Boat reverse polarity

[Jrato14]

Hello all,
When I put away my boat winterized and shrink wrapped, it was fine today I plugged it in with a short tie, and my main panel says reverse polarity. I was wondering where I should start.

 

[cyclops222]

You connected the battery to the wrong battery posts.

 

[Jrato14]

Hmmm I don’t think so but I will double check

 

[Mc Tool]

Hello all,
I plugged it in with a short tie,

What does this mean ?

 

[Jrato14]

lol u know what I mean

 

[dingbat]

Guessing this is your AC panel since hooking up the batteries backwards would have “smoked” any electronics onboard.

Either your power cord or power reciprocal has neutral and ground switched

 

[Jrato14]

But that can happen on its own. I have not touched anything it just the same as before winter

 

[Jrato14]

Last time it was plugged in it was fine

 

[dingbat]

Last time it was plugged in it was fine

Plugged into what?
This is a supply side issue, not a boat problem

 

[Jrato14]

So at the end of last season it was plugged into the marina main power on the dock. Right now it was plugged into the 110 at the marina with the 110 adapter for the shore tie. The 110 outlet works fine with shop vac and other 110 stuff. Could it be my main receptacle on the boat has corroded or something. Or something that is plugged in has grounded? Or would the appliances not cause this as they are off on the AC panel

 

[cyclops222]

How about your charger is now defective ? Happens.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Get a volt meter otherwise you are just guessing

 

[Jrato14]

So in general it could be anything plugged in even if the individual ac power breakers for the equipment is off

 

[Bt Doctur]

or your extension from the house is backwards

 

[Comogene]

Have had that problem frequently when stored on the hard for the winter. The problem is in the 110-volt supply line at the marina. You can pick up a line tester and when you plug it in to the outlet, it tells you what lines are reversed or missing. Alternately, it could be your adapter, which I presume is a 30-amp female to 15-amp male (broken connection).

Most electrical appliances do not care which direction the current flows or if a ground wire is missing. Your boat's system does.

 

[ESGWheel]

I was wondering where I should start.

1st be extra cautious and do not use your AC system until this is sorted out. 2nd as mentioned get yourself a device that will test an outlet for reverse polarity, like this link. Since this style is made for typical outlets, and your dock’s power pedestal / boats power cord is probably 30A also get yourself a converter like this link. Alternatively, they do make 30A polarity testers. 3rd using you new reverse polarity tester plug it into the pedestal using the same outlet that you did when you got the A/C Panel’s reverser polarity light. If not good contact your Marina.

If all is good, then evaluate your cords between the pedestal and boat connection. Is it a fully molded cord without any tears or repairs? If yes, its still possible an issue. Use your new tester at the end of the cord as well. Any options to replace it or perhaps borrow one? If cord is good and still getting reverse light, unplug and visually inspect behind the A/C panel and in around the ckt breakers. Any noticeable corrosion or frayed wiring? If yes and you are comfortable with repairing, do so. If not comfortable or no noticeable issues, suggest contracting a marine certified electrician.

 

[Grub54891]

I've personally seen similar stuff like that. One big one is the water heater. The element goes bad but still works as it's leaking a small amount of current. Even with the breaker off it shows the same. Unhook the wires completely from the heater itself and see if it clears up. If it does you found the problem.

 

[Jrato14]

I've personally seen similar stuff like that. One big one is the water heater. The element goes bad but still works as it's leaking a small amount of current. Even with the breaker off it shows the same. Unhook the wires completely from the heater itself and see if it clears up. If it does you found the problem.

That’s great advice I definitely need to replace it also

 

[dingbat]

The 110 outlet works fine with shop vac and other 110 stuff. Could it be my main receptacle on the boat has corroded or something. Or something that is plugged in has grounded? Or would the appliances not cause this as they are off on the AC panel

Reverse polarity in a AC circuit is a grounding issue. Swapping the wires of an AC supply makes no difference to the load.

Has their been any electrical work done on the supply line?
The most common cause is reversing the neutral (blk) and hot (wht) wires on a receptacle or plug.

White or red wire (hot) goes to gold screw on receptacle
Black wire (neutral) goes to Silver screw on receptacle

 

[sangerwaker]

White or red wire (hot) goes to gold screw on receptacle
Black wire (neutral) goes to Silver screw on receptacle

I believe you have that slightly backwards. Red (typically a switched wire) or black are hot and should go to the line or hot terminal, typically a brass or gold screw, White would go to the neutral or silver terminal on 120V receptacles.