diver dave
Guru
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2017
- Messages
- 2,570
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Coquina
- Vessel Make
- Lagoon 380
Maybe why the black one is called the HOT conductor.
Kidding aside, good post.
Kidding aside, good post.
Why call SmartPlug for advice? Does anybody really think that SmartPlug, if given all the facts, would truly advise to use their product after simply drying it off and squirting some WD40 on the contact surfaces?????
I've replaced dozens of L5-30R connectors at the boat-end of shorepower cables for myself and for friends/clients. Before doing so I always remove and inspect the L5-30P inlet on the boat. In EVERY case, without exception, I have found the root cause is poor wiring termination inside the boat. The common defect is stranded wire stuffed into the inlet and the screw-clamp is directly in contact with the strands -- this is a 'code' violation -- ABYC requires a ferrule crimped on the end of any wire/cable that is terminated inside a screw-down type connector. When ferrules are not used, the strands 'squish', the connections invariably build up resistance over time, resistance creates heat in the blade(s), heat is conducted via the blade into the end of the shore-power cable and melts the plastic and/or causes a fire inside the boat. When an L5-30P inlet (or ANY boat-side AC inlet) s correctly wired using ABYC required ferrules, and recommended torque on the screws, the standard L5-30P is perfectly reliable and will provide safe service for the life of the boat. I am not a fan of 'Smart Plug' -- they are unnecessary, expensive and potentially mask other problems. After a recent heat-wave here in Minnesota I heard from four live-aboard marina mates that their cables were burned at the boat-end. All of them were burned because of miswiring inside the boat, the worst of them looked like this...a tragedy narrowly averted.
Good information. One minor point for those trying to get up to speed on terminology, I believe the end of the cable is the "P", or plug and the boat end is the "R" or receptacle. Do I have that correct?I've replaced dozens of L5-30R connectors at the boat-end of shorepower cables for myself and for friends/clients. Before doing so I always remove and inspect the L5-30P inlet on the boat. In EVERY case, without exception, I have found the root cause is poor wiring termination inside the boat. The common defect is stranded wire stuffed into the inlet and the screw-clamp is directly in contact with the strands -- this is a 'code' violation -- ABYC requires a ferrule crimped on the end of any wire/cable that is terminated inside a screw-down type connector. When ferrules are not used, the strands 'squish', the connections invariably build up resistance over time, resistance creates heat in the blade(s), heat is conducted via the blade into the end of the shore-power cable and melts the plastic and/or causes a fire inside the boat. When an L5-30P inlet (or ANY boat-side AC inlet) s correctly wired using ABYC required ferrules, and recommended torque on the screws, the standard L5-30P is perfectly reliable and will provide safe service for the life of the boat. I am not a fan of 'Smart Plug' -- they are unnecessary, expensive and potentially mask other problems. After a recent heat-wave here in Minnesota I heard from four live-aboard marina mates that their cables were burned at the boat-end. All of them were burned because of miswiring inside the boat, the worst of them looked like this...a tragedy narrowly averted.
good information. One minor point for those trying to get up to speed on terminology, i believe the end of the cable is the "p", or plug and the boat end is the "r" or receptacle. Do i have that correct?
Thanks.
On further thought he is correct. The receptacle is at the end of the plug (the powering end) and the plug is at the boat (the powered end). Typically it is the other way around but this is one of the few exceptions. Sorry for the confusion.IME, the exposed contacts are MALE and designated P. Doesnt matter the mounting config.
IME, the exposed contacts are MALE and designated P. Doesnt matter the mounting config.