T&T: Hot shore power connections

[Peter Bennett]

Sunday, March 23, 2008, 7:09:36 PM, Trawler336 wrote:

Tac> Ahoy Scott & List,

Tac> The following information is from Marinco  marine power cord/plug company and
Tac> VERY PERSONAL OBSERVATION:   Please  allow me to explain.

<snippage>

Tac> The solution  is a Monthly inspection of each of the 4 connections, remove
Tac> the cord, use an  emery board the clean the internal "clips", sand the prongs on
Tac> all surfaces,  spray with circuit cleaner.  Make periodic I/R temperature
Tac> measurements to  determine when to replace the receptacles and/or the plugs.

Marine grade shore power connectors have a corrosion-resistant plating
on the contacts, so I would be be very reluctant to use an abrasive
such as emery board on them, as that could remove the plating, leading
to more and better corrosion. Also, using an emery board on the female
connector could spread the contacts, reducing the contact pressure and
increasing the possibility of a poor connection. I would stick to
using an anti-corrosion spray, and twisting the connector back and
forth a couple of times each time you plug it in, to wipe off any dirt
or corrosion.


Tac> Ciao Capt. Joe Guarino
Tac> KK 3673

Tac> In a message dated 3/23/2008 4:39:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight  Time, 
Tac> scottebulger at gmail.com writes:

Tac> Is there a way I can determine if I'm at risk of the connector becoming  so
Tac> hot it could start a fire? 
Tac>  





-- 
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