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Maintenance Secrets
by Bill Drake
Tips for better boat care and onboard improvements
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Maintaining Connections Is the Key to Power
While many boaters rely on shore power systems for onboard AC, the harsh marine environment has been known to cause problems in even the best wiring devices, increasing the chance of fire or electrical shock. Maintenance is the key to keeping a safe, reliable shore power connection.
Corrosion from saltwater exposure is the biggest problem for marine electrical equipment.
If a boater drops a wiring device into salt water, power to the unit should be shut off immediately. The device should be washed thoroughly with fresh water and dried for several days. All electrical contacts should then be sprayed with an electrical contact cleaner to eliminate any remaining moisture.
Corrosion can also be caused by rainwater and repeated fresh water splashing. Essential moisture protection should be built into electrical equipment to help eliminate corrosion.
Vinyl covers can be used to protect plugs and connectors -- and a sealing collar system can lock out moisture at the vulnerable connection point between the cordset and the adapter.
Poor connections between a wiring device and electrical wires can also cause problems. This can result from loose terminations, wire or terminal corrosion or incorrect wire stripping.
Overheating is a telltale sign indicating electrical trouble, such as corrosion or bad connections. Boaters should regularly check all male and female connections on shore power cords, boat inlets and dockside receptacles for discoloration or melting.
Any wiring device showing signs of overheating should be replaced immediately. A new plug or connector should be spliced into the cordset and a new inlet or receptacle should also be installed.
At this point, the wire should be examined for signs of corrosion or oxidation. If the wire is not a bright copper color (or silver color, for tinned wire) it should be cleaned or replaced. It is impossible to make a good electrical connection to an oxidized or corroded wire.
Following these simple guidelines can greatly improve your peace of mind, as well as increasing the useful life of your shore power system. The small effort required to monitor these electrical devices pays off in the long run.
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This article first appeared in the August 1, 1996 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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