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Check those shorepower plugs...!

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Pascal, Sep 19, 2018.

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  1. Pascal, Sep 19, 2018
    #1
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yet another case of check those shorepower plugs...

    Over the summer i ve noticed our shorepower plug and the end of the cord getting increasingly hot along with more frequent breaker tripping on the boat (the 100amp mains at the glendining)

    I just replaced the plug and indeed one of the wire was damaged. Looks like someone nicked the insulation when cutting the yellow jacket. Cut a foot off the cable to get nice and clean copper and installed a new marinco plug. Interestingly the marinco branded plug is made in germany by Mennekes. Yeah, not china!!

    Now, could someone explain why the Hubbel or Marinco plugs runs about $600 when the industrial version only costs $220?

    http://www.elecdirect.com/pin-sleev...jaJHoP9kfiA66VYBGlCN_Lafzw9lyelxoCBkoQAvD_BwE


    IMG_9246.JPG IMG_9245.JPG IMG_9243.JPG
  2. PacBlue, Sep 19, 2018
    #2
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    That's some nice forensic detective work.

    As far as the cost difference, the words "Marine" bump it up $380, that's about $63 per letter!

    Would have to dig in the A.B.Y.C. rules to see if the Marine specs vs. Industrial spec really warrant the additional cost.
  3. Capt Ralph, Sep 19, 2018
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Industrial connects are not UL rated. Nor rated for marine. If that potato has ever a claim, these issues will be looked at.
    That said, I have shopped the internet and found bargains when not in a project hurry.
  4. Capt Ralph, Sep 19, 2018
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    My last project was a 3 phase to single phase converter box. All components UL and marine rated. So I have shopped for a few 5 and 4 pin connects.
  5. Pascal, Sep 19, 2018
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    That s why i got the marinco... $600 for a few pieces of molded plastic and 4 pins is just ridiculous. Just for kicks i looked at the price of a 100amp cord set and couldnt find one under $3000. Sure it s a heavier gauge But only 4 conductors. 2 awg tinned wire is about $2 a foot so that s $200 worth of wire plus the outer jacket. Add the two plugs and thats $1500. And those ahore power cables arent even tinned!!!

    Boat really stands for bend over and take it
  6. Capt Ralph, Sep 19, 2018
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep. But you already knew this long ago.
  7. Capt J, Sep 19, 2018
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    There are 4 wires......so $2ft x4 x100= $800 in wire plus the connectors, plus the boots, etc. They don't sell nearly as many 100amps which drives the prices I guess...…. Look at the price difference between a 30 amp cord and a 50 amp cord......10x the price.

    The Marinco ends are a hell of a lot easier to change than the Hubbell.
  8. Pascal, Sep 19, 2018
    #8
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Most of them are 50’ sometimes 75. Almost never 100’

    Problem with the Hubbell is that it doesn’t fit well in the glendining. One of the reason I ordered the marinco is that the specs showed it to be 1” shorter. Turned out it wasn’t but at least I was able to trim the end so the cablemaster cover could close.
  9. cleanslate, Sep 19, 2018
    #9
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Having personally dealt with U.L., they are quite expensive on getting things tested and listed. I'm sure the "marine" testing at U.L. is rigorous and it is very time consuming just dealing with U.L.
    Once you are U.L listed you continued to get billed by U.L. for unannounced plant visits/inspections and other maintenance fees. And U.L. knows how to bill! This I think is a contributing factor to the price for marine U.L. stuff...but , I would also have to agree , new to me, that Boat stands for Bend over and take it AND like it! Lol
  10. wdrzal, Sep 19, 2018
    #10
    wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    What I see in the first picture the wire was not inserted far enough into the plug...……...look at the hex set screws closely , the second one in both wires is turned in much deeper suggesting only the fist set screw was engaged with the wire.
  11. Capt J, Sep 20, 2018
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The Glenndenning cords come in 60' and 100' lengths from Glenndenning. Most boats have 100' as you lose 10' or more by the time it's routed through the cablemaster into the drum and out of the drum to the boat's electrical connection.
  12. Pascal, Sep 20, 2018
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Correct, the wire came out without loosening that screw
  13. chesapeake46, Sep 23, 2018
    #13
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    I was told that the difference btwn the industrial 50 amp 125/250v cord and the marine version is the prongs on the ind. are not plated but only brass. the marine are nickle plated ,I think.
  14. Capt Ralph, Sep 23, 2018
    #14
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    In the old days. I have not found tinned wires in a marine shore power cord in a long while.
  15. Pascal, Sep 23, 2018
    #15
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The pins look plated in the pictures.

    Most cables are indeed untinned. A few years back I got some times 50amp cable by the foot from Ward Elctrics In FLL
  16. Capt Ralph, Sep 23, 2018
    #16
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I goofed (wire & Pins).
    Yes, the PINS are plated for marine connects. This helps to keep the corrosion down.
    THEY DO STILL NEED CLEANING.
    It's been a while since I have handled Tinned wire cable.
  17. RT46, Sep 24, 2018
    #17
    RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    I try to keep my connectors dry and gooped up with dielectric grease.
  18. Capt Ralph, Sep 24, 2018
    #18
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Watch that grease. It will collect dirt/contaminates and hold it.
    We recommend to our customers vigilant inspections of shore power connects and pins. When in doubt, clean with contact cleaner and apply a thin coat of grease.
    We also recommend to our 30 & 50 amp connect customers, rotate the power connect a few times before clamping down the weather ring. 100 amp customers to push/pull the big connector a few times before clamping down the weather ring.
    This helps wipe the contact surface of old bugs and somebody elses connect grunge. It's scary to look into a transient docks power connect sometimes.

    A couple of our customers we tear down the 100 and some others 50 amp connects for inspection. Routine with oil change for a few.
    It's scary what we find.
  19. Capt Ralph, Sep 24, 2018
    #19
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Oh, molded male 50A plugs on powered retrieval systems for some reason are the worst.
    When they fry, they fry big time.
    FM Toast.
    Don't have the data yet to blame the mfg or the customer.
  20. Fiammetta42, Oct 2, 2018
    #20
    Fiammetta42

    Fiammetta42 Member

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    Great post Pascal .

    Just opened up both ends of my 32 A EU spec Marinco ,s to find the boat end earth disconnected.

    Wire was in the clamp ,it had fractured/ snapped and just came out .
    Maybe insitu it had continuity? Point is who knows ?

    Cut back about 1 inch all ends ( even if they looked fine ) and refitted checking both screws gripped at the dock end .

    So yup all should do at least an annual check .
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