[C320-list] Shore power system

[Warren Updike]

To be clear, when you say, "neutral bus" do you mean the negative (black)
side of the DC service?  When you say, "safety ground bus" do you mean the
frame ground (green) side of the AC service?  If the answer to both is yes,
then this is a normal and recommended connection.  Our 1994 hull also has
this connection.  This is not likely contributing to your problem.  Nor, is
it a reason why your GFCI is tripping.  If everything else is OK, there
should be no voltage across the green/white or green/black wires of the AC
service that would trip the GFCI.

I think you should find your problem along the lines suggested by others.
Check every point of connection between the dock and the AC breaker.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Squires [mailto:rsquires77 at netzero.com] 
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 10:35 AM
To: C-320 List
Subject: [C320-list] Shore power system

This is our first season with this boat. When we connect to the shore power
supply we encounter two problems, so far. First is we get a reverse current
light, second when turning on the main AC breakers in order first the one at
the inlet then the one the panel, the GFCI at the supply point trips.

What we have noted already while investigating is that the neutral bus and
the safety ground bus are connected on the single shared terminal strip via
what look to be original jumpers.
The boat does not have an isolation transformer.

I can't believe this boat has been miswired this long without someone
questioning the buses being connected.
Can anyone think of a reason they would have, or should be connected on the
early series boats(hull #26)?
The buses being connected does explain the GFCI trip but not the reverse
current light. We have checked the source and cord with a polarity checker
and they are OK.
We need to dig deeper into the AC system, will we find any more surprises
with the system on a boat with an early hull number?

_/) Sent from my iPhone 5