Dock Power

Handymans342

Guys,
My 30 Amp breaker tripped to my shore power which of course killed all batteries. Would you believe i have not been on my boat for weeks even though its in my back yard! What I need is some kind of warning system that tells you the shore power is off. Anyone have any ideas?

Dream_Inn

hmmm, maybe something like isocket?  They even have the 3G that with a sim card (using like tracfone or something of little cost) and it would call your cell phone. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIUSUn7YdbA ) Or maybe an old phone with a power outage app?  Heck, if you just want something simple and visible, how about something with a back-up battery that sounds a horn or light?  Probably find something that typically turns on the sump pump for power outage?

rasbury

or you could just use your boat?

Cableguy Greg

Wire an outdoor light to the box that has your shore power connected to it.Wire the light on the same circuit as the shore power. You could use a LED bulb so it would draw next to nothing. It could be a red light that wouldn't be too bright, but noticeable from your house in the evenings. It could also serve as a light for your dock.

rasbury

ok smarty, my answer was still better @Cableguy Greg !

Handymans342

rasbury said:

or you could just use your boat?

When I retire Ras!

Handymans342

Dream_Inn said:

hmmm, maybe something like isocket?  They even have the 3G that with a sim card (using like tracfone or something of little cost) and it would call your cell phone. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIUSUn7YdbA ) Or maybe an old phone with a power outage app?  Heck, if you just want something simple and visible, how about something with a back-up battery that sounds a horn or light?  Probably find something that typically turns on the sump pump for power outage?

I was looking at that Dream. Funny, that guy looks like me. LOL

Handymans342

Cableguy Greg said:

Wire an outdoor light to the box that has your shore power connected to it.Wire the light on the same circuit as the shore power. You could use a LED bulb so it would draw next to nothing. It could be a red light that wouldn't be too bright, but noticeable from your house in the evenings. It could also serve as a light for your dock.

Greg, I will have to figure how to do that to a 30 AMP twistlock but I could drape a work light over the side plugged in to the outlet on the boat

Cableguy Greg

No need to drape a line from the boat, put the light right below your breaker panel. From the pictures you have posted before, it would be an easy job. A short piece of liquid tight, some wire and a vapor tight fixture with a red LED bulb. Here is a link to the fixture...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-150W-Incandescent-Utility-Vapor-Tight-Wall-Mount-Fixture-VW150I-M12/205507747

Handymans342

Greg, I thought of that but that means doubling up on the wires on the breaker, illegal. How about a 120V red indicator light mounted on the side of the twist lock outlet? Similar to a commercial motor starter?

rasbury

I thought you came to fl retired!

Cableguy Greg

Handymans342 said:

Greg, I thought of that but that means doubling up on the wires on the breaker, illegal. How about a 120V red indicator light mounted on the side of the twist lock outlet? Similar to a commercial motor starter?

That would also work.

raybo3

Put a 110 volt lamp with a LED bulb in the boat cabin. Power goes out the lamp shuts off. You dont see the light and you might realize the power went out.......... 

Handymans342

rasbury said:

I thought you came to fl retired!

How many times do I have to tell you, 10 more years!

randy56

My first thought was same as Ras, second was what caused breaker to trip?

Dream_Inn

Handymans342 said:

rasbury said:

I thought you came to fl retired!

How many times do I have to tell you, 10 more years!

I guess we'll be retiring at the same time!  12 more would be my absolute max!

Handymans342

randy56 said:

My first thought was same as Ras, second was what caused breaker to trip?

Yes, #1 priority to find that. I used to have a 30 amp GFI and that tripped a lot. Changed to a regular breaker and that has held until recently. I will start looking at the wires in the back of the shore hookup and then? 

Handymans342

Cableguy Greg said:

Handymans342 said:

Greg, I thought of that but that means doubling up on the wires on the breaker, illegal. How about a 120V red indicator light mounted on the side of the twist lock outlet? Similar to a commercial motor starter?

That would also work.

I ordered 2 Red LED 120 Volt indicator lights. One for the twist lock box and one for the panel. 

Liberty44140

raybo3 said:

Put a 110 volt lamp with a LED bulb in the boat cabin. Power goes out the lamp shuts off. You dont see the light and you might realize the power went out.......... 

this is exactly what I was thinking in reading through this thread. Great cheap option since your boat is out back. 

Handymans342

raybo3 said:

Put a 110 volt lamp with a LED bulb in the boat cabin. Power goes out the lamp shuts off. You dont see the light and you might realize the power went out.......... 

You could not see that in the day light.

LaRea

There are plenty of products that will contact you by email or text message in the event of a power failure.  

raybo3

Handymans342 said:

raybo3 said:

Put a 110 volt lamp with a LED bulb in the boat cabin. Power goes out the lamp shuts off. You dont see the light and you might realize the power went out.......... 

You could not see that in the day light.

I keep a lamp on my boat (in the water) all the time. Day or night I can tell if the lamp is on. Windows are tinted.......

Handymans342

LaRea said:

There are plenty of products that will contact you by email or text message in the event of a power failure.  

Links please

LaRea

Start here:

http://www.diycontrols.com/c-191-power-outage-alerts.aspx

LaRea

This one looks pretty good if you don't mind the price.
www.isocket3g.com 

randy56

@Handymans342, Can you remember when we had to get up and change the channel on the TV.  it's only 35 ft to your boat from your back door, come on man!
I'm retiring in 5 years, at such time i will provide a boat check service, I will test drive your boat once a month, 50 to 100 mile run,  keep it full of fuel, oil, check all systems, you must keep fridge full of bud lite, and I need your credit card on file for fuel.  Its ok we will bring our own snack's and sandwiches, you do not have to provide them. We will even overnite on your boat once a month for a small additional fee. 

reneechris14

Randy56 he will leave the lite on for you.

Handymans342

You guys have more money than brains

randy56

In all seriousness It take's a lot to trip a 30 amp breaker, trying imagination what all you had running, Fridge maybe, battrie charger,  no heat or ac. something must have failed, you have a short, loose wire, bad connection, or you got water in your electrical system somewhere.

Handymans342

No water. No rain. Cover

raybo3

Maybe little critters ate your wire.............. Just say'n.....