[C320-list] Shore Power

[Scott Thompson]

I keep my boat on a mooring most of the season so shore power is not an 
option. I installed solar panels on the Bimini a few years ago. What a 
difference that makes in terms of keeping the batteries topped off! My 
main goal was to make sure the batteries got fully recharged after use 
so I didn't go for enormous capacity. If you are going to not plug in 
consistently then I strongly recommend going solar. Before I made the 
switch my batteries were only lasting a few years due to failure to get 
fully recharged after use. And now I rarely run the engine when anchored 
out.

Scott
Surprise, #653, Severna Park Maryland


On 4/19/2021 10:54 AM, John morrison wrote:
> Its been 5 years now since I installed a 180W solar panel on Luffin Life. The only time I’ve plugged into shore power was to confirm that the shore charger was still working OK. The fridge runs continuously and the solar panel keeps up with the load. I’m thinking of installing a larger panel, cause after about 3 cloudy days the batteries will start loosing charge. Its a good investment and good for the environment! The cost of these panels has dropped substantially. Most of them are made in China regrettably!!
> JohnM
> 1999#574
>
>> On Apr 19, 2021, at 9:11 AM, Bruce Heyman <BruceHeyman at cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Ken,
>> I we leave our vessel plugged into the shore power all the time.  I use the
>> boat as a "condo" frequently thought out the work week so the refrigerator
>> is on 100% of the time.  The only negative that I've read about having the
>> shore power connected in a marina is that it can expose you to additional
>> risks of corrosion of the below the waterline metals.   We have an isolator
>> at the electrical entrance to our vessel so that helps mitigate this risk.
>> Bruce
>> Somerset, San Pedro CA
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Ken
>> McCrimmon
>> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 5:37 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Shore Power
>>
>> Hi
>> When I purchased Kia Ora last fall, I asked the previous owner about their
>> practises with leaving the boat plugged into shore power.
>> The response was we don't leave it plugged in because it is bad for the
>> electrical system if it is plugged in without a draw on the power.
>> Since then, I have done research on shore power and really never found a
>> good answer to what is the concern with leaving the boat plugged in or not.
>>
>> I wanted to ask the forum what your practises are when the boat is in the
>> water at the marina and if you know what if any concerns, I should have with
>> leaving the shore power connected when I am not on board.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Ken
>>

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653