396 Aft Cabin with weird problem with shore power

[tgebler]

I have had intermittent problems with the shore power. I have two shore cords connected to the power box on my dock at the marina. Every once and awhile, I am only getting power to line 1. The power box was checked by the marina's electrician with no problem. Sometimes everything works perfectly and other time no line 2 power.

Any thoughts before I pay my electrician to look at the issue?

[bud37]

Have a real good look at the power cord ends, specifically the sockets and prongs.....any corrosion/burn marks....signs of overheating......swap your cords around and see if the problem follows one cord or the other.

Put some dielectric grease on the cords ends and make sure they are connected properly at the pedestal and the boat....push and turn and attach your locking rings......if there is play after all that then there is a problem with the pedestal socket or your plug ends.

Please remember to unplug both ends ( power totally off ) before doing any inspection.

[tomschauer]

Yep clean those cord ends and receptacle contacts.
Dont be afraid to use a little fine grit sandpaper or scotch brite pad.
If you still have a problem pull out the shore power receptacles on the boat and check the connection on the back.
Bad shore power connection = high amp draw=failed equipment.

[buster53]

Also, anytime you plug-unplug your power cords, make sure the circuit breakers either on the dock or in your boat have been turned off. You don't want any power going thru the cords when you plug or unplug, otherwise you will create arching which over time will create burn marks on your connections - not good.