Electrical power question

Steve S

Steve S

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2007
3,132
Northern IL.
Boat Info
2000 400 Sedan Bridge with twin CAT 3116's

2000 340 Sundancer - SOLD!
210 Monaco 1987 - SOLD!
Engines
Twin Caterpillar 3116's 350 HP straight drives
Can someone explain dock power?

I was on a 30A/120v dock. Used a Y adapter for the 2 feeds on my 340. Sometimes if I had AC, microwave and stove burner on I would trip the pedestal breaker.

Now I am on a 50A/120v dock. Had to buy a weird 50A/120v male to 30A/120v female adapter. All is good.

But some docks have 50A/250v. Is it possible to run power to my Sundancer on that dock? If so how and what is needed?
 
remove the 30A plug and install a 50A plug although the wire size of the shore power cord may be undersized or purchase a 50A power cord.
 
morning Steve. The electric pedestal you are referring to should also have 1 or 2 120v outlets also so you can use your existing power cords. take a look at the breakers designated for the 120 outlets, they may be 30 or 50 A. However, you should not be using a cord designed for 30A if you are drawing more than 30A. If you want to find out how many amps your drawing you can get a clamp-on amp probe (I use a Fluke) at a electric supply house or Home Depot may carry a similiar one. Plug in your cord, turn on all your appliances and put the amp probe around the cord and see how many amps you draw. Just for reference, turn on your appliances one at a time to see how many amps each one draws. If overall, you are drawing more than 30A, you should either upgrade to a 50A 120V cord or just reduce your load by just using less appliances at the same time. Bottom line, don't overload the 30A cord.
Take care.
 
Hello Steve: to answer your ? the 50/250 is for 220 appliances, like electric stove in your house or a dryer. Hope this helps Jim
 
eagleone said:
Hello Steve: to answer your ? the 50/250 is for 220 appliances, like electric stove in your house or a dryer. Hope this helps Jim
Click to expand...
That's what I thought. Thanks!
 
With the correct Y adapter you can connect to a 50A 125/250V pedestal receptacle. You would need Y cable similar to Part# 153AY in the below table.

If you were using a Y adapter like Part# 152AY shown below plugged into a 30A 125V pedestal receptacle, you would trip the pedestal breaker with your AC, microwave and stove all on at the same time.

plugs.JPG
 
GCHOG said:
morning Steve. The electric pedestal you are referring to should also have 1 or 2 120v outlets also so you can use your existing power cords. take a look at the breakers designated for the 120 outlets, they may be 30 or 50 A. However, you should not be using a cord designed for 30A if you are drawing more than 30A. If you want to find out how many amps your drawing you can get a clamp-on amp probe (I use a Fluke) at a electric supply house or Home Depot may carry a similiar one. Plug in your cord, turn on all your appliances and put the amp probe around the cord and see how many amps you draw. Just for reference, turn on your appliances one at a time to see how many amps each one draws. If overall, you are drawing more than 30A, you should either upgrade to a 50A 120V cord or just reduce your load by just using less appliances at the same time. Bottom line, don't overload the 30A cord.
Take care.
Click to expand...

It happened once and I have been more careful with the load applied So no worries there. Thanks!
 
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