Shore Power Hookup

[POPS PLAYPEN]

I have a 98 33ft cruiser. I am new to this style of vessel. It has 2 sore power cords. In my shore power electrical box it has three settings (line1, line2, generator). It also has 2 seperate circuit breakers. One for each line. Also another set of breakers for the generator for each line. Ok, I know what the generator setting is, but what i don't know is, do both power cords need to be hooked up and the switch be set to line 2 or can I connect line 1 and set the switch to line 1 and everything still work or connect line 2 and set the switch to line 2 will everything still work. Is there a standard in the industry or are different manufactures set up different?
POPS is confused over this very simple question!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

Lets do a little "learning" and logical thinking exercise. 1) you have a switch labeled "Line 1", "Line 2", and "Generator". 2) you selected "Line 1" for example, do you think shore power connection "Line 2" would be needed? Answer = No! 3) The switch selects which shore power line you want to use. 4) If both Line 1 and Line 2 must be connected to utilize shore power, then the switch would need a setting labeled "Both" would it not? 5) So the lesson here is that if you have shore power connected to Line 1, set the switch to Line 1 and if you overload the circuit, the breaker for Line 1 would trip. Same applies to Line 2 and Generator. 6) If you connected both shore power lines you could still only operate on one of them because you cannot select both with the switch. I will assume the Line 1 and Line 2 shore power connections are on opposite sides of the boat so you don't have to run a power cable across the deck in the event you had only one connection and it happened to be on the wrong side of the boat when docked.

 

[POPS PLAYPEN]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

SILVERTIP You are trying to make me look stupid, or I have already done that on my own. No, the power cords are not on opposite sides of the boat, they are in a compartment at the back of the boat. If each line operates the same features, why have two lines? Unless one is in case the other line don't work. That would be a lot of work and material for nothing. i would think it would be as you stated (line 1 and both). I know the lines have to match the number but what is the purpose for two seperate lines that do the same thing?

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

Does your boat have air conditioning?

 

[POPS PLAYPEN]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

Yes It Has Central Heat And Air. It Works On All Three Switch Settings.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

Nobody can see your boat and you seem to have left out a number of little details like central heat and A/C. What other high current draw loads do you have? Redundancy (two lines) is not a waste, especially since you would be able to connect to two completely independent shore power sources. In other words plugging into the two outlets on a standard household outlet for example doesn't provide twice the power -- it merely splits the power you have available at the outlet. Connecting to opposite sides of a 240 source (like in your house) does provide two independent sources of 120V power so you can select the other if one side goes down. While 240 may be available at the dock, I doubt that independent 120 outlets are provided. Just so you know, redundancy is used in virtually all telecom networks and it switches automatically so this is not a waste of material.

Since I apparently upset you I won't attempt to help you any further.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

if it is set up like mine each is a standard 30 amp shore power service. if you are using the ac you should have both hooked up since it is a high current load. the manufacturer of my boat only adds the second shore power service if the boat has the reverse cycle Heat and a/c.

 

[outkast7222]

Re: Shore Power Hookup

Is it possible that one is a 120v and one is 240v? I have never dealt with shore power on a boat but my RV has two cords, one for 120 30 amp and one for 240v 50 amp. Depending on what service is available.