I'm living aboard my McGregor 26X (2002) and need to know how to set up accessing shore power. Is it best to just run the electric cable into the cabin and use a surge protector to plug in my appliances (mostly cell phone charger, Mac Book computer, and maybe someday a fridge and a microwave or toaster oven or both, and possibly a fan).
Any suggestions? I'm getting the impression that I should not hook up to the battery power lest my boat go up on a poof of hydrogen gas!
Re: lighting--I'm using three stick-up lights (round ones, each about the diameter of a tennis ball that use AAA batteries.) Can't really think of anything else I'd need to plug in, but I really don't want to draw down the battery power of the engine or cabin.
Thanks, all!
Julianne
Shore power
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craiglaforce
- Captain
- Posts: 831
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:30 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Houston, Tx
Re: Shore power
I just use an outdoor extension cord and run it into the hatch at the corner by the starboard winch when I want to get power. I have it hooked to a powe strip and then plug in the battery charger and anything else to the power strip. I also carry an adaptor to use the fancy round power outlets if the marina uses that type.
Most people would do some fancy shore power supply and pay lots of money for it, but mine has worked fine for 10 years now, so to each his own.
Walmart has a neat little LED Lantern for around 5 bucks that can run 24/7 for over a week on a set of AA batteries. Might also work as an anchor light if made waterproof with some electrical tape.
Fluorescent lighting is also very energy efficient. I have convereted a couple of batttery operated fluorescent lights that used 8 batteries to be a hardwired light off the main batteries.
http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=10&f=18&t=612931
Most people would do some fancy shore power supply and pay lots of money for it, but mine has worked fine for 10 years now, so to each his own.
Walmart has a neat little LED Lantern for around 5 bucks that can run 24/7 for over a week on a set of AA batteries. Might also work as an anchor light if made waterproof with some electrical tape.
Fluorescent lighting is also very energy efficient. I have convereted a couple of batttery operated fluorescent lights that used 8 batteries to be a hardwired light off the main batteries.
http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=10&f=18&t=612931
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James V
- Admiral
- Posts: 1705
- Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"
Re: Shore power
Livingaboard is a little different and as far as I know you are most likely the first to post such,
Being pluged in all the time will have problems with weather. Like sun, rain, dust, snow and ice at the connection. I do recommend a twist lock like the 30 amp, Also make sure that you tie the cord around the plug in post so that the plug does not support the weight. I do not think that you will use more than a 30 amp marine cord. Check with your marina and other liveaboards with what they use. You may have problems with the 15 amp in time, but if that is what you have, for now, it will be fine.
What you are saying on the inside of your boat is good. Make sure that you do not throw anything over it. A couple of small 110V lights will help and a small battery charger as well but for now it looks good. I do not have much more. It depends on the temps but I am staying (i hope) in the 60 - 80 degree areas.
Being pluged in all the time will have problems with weather. Like sun, rain, dust, snow and ice at the connection. I do recommend a twist lock like the 30 amp, Also make sure that you tie the cord around the plug in post so that the plug does not support the weight. I do not think that you will use more than a 30 amp marine cord. Check with your marina and other liveaboards with what they use. You may have problems with the 15 amp in time, but if that is what you have, for now, it will be fine.
What you are saying on the inside of your boat is good. Make sure that you do not throw anything over it. A couple of small 110V lights will help and a small battery charger as well but for now it looks good. I do not have much more. It depends on the temps but I am staying (i hope) in the 60 - 80 degree areas.
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jaguar496
- Engineer
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:39 am
- Location: MESIC, NC, '08 26M 40hp suzuki "THE RESTLESS TWO" MACM2023L708
Re: Shore power
Hi JHAGAN: Alice and I were fortunate in that the constant information flow relating to all things 
& 
, helped us to design our installations for "THE RESTLESS TWO", which we purchased in Jan. this year. We had three 120v ac double outlets put inside, with the ac panel on the lower forward divider in the head. Guess I'll take some pics of our additions, and put them on the mods page. We turned on shore power and then turned on the coffee pot, the microwave, and an air conditioner, which is a mod we may have for sale to MAC owners; as the above advice, SAFETY is paramount. Alice and Stew
& , helped us to design our installations for "THE RESTLESS TWO", which we purchased in Jan. this year. We had three 120v ac double outlets put inside, with the ac panel on the lower forward divider in the head. Guess I'll take some pics of our additions, and put them on the mods page. We turned on shore power and then turned on the coffee pot, the microwave, and an air conditioner, which is a mod we may have for sale to MAC owners; as the above advice, SAFETY is paramount. Alice and Stew