T&T: Electrical Issues - Solved?

[Peter Bennett]

A poor relay contact in the GFCI outlet could cause this problem for
things plugged into the GFCI outlet, and for other outlets connected
to its "load" terminals.  (Anything connected to the GFCI "load"
terminals should go off when the GFCI is tripped)  However, I wouldn't
expect the stove to be connected to the load side of the GFCI, and in
any case, a poor contact in the GFCI would be there regardless of the
AC source.

I strongly suggest that you (or better, a qualified electrician)
trace your AC wiring, and draw up a proper wiring diagram for it -
this process, if done properly, should discover whatever strange thing
caused your problem.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 4:58:06 PM, Greg wrote:

GB> You may all recall that I asked several months ago about an electrical
GB> problem I was having with my stove.  I described the issue as follows:

GB> ----
GB> When we are on shore power (50A), we get enough power to power
GB> everything on the boat (including dual air conditioners at the same
GB> time) except the electric stove.  The electric stove will sort of power
GB> on, but the burners never get very hot and the LED "On" light does not
GB> light.  This is the first marina where we have had this issue.  The
GB> stove has worked fine in other marinas on shore power.  If I switch to
GB> generator power, the stove works just fine.  I have tried two shore
GB> side outlets (both in the same box) and both inlets on the boat (one on
GB> each side).  There are no other 50A shore side boxes close enough to
GB> reach.  My multimeter doesn't have prongs long enough to measure
GB> voltage at the box.  I'm not sure what else to test.
GB> ----

GB> After I posted that note I got several people offering help.  Nothing
GB> worked.  I did find out some additional information.  The entire port
GB> side of the boat was affected.  My wife's hair dryer would not work
GB> well on the port side outlets, but worked fine on the starboard side
GB> outlets.     However, the port side outlets would power small loads
GB> like clock radios, my laptop power supply and the like without
GB> problems.  I tested the shore side power at multiple marinas with the
GB> same results.  I tested the shore side power with dual 30A power cords
GB> as well as the 50A with the same problems.  I poked around in the power
GB> panel with my multimeter and could not find anything out of spec.

GB> I finally broke down and decided to hire someone to take a look.  We
GB> made it to Dog River marina and I described the problem with the marina
GB> office.  One of their workers asked me to check all of my GFCI outlets
GB> on the port side.  I thought that was a little weird, but I came back
GB> to the boat and looked at the GFCI outlet in the head.  It appeared
GB> normal, but we hit the TEST and RESET buttons anyway.  I can't believe
GB> it but it worked.  The stove works fine now.  The hair dryer works fine
GB> now.  

GB> Can someone help me understand what happened?  Why were just the larger
GB> loads affected?  Why did everything work fine with the generator
GB> running?  I'm still baffled, but at least things work now.

GB> Thanks...
GB> Greg...
GB> ----
GB> CHARLIE RAY
GB> 1977 Thompson Trawler 44'
GB> currently at Dog River Marina - Mobile, AL
GB>  




-- 
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter 
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca