at the pedestal and test every connection all the way to the back of your power panel… And at least on my boat there are multiple connections that I would need to check.

 

[hottoddie]

Start a the beginning. Can you plug into a different pedestal to see if it changes? Power a shore power cord from a neighbor? If the problem persists the connections at the back of the shore power inlet may be failing and need replacement. Start with those things.

 

[tony1b2000]

Also, check each end of the power cords, the pedestal outlet, and the boat outlet. Look for any brown burnt areas. Unfortunaly, these cords don't last forever after constant removal.
Make sure you use any screw on black hubs (if you have them) to keep the cords connected tightly and waterproof!

 

[ttmott]

Greetings! I have a 1986 340 Sedan Bridge. Very recently, I've been having intermittent shore power issues on my 30 amp circuit. On my panel, it appears as if there is no power from the dock ped, yet the dock ped is powered on and not tripped. If I disconnect everything and wait, after a time, it all works fine. I noticed the other day that the volt meter was fluctuating up and down rapidly and I feel that may be a precursor to it failing. This makes me thing ground issues. I think the old solid state galvanic isolator that is installed could be the problem, but I'm not sure. Any thoughts? Thanks!

There were a series of threads on CSR about the boat's shore power cord receptacle and how corrosion behind it was causing failures and the potential for fire. Galvanic Isolators have nothing to do with what you are experiencing.