Quick shore power question

[Simpo Two]

Having moved marinas, my shore power cable is now a few metres too short.

Cheapest option is to by another one and connect them together. But is it OK to have the connection just lying on the ground over winter, or will water get in and zap it?

[Mr Pointy]

What connectors are they? If they are IP65 Commando type then yes, you can leave it on the floor, provided it's made off correctly of course with the sealing glands in place. If the join uses IP44 type connectors then it's less advisable but in general wrapping some heavy plastic round them & taping it up will get you through.

[Simpo Two]

This kind - I know them as Ceeform: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284173610773

NB I see blue cables as well as orange - any difference (other than colour)?

Seems that the shorter cables are 2.5mm conductors but the long (20m) ones only 1.5mm - or am I not looking hard enough? And does it matter anyway just for charging three batteries?

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 22 October 16:03

[swanny71]

As above, if plugs/sockets are proper IP67 they should be fine in.
If they are the IP44 caravan type commando plug then they’ll need some weather protection.

We use this kinda stuff on any shore cable connections (even big 3 phase IP67 connections) if they are exposed during winter yard periods ‘just in case’.

Heavy weight ‘lay flat tubing’

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353852979925?hash=item5...

Cut a good length of the tubing, slide over one cable, make the connection, slide tubing back over the connection and then secure the open ends with a zip tie or two.

[swanny71]

Simpo Two said:

This kind - I know them as Ceeform: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284173610773

NB I see blue cables as well as orange - any difference (other than colour)?

Seems that the shorter cables are 2.5mm conductors but the long (20m) ones only 1.5mm - or am I not looking hard enough? And does it matter anyway just for charging three batteries?

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 22 October 16:03

In that case definitely get the some extra protection.

25m lead with 2.5mm conductors - you could make your own much cheaper.
https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Maypole/Mains-Extens...

Waterproof casing if you don’t want the fuss of making something up
https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Force-4/Waterproof-C...

[Mr Pointy]

That's an IP44 Commando, the usual camping/caravan type. The simplest thing would be to put the join in a waterproof box - there are loads on Amazon, you just need a biggish one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=waterproof+box+for+ou...

The blue cable is Artic grade - it remains flexible even in winter wheras the orange PVC stuff goes a bit stiff. For long term outdoor use Tough Rubber Sheathed (TRS) is a better cable but more expensive.

[Mr Pointy]

2.5mm extensions are available but they are rather more expensive:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/A1-ELECTRICS-A1ELECTRICS-...

Whether it's needed depends on how long the cable run is & what current you are drawing; 1.5mm will work but the volt drop will be higher.

The kit from Frorce 4 posted above looks good.

[Badda]

When we did this i bought the component parts and made the exact length of shore cable required and kept the previous one in a locker in case we ever moored bow to and needed a different length. I wouldn’t want a connection mid length personally, regardless of rating.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks all, very helpful replies. Would 1.5mm cable over a max of 20 metres be sufficient for keeping 3 batteries charged over winter, and powering a domestic vacuum cleaner? Any idea what the current limit would be?

[Mr Pointy]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks all, very helpful replies. Would 1.5mm cable over a max of 20 metres be sufficient for keeping 3 batteries charged over winter, and powering a domestic vacuum cleaner? Any idea what the current limit would be?

1.5mm will drop about 27mV per amp per meter so a 20m run will drop about 0.5v per amp pulled. If you drew 10A then you would drop only 5v & nothing connected would notice the difference (as long as the supply isn't already very low of course).

1.5mm cable is rated at 15A (so check the supplying breaker) & even if you pulled the maximum you would only drop 7.5v. Again you are subject to the supply voltage & if that is way down then you could have issues, but a 2.5mm cable isn't going to make a massive difference in that situation.

[Petrus1983]

I’ve just had shore power fitted to my boat for the first time and had to have custom cables made for it (having previously been told it couldn’t be done) - Ocean Electrics in Weymouth/Portland did a great job - could be worth giving them a buzz.

[Simpo Two]

Mr Pointy said:

stuff

15A should be fine, thanks. I could make the cable myself, if I had the cable and plug for each end, but assumed it would cost more than buying a ready-made one.

Petrus, why did you go for bespoke rather than off the shelf?

[gazzarose]

What connection has the boat end got? You can get replacement plugs for the boat end, or depending on the makeup of your existing lead the plug may be removeable so you can replace the cable for a longer one. I do it quite often with used boats taken in for part-ex where the previous owner had the boat stern to and only needed a 5m cable, but then the new owner is bow to so needs a 15m.

As a rule I fit 2.5mm Arctic blue cable. In theory you could draw 16A from the marina socket, so a bit much for 1.5, and for a 20m length the cost is neglegable (at least in the grand scheme of boat ownership!).

Depending on you boat useage and future plans, many of my customers will have 2 shore power leads made up. 1 the right length for their home berth so not a big bundle hanging about all the time, and a longer 1 for when visting other marinas when the shore power could be futher away.

[Simpo Two]

gazzarose said:

stuff

Thanks - all done - 20m of 2.5 cable And I'll keep the old 10m one for the next marina...

[Petrus1983]

Simpo Two said:

15A should be fine, thanks. I could make the cable myself, if I had the cable and plug for each end, but assumed it would cost more than buying a ready-made one.

Petrus, why did you go for bespoke rather than off the shelf?

It’s an Italian boat (Cranchi) and was already shore power enabled for Italy - but not for the UK as it turns out they’re different. This maybe incorrect but certainly the shore power cable from my dads boat wouldn’t work.

[gazzarose]

Simpo Two said:

gazzarose said:

stuff

Thanks - all done - 20m of 2.5 cable And I'll keep the old 10m one for the next marina...

No worries. Is it just blue plug/socket each end or is there a 'posher' on the boat end? If it's the posher type then, as with most boat things, the boat manufacturer will be buying in the shore power socket so you can usually buys extras.

[Simpo Two]

gazzarose said:

No worries. Is it just blue plug/socket each end or is there a 'posher' on the boat end? If it's the posher type then, as with most boat things, the boat manufacturer will be buying in the shore power socket so you can usually buys extras.

This is what I ordered, though it arrived with different-style plugs and sockets that have a big screw-in coupling like a giant hose fitting. Not sure if that makes them posh though! https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09GGC3YDW

The boat has a standard round 3-pin shore power socket.