dock box A/C mystery
 

I've recently had an interesting, perplexing, and disturbing situation come
up. I connect my boat in the usual way to the dock box supplied A/C. It can
easily sit for a week (without me visiting) or more during the colder months
here, especially during the holiday season between late November and early
January.

I believe it's a 20 am circuit. In any case, I have very modest A/C
requirements when I'm not on the boat, namely, maintaing the two bilge pumps
and keeping the two batteries (starting and house) topped up. I have a
newish 30 amp rated cord, and the charger is very new, as well as the
batteries. Haven't had any problems aboard, as far as circuit tripping or
even a fuse popping. I tested both bilge pumps, and they work fine, dumping
the small amount of water without a problem.

In the last month, I've arrived at the dock to find that the dock box switch
in the off position three times. The first time I chalked it up to me
forgetting to switch it on when I arrived back at the slip. The second time
to my neighbor perhaps switching it off by mistake. However, the third time
I did some checking. My neighbor didn't do it (hasn't been to his boat in
over a month), the marina hasn't been working on the docks (check with the
maintenance guy), and I haven't been there to forget (unless I forgot going,
which is unlikely LOL).

When I spoke with the maintenance guy on the phone, he went down to take a
look, then tried to claim that it was an old cord (it's less than two years
old, shows practically no weather wear, and the terminals look fine - no
charring/pitting - on either end). The boat connection is secure with a ring
lock, so none of that flies. I'm fairly certain that no one else who has a
boat has even been around this last month, except for possibly the rich guy
on the end tie who rarely leaves the dock.

So, I'm left with a couple of possibilities... either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or something
in the box is tripping the switch. Am I missing something? Could it be
something else?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

dock box A/C mystery
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
easolutions...
I've recently had an interesting, perplexing, and disturbing situation
come up. I connect my boat in the usual way to the dock box supplied A/C.
It can easily sit for a week (without me visiting) or more during the
colder months here, especially during the holiday season between late
November and early January.

I believe it's a 20 am circuit. In any case, I have very modest A/C
requirements when I'm not on the boat, namely, maintaing the two bilge
pumps and keeping the two batteries (starting and house) topped up. I have
a newish 30 amp rated cord, and the charger is very new, as well as the
batteries. Haven't had any problems aboard, as far as circuit tripping or
even a fuse popping. I tested both bilge pumps, and they work fine,
dumping the small amount of water without a problem.

In the last month, I've arrived at the dock to find that the dock box
switch in the off position three times. The first time I chalked it up to
me forgetting to switch it on when I arrived back at the slip. The second
time to my neighbor perhaps switching it off by mistake. However, the
third time I did some checking. My neighbor didn't do it (hasn't been to
his boat in over a month), the marina hasn't been working on the docks
(check with the maintenance guy), and I haven't been there to forget
(unless I forgot going, which is unlikely LOL).

When I spoke with the maintenance guy on the phone, he went down to take a
look, then tried to claim that it was an old cord (it's less than two
years old, shows practically no weather wear, and the terminals look
fine - no charring/pitting - on either end). The boat connection is secure
with a ring lock, so none of that flies. I'm fairly certain that no one
else who has a boat has even been around this last month, except for
possibly the rich guy on the end tie who rarely leaves the dock.

So, I'm left with a couple of possibilities... either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or
something in the box is tripping the switch. Am I missing something? Could
it be something else?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




I would suspect a bad circuit breaker at the dock.

dock box A/C mystery
 

Capt. JG wrote:

So, I'm left with a couple of possibilities... either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or something
in the box is tripping the switch. Am I missing something? Could it be
something else?


If the breaker trips, it should do so in a fashion that indicates a
trip,, i.e. the handle is only 3/4 or 1/2 way over, you have to move it
to "off" before closing it. If it's tripped manually than it will be at
the "off" position.

Cheers
Martin

dock box A/C mystery
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
...

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
easolutions...
I've recently had an interesting, perplexing, and disturbing situation
come up. I connect my boat in the usual way to the dock box supplied A/C.
It can easily sit for a week (without me visiting) or more during the
colder months here, especially during the holiday season between late
November and early January.

I believe it's a 20 am circuit. In any case, I have very modest A/C
requirements when I'm not on the boat, namely, maintaing the two bilge
pumps and keeping the two batteries (starting and house) topped up. I
have a newish 30 amp rated cord, and the charger is very new, as well as
the batteries. Haven't had any problems aboard, as far as circuit
tripping or even a fuse popping. I tested both bilge pumps, and they work
fine, dumping the small amount of water without a problem.

In the last month, I've arrived at the dock to find that the dock box
switch in the off position three times. The first time I chalked it up to
me forgetting to switch it on when I arrived back at the slip. The second
time to my neighbor perhaps switching it off by mistake. However, the
third time I did some checking. My neighbor didn't do it (hasn't been to
his boat in over a month), the marina hasn't been working on the docks
(check with the maintenance guy), and I haven't been there to forget
(unless I forgot going, which is unlikely LOL).

When I spoke with the maintenance guy on the phone, he went down to take
a look, then tried to claim that it was an old cord (it's less than two
years old, shows practically no weather wear, and the terminals look
fine - no charring/pitting - on either end). The boat connection is
secure with a ring lock, so none of that flies. I'm fairly certain that
no one else who has a boat has even been around this last month, except
for possibly the rich guy on the end tie who rarely leaves the dock.

So, I'm left with a couple of possibilities... either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or
something in the box is tripping the switch. Am I missing something?
Could it be something else?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




I would suspect a bad circuit breaker at the dock.



This is what I thought, but see Marty's post.. it's in the fully off
position. :(


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

dock box A/C mystery
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
easolutions...

This is what I thought, but see Marty's post.. it's in the fully off
position. :(


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Ya, I did see Marty's post and he may be right. I haven't seen breakers trip
less than all the way, though.

dock box A/C mystery
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in
easolutions:

either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or
something in the box is tripping the switch

When a breaker trips from overcurrent, it needs to be "reset" by pushing it
into the off position, or pushing a popout button on some breakers.

You talk as if the breaker has just been switched off as you said nothing
about having to reset the breaker before turning it on.

So, I'm thinking deliberately turning it off...saving the marina $$$, a
motivation unto itself.

To turn the breaker off requires a finger to push on one side of the
breaker toggle handle. Coat that side with greasepencil lightly so it's
not very evident. Make the coat smooth so we can see that fingerprint of
the SOB that's flipping the breaker on you. That will let use at least see
"SOMEONE" is flipping it off.

Office supply places also have a permanent staining red ink that won't wash
off. It's available in non-drying printer's ink like they put on a press
with a roller. It takes months to "dry". You could coat the toggle with
that then casually watch marina people's fingers for the indelible red
stain....

dock box A/C mystery
 

"Larry" wrote in message
...
"Capt. JG" wrote in
easolutions:

either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or
something in the box is tripping the switch

When a breaker trips from overcurrent, it needs to be "reset" by pushing
it
into the off position, or pushing a popout button on some breakers.

You talk as if the breaker has just been switched off as you said nothing
about having to reset the breaker before turning it on.

Yeah, there was no resetting. It's either on or off, and the maint. guy
mentioned the "possibility" of it tripping. I think it's bs.


So, I'm thinking deliberately turning it off...saving the marina $$$, a
motivation unto itself.

They have no motivation, as far as my boat is concerned. The guy across the
walk from me is power hog many times over by comparison.


To turn the breaker off requires a finger to push on one side of the
breaker toggle handle. Coat that side with greasepencil lightly so it's
not very evident. Make the coat smooth so we can see that fingerprint of
the SOB that's flipping the breaker on you. That will let use at least
see
"SOMEONE" is flipping it off.

Office supply places also have a permanent staining red ink that won't
wash
off. It's available in non-drying printer's ink like they put on a press
with a roller. It takes months to "dry". You could coat the toggle with
that then casually watch marina people's fingers for the indelible red
stain....


I would do this, but I'll just end up with a red finger. LOL


I was thinking of getting a lock for the flip up cover, but I don't think
the marina would like that too much. I'm going to talk to my neighbor and
see if I can use his A/C connection for a while. He doesn't have anything
plugged in anyway. His switch was on when I got there... just mine was off.

For the next couple of weeks, I asked the maint. guy to be kind enough to
check it from time to time, which he agreed to do. They don't have much
interest in having someone's bilge pump fail after a rain and end up with a
boat on the bottom.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

dock box A/C mystery
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
easolutions...

This is what I thought, but see Marty's post.. it's in the fully off
position. :(


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Ya, I did see Marty's post and he may be right. I haven't seen breakers
trip less than all the way, though.



Neither have I, although a weak/old one might fool you. At least that's been
the case at the house in the past... well, it _looked_ like it was on, but
it wasn't.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

dock box A/C mystery
 

Larry wrote:

To turn the breaker off requires a finger to push on one side of the
breaker toggle handle. Coat that side with greasepencil lightly so it's
not very evident. Make the coat smooth so we can see that fingerprint of
the SOB that's flipping the breaker on you. That will let use at least see
"SOMEONE" is flipping it off.

Office supply places also have a permanent staining red ink that won't wash
off. It's available in non-drying printer's ink like they put on a press
with a roller. It takes months to "dry". You could coat the toggle with
that then casually watch marina people's fingers for the indelible red
stain....

Larry, you are a devious son-of-a-bitch! :-)

Cheers
Martin

dock box A/C mystery
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
easolutions...
"Larry" wrote in message
...
"Capt. JG" wrote in
easolutions:

either someone has been
deliberately turning off the A/C (not necessarily maliciously) or
something in the box is tripping the switch

When a breaker trips from overcurrent, it needs to be "reset" by pushing
it
into the off position, or pushing a popout button on some breakers.

You talk as if the breaker has just been switched off as you said nothing
about having to reset the breaker before turning it on.

Yeah, there was no resetting. It's either on or off, and the maint. guy
mentioned the "possibility" of it tripping. I think it's bs.


So, I'm thinking deliberately turning it off...saving the marina $$$, a
motivation unto itself.

They have no motivation, as far as my boat is concerned. The guy across
the walk from me is power hog many times over by comparison.


To turn the breaker off requires a finger to push on one side of the
breaker toggle handle. Coat that side with greasepencil lightly so it's
not very evident. Make the coat smooth so we can see that fingerprint of
the SOB that's flipping the breaker on you. That will let use at least
see
"SOMEONE" is flipping it off.

Office supply places also have a permanent staining red ink that won't
wash
off. It's available in non-drying printer's ink like they put on a press
with a roller. It takes months to "dry". You could coat the toggle with
that then casually watch marina people's fingers for the indelible red
stain....


I would do this, but I'll just end up with a red finger. LOL


I was thinking of getting a lock for the flip up cover, but I don't think
the marina would like that too much. I'm going to talk to my neighbor and
see if I can use his A/C connection for a while. He doesn't have anything
plugged in anyway. His switch was on when I got there... just mine was
off.

For the next couple of weeks, I asked the maint. guy to be kind enough to
check it from time to time, which he agreed to do. They don't have much
interest in having someone's bilge pump fail after a rain and end up with
a boat on the bottom.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




You can't lock the breaker because it's probably against the law - either
firecode or NEC (National Electrical Code). Do you have a GFI circuit?
Sometimes they go when a stray ground current appears. Also check to see if
the polarity of your circuit and any of your neighbors are reversed. You can
do that with one of these:

http://shopping.msn.com/prices/3-led...0v-outlet-5-15

They're inexpensive and handy in the home.

You can get the cord checked with something called a Megger -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megger

One may be available at the marine radio place nearby.

If it's none of them then replace the breaker. It costs about $15 bucks and
plugs in.

If it's not that then someone is throwing your breaker and it's probably
someone who doesn't like you for whatever reason. You haven't gotten them
****ed at you at the marina too, have you? Is anyone from SEA docked near
you?

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Admiral Momsen