intallation of shore power to dock

[05sundancer26]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and to boating with a cruiser, we previously had an 89 18' searay and just moved up to an '05 260 sundancer. We are now thinking of installing shore power to our dock. The house (where the power is) is about 100' above the water where the existing dock is. What do we need to know and or make sure the electrician does correctly? I have read we need 30amps at the boat.
Thank you ahead of time for any help.

 

[FootballFan]

My thought is the cost of "installing" is much more significant than the cost of the parts. Not sure if you are going underground or not - but if I was going to put in a shore power on a dock, I would run the wiring for both 30 and 50 amp service. Would guess the extra components are a fraction of the trenching, etc cost.

I would try to find someone local who is knowledgeable of the electrical code for the area.

Also - I am hoping someone else on the forum would know for sure - can you put a water line in the same trench - or would it have to be separate.

If I didn't already have water run to the dock, this might be the time.

Just my 2 cents,

Mark

 

[Bucit]

Since they will be in PVC I don't see why you couldn't have both in the same trench although where he gets his power from (main electrical panel) and where he gets his water from might not be located near each other. I ran a 220 line to the boat lift and a separate 110 line connected to a standard outdoor receptacle. I have a pigtail for my 30 amp power line that will plug into a regular out. This way i can plug additional items in the same outlet if needed.

 

[2000SR380]

You really need the right electrician for this one. The things that come to mind offhand are: What is the house wired for? You need to be sure the Master Panel has the necessary capacity. Many homes are only wired at 100 amps, or 125 amps. Newer, or larger homes may be wired for 200amps or better. Whatever your service is you need to be sure it has the capacity to run both the house and the boat. What kind of hook-up are you thinking of having at the dock? Google "30 amp marine pedestals", for some weather proof options at the dock end. Be sure your boat has a GFCI. Check out the guidelines at www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/safe-shorepower.asp

 

[05sundancer26]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and to boating with a cruiser, we previously had an 89 18' searay and just moved up to an '05 260 sundancer. We are now thinking of installing shore power to our dock. The house (where the power is) is about 100' above the water where the existing dock is. What do we need to know and or make sure the electrician does correctly? I have read we need 30amps at the boat.
Thank you ahead of time for any help.

Thank you for the information so far from all who have responded. a little more info...the house has 200amps, we already ran water down there awhile ago, so that isn't a concern. I am wondering though, will they have to trench for the power? Our water pump from the lake runs through a black plastic pipe down the hill on the surface. Also does a 260 searay need 50 amps? or is it 30? I would also like to have power for the potential future boat lift, lights, vacuums etc.
Additionally do we need shore power for our boat. Would just the driving of the boat charge things enough? Please bear with me if these questions seem elementary!!! Thank you again

 

[FootballFan]

I would think the 260 has 30 amp - my thought on 50 was while your pulling wire - pull for the future.

The idea of making sure you have 110 - for normal stuff to plug into is a great idea.

*** My Opinion *** on whether you need shore power is YES if the boat is in the water all the time. It's not just about keeping the batteries charged for starting - but its about making sure there is constant power for bilge pumps.

 

[The Bill Collector]

I installed a RV 30 amp outlet in my driveway. At first I thought 50 amp because that's what RV takes, but the size difference in the 2 wires is huge and then cost difference. So, I installed a 30 amp outlet on a 30 amp breaker out of my main panel. It's 3 wires and with a basic knowledge of wiring it was pretty simple.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I would think the 260 has 30 amp - my thought on 50 was while your pulling wire - pull for the future.

The idea of making sure you have 110 - for normal stuff to plug into is a great idea.

*** My Opinion *** on whether you need shore power is YES if the boat is in the water all the time. It's not just about keeping the batteries charged for starting - but its about making sure there is constant power for bilge pumps.

260 does use 30amp service.

Bennett