Shore power plug
 

I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

--

Roger Long

Hello Roger,

You can get a MARINCO 30 Amp plug for something like $16 at
West Marine. Still not cheap, but you won't do a whole lot
better at Home Depot. Whatever you do, please use caution.

Good luck.

Chuck

Roger Long wrote:
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

Ah Roger! - the wonders of the cordless drill!

It is certainly not limited to marine use. The plug you want is either a
NEMA L10-30 (3-wire) or NEMA L14-30 (4-wire). These are both 120v or 240v.
You can connect this plug to any cord you wish, as long as you are willing
to accept the responsibility of what could happen in the event of a short or
overload. If you use a relatively short (25-50') #12 weather-resistant cord
in good condition, you need only worry about the condition of the tool
you're using, as the conductors are quite capable of handling the current
required to trip a 30A breaker before fire or damage. Also, don't fail to
ascertain whether the receptacle is offering 120 or 240 volts; the
configuration could be either.
Be prepared to spend $25 for the plug . . .

Padeen

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

--

Roger Long

The marine made all these dock corners out of 1/4" steel plate. I
think the cordless drill that will punch 20 - 30 holes in that stuff
will cost a lot more than the dongle.

--

Roger Long



wrote in message
oups.com...
Ah Roger! - the wonders of the cordless drill!

I plan to use an abundance of caution. First thing the cord is going
into is a GFI.

--

Roger Long



Whatever you do, please use caution.

The receptacles and plugs are not unique to marine environments. However,
they are not particularly cheap no matter where you buy one. For a one-off
deal, I'd use a battery tool or jury rig anything that will work. This is OK
while you are nearby, but do not leave such a mess wired in as your standard
shore power adapter.

A GFI will better protect you as the user of the tool attached to the line,
but offers no additional protection to the line or boat. So for a permanent
installation, definitely think about the GFI. Of course the battery tool
eliminates the shock hazard entirely.

BS

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50 foot
cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become the
dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a plug of
the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old extension cord?

--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

I'm a bit surprised its that expansive, but for the future, try this:
keep your eyes open for a used cord, perhaps damaged or too short.
(I have a 25 footer I got used for $20.) Then cut out the middle and
put appropriate male and female 15 Amp connectors on. You'll have
two dongles, and you'll find a use for each sooner or later.

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50 foot
cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Volume.

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become the
dongle when it gets here.

Use a battery operated drill.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a plug of
the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old extension cord?

Yes, It is a standard 30A plug. No big deal.

--

Roger Long

We use a cordless drill to drill into SS tubing all the time. No big deal.
Buying a drill just for this project is silly. Anyway, a cordless drill
should
be pretty much standard equipment on any serious boat or any boat
owner.

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
The marine made all these dock corners out of 1/4" steel plate. I think
the cordless drill that will punch 20 - 30 holes in that stuff will cost a
lot more than the dongle.

--

Roger Long



wrote in message
oups.com...
Ah Roger! - the wonders of the cordless drill!

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50 foot
cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become the
dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a plug of
the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old extension cord?

--

Roger Long

You didn't specify so I would guess that it wasn't a large chain like WM or
Boat/US? I like to support the local store, but I don't like to spend $10-20
extra in the process.

http://tinylink.com/?EmBgx6YIGU

I bought two adapters a couple of years ago, one a straight adapter to go
from dockside to 3 prong domestic, the other a pigtail to do the same on the
boat. Didn't spend $60 for either. Someone else suggested a cordless,
preferably 18v, if you have a hard time swallowing the cost think about the
hassle of shlepping extension cords around the boat, or your house, for that
matter. BTW, I bought my adapters to use shore power at the yard where I
store my boat (don't tell) and to hook my portable generator up to my boat
shore power inlet. A cordless drill-even a 14v-is real handy to have on the
boat.

John Cairns

I've been soured on cordless tools by my experience with screw
drivers. They always seem to feep out about 3/4 of the way through
the job. Whenever I go to buy new batteries, they tell me that those
batteries have now been discontinued and I'll have to buy a whole new
screwdriver, charger, and battery set. Now, you can't even get a
convenient size with separate batteries.

Sounds like the larger cordless tools may be better. Maybe it 's time
to cut the cord.

--

Roger Long

I've had great luck with Makita.
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I've been soured on cordless tools by my experience with screw drivers.
They always seem to feep out about 3/4 of the way through the job.
Whenever I go to buy new batteries, they tell me that those batteries have
now been discontinued and I'll have to buy a whole new screwdriver,
charger, and battery set. Now, you can't even get a convenient size with
separate batteries.

Sounds like the larger cordless tools may be better. Maybe it 's time to
cut the cord.

--

Roger Long

Not at our marina! Buy the good cord. If you own a boat, you can afford
it.
G
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50 foot
cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become the
dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a plug of
the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old extension cord?

--

Roger Long

I'll second the Makita recommendation. I've a Makita 9.6 volt drill I've
been using at home and at work for 15 years. I've had to buy new batteries
several times and replace the switch once. While the design voltage and
type (NiCad vs. Nickel Metal Hydride? etc.) of batteries have changed over
the years, Makita has continued to make batteries for my drill and has
allowed for backwards compatibility on their chargers. In other words I can
walk up to any Makita charger that is the same vintage as mine or any newer
model charger and put my old battery in it and it will fit, set to the
correct voltage and type and charge it. Very handy.
--
Ken Heaton & Anne Tobin
Cape Breton Island, Canada
kenheaton AT ess wye dee DOT eastlink DOT ca

"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in message
...
I've had great luck with Makita.
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I've been soured on cordless tools by my experience with screw drivers.
They always seem to feep out about 3/4 of the way through the job.
Whenever I go to buy new batteries, they tell me that those batteries
have
now been discontinued and I'll have to buy a whole new screwdriver,
charger, and battery set. Now, you can't even get a convenient size
with
separate batteries.

Sounds like the larger cordless tools may be better. Maybe it 's time
to
cut the cord.

--

Roger Long

On Sun, 01 May 2005 18:05:18 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

Hmm...you received lotsa responses to your note, posted only this
afternoon of Mayday. I was sympathetic to Padeen's note (though I
could not trace the plug he advised); and I liked the portable drill
suggestions - Makita is towards the tradesman end of the choices here.

Here's what I suggest.
1) Buy an outdoors 50 ft extension from Walmart - that's $10

2) look at the three pin NEMA configurations he
http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm

Your note suggests that L5-30P (120V 30Amp Plug)
is the one you want. They are offered for around $5.

You can get this from a big hardware store - though this won't be a
waterproof type, so you cannot allow it to be splashed.

Cut off the moulded plug, and fix the L5-30P (if that's the one)

Be VERY sure its not a 250 volt supply you are hooking to!

After all this, remember that even if you buy the $60 real McCoy
cable, you won't be protected if you dip the live drill in the water,
no more than with the $15 approach mentioned above.
Take ca the risk is yours.

Brian Whatcott Altus, OK

"G&G" wrote in message
...
Not at our marina! Buy the good cord. If you own a boat, you can
afford it.

Don't worry. I'm a good neighbor and as worried about the electrical
environment as the next guy. When my boat gets here on the truck from
MI, it will have a proper shore power cord and I'll run everything
from that. I'm just looking for a quick and cheap way to drill some
holes in the dock in the next few days to prepare for its arrival.
There aren't even any boats out there yet.

--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:

Don't worry. I'm a good neighbor and as worried about the electrical
environment as the next guy. When my boat gets here on the truck from
MI, it will have a proper shore power cord and I'll run everything
from that. I'm just looking for a quick and cheap way to drill some
holes in the dock in the next few days to prepare for its arrival.
There aren't even any boats out there yet.


I'm assuming you checked around to see if you could borrow what you need
for a few hours.
Around here, most boaters are helpful if possible.

Brian, the L10-30 is a dual voltage (125/250) 3-prong, and the L14-30 is a
dual voltage 4-prong. Table accessed he
www.stayonline.com/reference/nema_twistlock.asp It's nice to know there are
sources that sell them cheaper than the electrical supply houses that I'm
used to dealing with.
Padeen

"Brian Whatcott" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 01 May 2005 18:05:18 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

I just returned in shock (as usual) from the marine store. I need to
install some fenders on our marina dock before the boat arrives. The
little dongle to let me plug a regular extension cord into the 30 amp
socket so I can use my electric drill is SIXTY BUCKS! How come a 50
foot cord with an even larger 30 amp female on the end is only fifty?

Anyway, I just need to use this thing once since the boat will become
the dongle when it gets here.

Is the 30 amp, three prong plug, a marine only item or can I get a
plug of the same kind at Home Depot and just wire it on to an old
extension cord?

Hmm...you received lotsa responses to your note, posted only this
afternoon of Mayday. I was sympathetic to Padeen's note (though I
could not trace the plug he advised); and I liked the portable drill
suggestions - Makita is towards the tradesman end of the choices here.

Here's what I suggest.
1) Buy an outdoors 50 ft extension from Walmart - that's $10

2) look at the three pin NEMA configurations he
http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm

Your note suggests that L5-30P (120V 30Amp Plug)
is the one you want. They are offered for around $5.

You can get this from a big hardware store - though this won't be a
waterproof type, so you cannot allow it to be splashed.

Cut off the moulded plug, and fix the L5-30P (if that's the one)

Be VERY sure its not a 250 volt supply you are hooking to!

After all this, remember that even if you buy the $60 real McCoy
cable, you won't be protected if you dip the live drill in the water,
no more than with the $15 approach mentioned above.
Take ca the risk is yours.

Brian Whatcott Altus, OK