Reversed Polarity Light On while plugged into Shore Power

[Traveler643]

I have a 280 Sundancer (2002), and occasionally when I'm plugged in to shore power the Red Light designated as Reversed Polarity comes on instead of the Green Light designated as Power. The AC Volt Meter barely registers anything either. It doesn't happen most of the time, but it has happened enough times now that I'm wondering about it. The guy I'm renting the lift & dock from says the cause must be something with my boat. I've attached a photo of the panel down in our cabin.

Can anybody shed any light on this for me? Thanks

 

[Shenanigans77]

I have a 280 Sundancer (2002), and occasionally when I'm plugged in to shore power the Red Light designated as Reversed Polarity comes on instead of the Green Light designated as Power. The AC Volt Meter barely registers anything either. It doesn't happen most of the time, but it has happened enough times now that I'm wondering about it. The guy I'm renting the lift & dock from says the cause must be something with my boat. I've attached a photo of the panel down in our cabin.

Can anybody shed any light on this for me? Thanks

Undo the 4 screws that hold the socket in the back of the boat and pull it out. Check the wires where they terminate in the back of the socket. I had a burnt/corroded neutral that was causing intermittent reverse polarity

 

[Stray Current]

it happens occasionally in the same place, or only happens inone place consistently?

was the dock flooded during Ian since your location is SWFL?

 

[ttmott]

A marina that returns a lot of current on the neutral (a lot of boats on a circuit for example all running HVAC) will tend to illuminate the reverse polarity lamp. But it will be flickering or dim. Even your boat when loaded down can/will illuminate the reverse polarity lamp as the neutral has a higher potential than the ground. The Reverse Polarity indicator monitors for potential differential between the neutral and ground on the boat and if the neutral isn't fully bonded to the shorepower source it will shine brightly. @Shenanigans77 diagnosis is probably closer to what is happening especially as the OP is showing zero volts on the meter.

 

[Traveler643]

Not sure if the dock was flooded during Ian (good chance it was). Our boat is not docked at a marina, it's occurring while on the lift at a private residence we rent the slip from.

 

[Skuza]

I like your cup too

 

[spikedaddy99]

Do you have a generator? Does it happen with the genny running? (trying to rule out your boat or shore power...)

 

[ttmott]

Do you have a generator? Does it happen with the genny running? (trying to rule out your boat or shore power...)

The genny ties the ground and neutral together so definately no reverse polarity or it'd be a direct short circuit.

 

[spikedaddy99]

My bad. Shows what I know Find a different dock?