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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Shore Power

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Scribby48
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/05/2013 : 20:44:41

I am a new Catalina 25 owner and am having trouble figuring out if I am getting shore power. Do I need to do something with the electrical panel that has reverse/polarity on it. The lights and AC plugs are not working that makes me think I am not properly plugged in or have the electrical panel set right.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2013 : 02:35:15

All the lights on my boat are all 12V that have nothing t do with the shore power, however, you may have some 110V lights that were installed by a previous owner. On my boat there is a polarity switch near the panel that I have had to switch once for proper 110 supply to the 110V outlets. I think it depends on how the dock receptacle is wired.

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2013 : 07:32:26

Unfortunately for new C25 owners, there are many "options" that might have been used for shore power hookups. The Catalina factory had a very basic shore power option that could be selected while the boat was being built. Here's a link to the page in the "parts manual" that shows the factory installation. http://catalina-capri-25s.org/manbro/pictures/pc39.gif
Of course various previous owners could have installed their own version. These installations might have included breaker panels and multiple circuits.
However, in general, the interior lights, VHF radio, depth sounders, stereo systems, et al... are probably on 12 bolt DC circuits. Smart battery chargers, plug in outlets, microwave ovens, etc. probably use 110 volt AC circuits.
Here's a link to a photo in the Tech Tips section that shows the electrical panel arrangement on Snickerdoodle that I installed for shore power. http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/tt024.asp
WARNING!!!! Do not mix and match the 12 VDC and the 110 VAC circuits. At the least, you'll burn up your VHF and other electronics... At worse, well, it could be a "shocking" experience. A good volt/ohm multi-meter would be a good tool to determine what kind of volts/amps/ohms your circuits have.
Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5373 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2013 : 07:37:10

Adding to Bill's comment: there should be NO connection at all (not even ground) between the 12VDC circuit and 110VAC circuit. The only exception would be a battery charger which is designed for that application. The said, if I had a battery charger, I would not hardwire it into the 110 VAC system, as it is easily possible to reverse the polarized plug or three pin grounded plug.
I noticed that the basic 110 VAC diagram does include a circuit breaker, but does not include a reverse polarity cutoff. This is a must because you never know how a transient marina's power plugs may be wired. The consequence could be that the hot and neutral are reversed and what you thought was a safe appliance in your home port could be quite shocking elsewhere.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5373 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2013 : 07:54:53

Scribby - welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy your Catalina.
As pointed out, the 110 VAC wiring should be separate. In order to see the wiring from the shore power receptacle to the panel, you should look in the port side fender locker (aka the dumpster). While you could get down inside to work on the wiring, it's advised you don't. You could get locked in!!!
With power NOT plugged in, you should get a voltmeter with a continuity tester to see whether the connections are good. On a 10 or 100 ohm setting, continuity should be less than 1 ohm. There should be infinite ohms (---) between black and white sides of the circuit. With the circuit breaker closed (but not connected to shore power) you should read zero ohms between the shore power connector and corresponding outlet prong (hot to hot, neutral to neutral, ground to ground). If not, you've found an issue.
With breaker open, the hot should read infinite or open.
If you have a polarity indicator and hot and neutral are reversed, this will show up after you've plugged into shore power. I'd advise you do all voltmeter testing without shore power plugged in.

Edited by - Voyager on 07/07/2013 07:58:55

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2013 : 08:22:14

And, of course, test to see if the Shore Power outlet at the Dock/Slip/House has power!!!

Paul

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2013 : 08:37:01

I don't have a reverse polarity switch in my system. I do have a plug-in circuit tester that sits unused at home in my workbench. Since I only go to other marinas once or twice a year, I'm going to plug that tester into a power strip on my boat to have it constantly available. If I encounter a marina with reversed polarity, I'll just unplug and live off of 12v for the night.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2013 : 15:26:20

We use ground fault outlets on our dock and the are often popped.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.