Weird Wire

[Craig_B]

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This might be a weird question........

So I was poking around finding out what does what in our new to us 1988 Santego.
Under the galley sink is an inverter with a single orange "extension cord" plugged into it.
I followed the wire down the starboard side until it disappeared and I have no idea what its for or where it goes.
If I turn off the inverter or unplug the orange plug nothing changes.

I think this is probably a long shot but does anybody have any idea what it may be for?

Thanks

[buster53]

What on your boat needs 110v? Any chance your frig is only 110v and the previous owner wanted to be able to run it away from the dock?

[buster53]

Is the inverter connected to your batteries

[buster53]

Ice maker?

[Craig_B]

The fridge is dual voltage and runs with A/C breaker off and the inverter turned off and/or plug unplugged.
I can only see the male end of the orange "extension cord" the other end disappears into the boats interior.

Its a mystery.

All other outlets etc still function with inverter turned off or unplugged.
I guess I will keep searching for the other end of the orange plug.

[Craig_B]

Source of the post Is the inverter connected to your batteries

Yes. Two big cables attached. One red one black.

[bud37]

Ok its raining today so good time to hunt around........detach your shorepower plug from the boat,now go round to all your plugs with a tester or 120 lamp and see if any outlets are powered up....if not then turn the inverter on and try the same thing.........leave the fridge off ( no 12 or 120 )...

My guess , the extension cord is plugged into an outlet behind a cabinet, maybe where the fridge plugs in or micro etc........let us know what happens, remember to be careful when you have an inverter,... when you think the power is off that thing can be powering up the boat, double check with a tester....

Fyi....if that is actually an extension cord, that is a NO,NO.....if all works maybe get some marine cable and fix that up.

[km1125]

How big is the inverter (in watts)? That will narrow down what to look for. If it's smaller, say 300-500 watts, I suspect it might be for a TV... do you have one that's only 120V? I toyed with an an inverter just to the TV for several years, mostly just because it's a good distraction for kids.

If it's larger, say 1000-1500w, then I'd suspect it'd be for a microwave and you could look behind the microwave to see if there's an extra orange plug for that purpose.

[ColRon]

Craig_B, you say its on the starboard side under the sink. Which direction does it run, toward the bow or stern. If the bow, I’m wondering if it is hooked to your A/C unit. I assume you have one. Since you say it has two large battery cables to the inverted, then it must be a fairly hefty one. On the 3067 I previously owned our a/c unit was under the bed. Look for the cord in your closet in the starboard side between the galley area and state room. It may also go to the cooking range, mine was electric/alcohol. I always hated the alcohol burners and refused to use them as I got burned by an alcohol flame before and you can’t easily see an alcohol flame Do you have a genset? They may have put the inverter in so that the electric burners or a/c could be used when anchored out if you don’t have a genset or to keep from running the genset.

[Craig_B]

The battery wires are about the same gauge as what runs to the starter motors.
The inverter is 1500 watts.
This orange cord runs starboard to the stern which is toward the a/c unit. Its under the starboard couch.
However when the a/c breaker is off the a/c still does not run. Its possible this cord may have at one time ran the a/c but no longer does.
Either way it seems this cord is out of place and doesn't belong.
Next time I'm really bored I will see if I can find the other end.