[C320-list] Reversed Polarity Light

[Bruce Heyman]

Seems like every year Seaworthy runs a story with pictures of a boat that
burned to the water line due to a defective shore power or connection at the
hull.  You are exactly right about how the connection becomes intermittent
due to corrosion which generates heat.  The heat then distorts the frame of
the plug or receptacle and then all bets are off.  

Owen - That is probably a really good idea to disassemble and rinse out
really good with fresh water.

Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Owen Mace
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 2:52 PM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Reversed Polarity Light

In our marina, we must have our ship-to-shore power leads tested by a
qualified electrician every year.  (Australian mains power is 240 VAC, 50
Hz.)  I checked mine before sending it to the elecrician.  I found that
there was measurable leakage and that it would barely have passed the test.
So I removed the plugs from either end, cleaned them in town water and let
them thoroughly dry before reassembling the cable and retesting.  Passed
testing with flying colours!

The message is that salt deposits can build up on power connectors, causing
leakage and possibly heating up the area and ...  It is worth regularly
checking the leakage of the power cables.

Owen Mace
Baloo #727
Adelaide, Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan Field
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 12:53 AM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Reversed Polarity Light

Paul - About 4-5 years ago, a couple in our marina sold their house and all
of their belongings.  They moved onto a cruising catamaran with all that
they owned, intending to circumnavigate up the Hudson, through the Lakes,
down the Mississippi and out into the Gulf and beyond for several years.
Within a day or so of moving in, they were running 5 space heaters.  The
load was too much for the boat, the wind was blowing about 30 knots, and it
took about 5 minutes for the boat to burn to the waterline.  They were on
board when the fire started but all they could do was get off as the boat
went up so fast.  There was a boat to windward that survived but the dock to
lee was destroyed.  Fortunately, there was no boat in the lee slip.  The cat
remained in the marina for about 2-3 weeks after and the stench was
overwhelming; last I heard it was in a landfill.  Lesson learned for yours
truly is that I only run space heaters when on board and then only one! -
Allan

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Vpweikel at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 7:37 AM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Reversed Polarity Light

I experienced this problem several years ago and found a short in the 110 V

shore power connector at the stern.  Replaced the male plug on the boat and

eliminated the problem caused by the short between the hot and neutral
wires.  
The plug was pretty well fried in my instance.  My problem also occurred in

the winter when several heaters were going so I figured it was caused by the

high current draw.
 
Access to this area is thru the aft berth door for the stern locker.
 
Hope this helps.
 
 
Paul Weikel
Second Chance
#361
Georgetown, MD