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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Shore Panel Location? (and wire size ?)

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sailgal
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USA
400 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/13/2004 : 00:05:03

I'm in need of a location for a new AC panel for shore power. Where have you guys and gals put yours on the 250? I had seen Oscars set up with his mounted on the starboard side of the companionway door, but, that won't work for me since I have a perko combo switch and compass and depth finder on that wall. Any thoughts on other spots that may work?

Also regarding wiring...I'm gonna pick up marine grade 10 gauge triplex for the run (less than ten feet) from the inlet to the panel. That seems the safe standard. After that things seem cloudy. Going to 15 amp GFI outlet/s what gauge is recommended? I've read 10, 12 and 14. (If price was not a determining factor) is it better or even possible because of size vs. amp of outlet to go with 10 all around? Thanks!

Suzie, Tropical Sleigh

WB #619 Sarasota FL.

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frankr
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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 12:24:18

I installed the shore connection recepticle inside the starboard cockpit cubby hole. That way it doesn't show, stays dry and makes for an easy run to where I mounted the panel. I mounted the panel in a small 3 - 3.5 inch teak box about half way down the galley cabinet by the aft berth. I centered the panel over the seam that seperates the cooler storage area from the hull liner. Then if you drill holes you can run the wires to the recepticles against the starboard hull under sink/stove. You can also mount a recepticle just below the counter top (microwave). I cut the hole through the upper/rear side of cooler storage area just below the right hand drawer and mounted a recepticle box so that the back projects into the space since the cooler lid can't hit it there. I installed another recepticle near the water tank up front under the v-berth and another one in the head.

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sailgal
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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 12:53:39

Frank thanks for your reply, by chance, do you have any photos of your ac panel? I'm thinking I may go the route of building a box, since I come up dry on any other location in wall areas. In a few old threads I read some put their panel on rear berth bulkhead, how they climb back to hit switches is beyond me...guess I'm getting old. What brand panel and how many breakers is yours? Yours seems more compact compared to what I've found with 3 circuit breakers (3.75 x 5.25 Blue Sea)
Thanks!

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frankr
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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 16:21:56

The panel is 5 x 7 and the box was just a piece of teak 1 x 3.5 made into a box with no top or bottom. I think I used 10 to the panel and 12 to the recepticles.

Edited by - frankr on 10/13/2004 17:08:21

Bubba
Admiral

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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 18:50:23

Suzie, I mounted an [url="http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?Product_Id=25651&d_Id=7502&l1=7460&l2=7989"]AC main breaker [/url]above the aft bulkhead to have it near the shore power inlet. It's there for safety - not as a switch. It'll be left on all the time. That meets the ABYC code for having a breaker within 10' of the inlet, thereby allowing more options for locating a distribution panel. I was able to squeeze a panel with three 15-amp circuits next to my DC panel. My shore power leads in from the cockpit, behind the aft bulkhead. I'll get a picture of the AC main this weekend.

The 10 gauge triplex is recommended for the run from the power inlet to the main breaker. You can safely use 14-3 for 15-amp circuits off the distribution panel.

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Jeff McK
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389 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 18:55:12

Frank,

A very nice job all around, especially with the connector in the cubby hole & the GFI installations. Do you feel there is any significant risk putting the connector so close to the propane tank (mine's in the starboard lazarette)?

Based on the picture it looks like you used a 30 AMP connection in the cubby. My marina has 20 AMP connections at the pier. I'm not very experienced with this sort of setup. Do you see any problems using a 20-20 cable or would a 20-30 setup and a 30-30 cable for other locations make more sense?

Bubba: Is the small square cover your shore connector? If so, how tough was it to put it in there?

Edited by - Jeff McK on 10/13/2004 19:00:45

sailgal
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400 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 19:45:33

Nice job guys! Frank that is the same panel I bought, thank everyone and Frank for the advise!!

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Keith D.
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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 20:50:02

Suzie here is the link to an old post I put out on this subject. http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6583 While I was doing the AC shore power I also noted that the DC was very poorly done by Catalina so I changed that one out at the same time. As for wire size you will need 10 gauge for the for the 30A input wire and 14 gauge for the 15A GFI. 12 gauge would be for a 20A circuit. I put my input in the same place as Frank has pictured in his reply. It keeps the length below 10’ and is a little more protected, it’s out of the way and works well. Keith

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Keith D.
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Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 21:33:05

Jeff My inlet is exactly the same as Bubba’s. It is a 30A-shore inlet. Putting it in the inlet in the starboard cockpit cubbyhole makes the job a lot easier than anywhere else does. First it is a straight shot to the breaker panel once you have drilled the hole so you don’t have to go underneath to run the wires and second it keeps the run for the input wire below 10’ so you can use 10 gauge wire. It is a little more protected, it’s out of the way and works well. As far as using a 20 30 or a 30 30 cable there is no problem as long as the wire and the inlet match the breaker you have in your boat. The only thing you would not want to do is adapt a 30A-pier socket to a 20A cord and have a 30A breaker in your boat. In this case the cord would not be protected. If you put a 20A cord into a 20A-pier socket and you have a 30A breaker on the boat then the cord would be protected by the breaker on the pier. This would be fine. I put the 30A inlet in because I have found that guest slips at marinas are a mixed bag. Some have 20A some 20A and 30A and some 30A only. I have only run into one marina, which had 50A only, and that slip was really for bigger boats. I hope this helps. Keith

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Jeff McK
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389 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2004 : 14:55:26

Kieth,

Thanks for the clarification, especially on the cable & breaker issues.

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Bubba
Admiral

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542 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2004 : 19:54:21

Jeff, I used a Hubbell brand shore power inlet I picked up at Fawcetts. Hubbell makes a stainless unit with a round screw cap for about twice the price of my plastic model, but a friend of mine has had the plastic model for years and it's been trouble-free.

I had the aft bulkhead out, so installing the inlet was a breeze. There's lots of room behind the inlet, and it's all out of sight when the bulkhead is replaced.

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