How to secure shore power cord

JoeStang

My battery charger is on the port side of my boat, and my dock this year is starboard. So, I have to find a way to have the power cord have enough slack to move with the boat, but not so much that it can reach the water if it comes unplugged somehow.

I have an aftermarket battery charger I installed myself. It has a 3 prong inlet like this:

I am going to buy a locking 15A extension cord, I just have to find one that that works in that specific inlet. I tried one already and the pop-up button would not open all the way inside the inlet housing, so it wasnt "locking". I have found a couple decent options, probably going to try this one from Marinco: https://marinco.com/en/p/150025/Extension-Cd-15A-14-3-Locking

I have a wood piling at the end of the slip and other midway, so I'm thinking I run some kind of wire between them and zip tie the power cord to that? Is that normal practice? I want it to be safe and non-janky looking, so if anyone knows of some supplies for a project like this I'm all ears.

The slip is 14' wide, and my beam is only 9', so I'm going to have some room to work with. I think that might not necessarily be an advantage since I'll be 2-3' from the piling.

They are floating docks, and I have to go bow-in. I really dont want to have the power cord laying on the swim platform either, which is why I want to get it suspended on those pilings somehow. Any suggestions are welcome.

raybo3

Why not a velcro strip and attach it through one of the screw holes with a small washer. Then just wrap it around the cord.

skennelly

One thing I hate about our boat is that I stern in and the power inlet is on port.  I have crawl on the bow and reach to disconnect.  I got lazy last year and secured the cord to the port railing so I can disconnect at the pedistal and store the cord on the slim platform.

LaRea

Just curious -- why do you have to tie bow in? 

I'd be uncomfortable tying a power cord to pilings that might get used by some rando transient.  My power cord goes across the swim platform, and I've learned to live with it.

JoeStang

They are floating docks, so the angle towards the seawall makes it impossible to get on & off with the swim platform if you back in. Plus the depth is much less at the seawall, so I'd cause erosion and suck up mucky water.

No transients in my marina, they are all condo wells owned by people, I just rent this one out for the summer.

raybo3 said:

Why not a velcro strip and attach it through one of the screw holes with a small washer. Then just wrap it around the cord.

Got a link so I can see what you're thinking? Sounds interesting 

shawnmjr said:

What about a long spring like this? They use these on semi trucks for their airlines to return after a turn so they don’t get snagged up. This should allow movement of your cord like you want. 



https://www.amazon.com/Pair-Trailer-Support-Springs-Airline/dp/B0193NQUXK/ref=asc_df_B0193NQUXK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312430092407&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16200514851349038210&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016917&hvtargid=pla-570041591226&psc=1

Thats a cool idea. I wonder what the weight capacity and stretch of them are. 

LaRea

Oh yeah, I see it.  Your swim platform would be next to the ramp if you back in.  

If I had a dock neighbor who tied a power cord to the shared pilings, I'd ask them to remove it.  I'd want free access to the pilings for tying storm lines in a blow.  

raybo3

Just mount the strap with a S/S washer on one of the mounting screws of the receptacle. 
https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Newlan-Adjustable-Organizer-Management/dp/B081HH5X61/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?crid=3R8PLQWGZ9HS2&cv_ct_cx=velcro+straps&keywords=velcro+straps&pd_rd_i=B081HH5X61&pd_rd_r=1dab830a-dc6e-49e4-a832-7ad855b7654b&pd_rd_w=z5wUd&pd_rd_wg=pzsIo&pf_rd_p=937f515b-f21e-48f6-8cfd-8695fa84b7c5&pf_rd_r=TRWXZFSF8QS6M59GYYQW&qid=1650246218&sprefix=velcr,aps,57&sr=1-2-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMDdIUVk4N0U3TDdOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTAwNTczMjFSMTlHQ1cwM1cwNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDQ4MTQyMzFTNFNUUjM5MkZFVCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3NlYXJjaF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

JoeStang

LaRea said:

Oh yeah, I see it.  Your swim platform would be next to the ramp if you back in.  

If I had a dock neighbor who tied a power cord to the shared pilings, I'd ask them to remove it.  I'd want free access to the pilings for tying storm lines in a blow.  

Thats a good point, dammit. I might have to wait and see how/if the neighbor boat ties up.

JoeStang

So I talked to the marina manager today and he said most people run a wire from the power pedestal to the pilings, and then hang the shore power cord from that. I plan on waiting until I'm in the water, and so is my neighbor, so I can visualize how best to do that. I would think he either wants his lines higher or lower on the piling, so I'll place my cord to where it wont interfere.

davidbrooks

at my marina i screwed in a large J hook so when i left i could just loop the electrical wires on it.  Then when you come back they are easy to grab and plug in.

JoeStang

I want to do something easy like that, but my slip isnt setup for me to do that. The midway piling is too far "forward" to hang it from, it'd basically be like 6'+ away from where the inlet is.