What wire do I use for boat wiring?

The ABYC recommends wire conductors of at least 16-AWG (gauge) for lights and other similar equipment. That’s minimum, and heavier gauge isn’t much more expensive — and generally no more trouble to install. We suggest you use 12- or 14-AWG to minimize your voltage drops, or more if the manufacturer suggests it.

What voltage is shore power?

120 volts
Shore power is typically 120 volts. In the US, 30 amp provides 3.6 kilowatts of energy for vessels under 60-feet long. The need for more energy for larger vessels led to the wide availability of 50 amp-shore power in the US and Caribbean.

What is the difference between marine grade wire and regular wire?

Beyond being tinned, marine cable is larger than say automotive cable at the same size. So, 6 AWG marine cable contains more copper than 6 AWG automotive cable. The more copper, the better the current carrying capacity of the cable. Marine cable also carries a pliable and durable PVC jacket.

Can I use regular wire on a boat?

In general, automotive wire can be used on boats, assuming that it is SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) J378, J1127 or J1128 rated, but it is not recommended. Marine-specific wire is unique in a few ways. Most importantly, marine wire is larger for a given gauge size, up to 12\% larger in some sizes.

What is a shore power plug?

” Shore Power ” is what you use when you plug your boat into the power source on the dock to transfer AC power to your boat. You do this to top up your batteries or to run any of the AC powered items on your boat. These could include a microwave, a hair dryer, power tools, a TV or even a toaster.

Do I need a breaker for shore power?

You don’t need a breaker or a fuse on your shore power line because the plug itself will be protected by a breaker.

What is a shore power converter?

A shorepower frequency converter is equipment that allows a ship to be powered by the port’s electrical grid, even though a ship may have a different operating voltage, which is typical for ships travelling internationally.

How many amps do I need for shore power?

Shore Power Amperage 15 amp is just your standard household circuit and will run a high powered device like a space heater or a small air conditioner, but only 1 high powered device can be run at a time. Wiring for a 30 amp plug is my choice as you can run, for the most part, whatever you like in a camper van.

What makes marine wire special?

Marine wire stranding is unique, the strands are much finer and each individual strand is tinned. The fine stranding makes the wire very flexible, allowing it to better survive in a moving, vibrating boat, while the tinned strands provide additional corrosion protection.

What size electrical wire do I need for my Boat?

You should use marine grade primary wire for this. This is sometimes a long wiring run on a boat. Plus these two conductors will carry the current of all your electrical loads combined, so they are typically fairly beefy cables. Even a small boat (3-5 loads) we’d recommend at least 12AWG wire for this.

What is a 30 amp shore power system for a boat?

Shore Power This article describes how to install a 30 Amp shore power system on a small boat. A 30 Amp 120 volt service gives enough power for battery charging, a receptacle or two, and a water heater, or maybe even a small air conditioner. Larger boats with multiple appliances and air conditioners probably would need to look at a 50 amp system.

What kind of power do you need for a boat dock?

Shore power cords. Your shore power system starts at the dock power pedestal. The conventional system used by mid-sized boats in your local marina combines two circuits with circuit breakers rated at 30A, two female receptacles, and a hinged lid to keep water off the connection.

What size power cord do I need for a shore plug?

These receptacles have a threaded ring that allows the shore power cord to connect securely and make a waterproof connection. The ideal companion to this outlet is a 30A, 50′ cord, by far the most common cord in the U.S.