Shorepower/ batter charger question/ with boat laid up for winter storage

[Fortunate One]

My boat is presently laid up indoors for winter storage. I have a 50 amp shore power service on the boat. The boat is in close proximity to 120 volt conventional outlets.

I'd like to operate the on board battery chargers from time to time over the next few months as I work on the boat.

Is there an adapter made that would plug into the 50 amp plug on the boat that would allow me to plug that into a heavy gauge household extension cord?

[54bullwinkle]

There is no connector for that. Boat neds 50A 240V

Land based wiring will be inadequate.

[jimbo62]

there are some specific adaptors that will allow you to take a standard 120v cord and plug in. they will only allow you to use limited amperage or you will keep tripping breakers. a battery charge should be fine. I bought one last year at West Marine. it worked fine for just the charger.

[jimbo62]

to clarify, the adaptor plugs into a receptacle in the cockpit that shore power would otherwise plug into - it doesnt attach to the yellow cord.

[Fortunate One]

I thought there had to be something to allow me to just run the battery charger. I'll check the West marine site. Thanks.

[54bullwinkle]

I thought there had to be something to allow me to just run the battery charger. I'll check the West marine site. Thanks.

Check the voltage req for your batt charger. They usually run off 240V side of your panel.

[Russell A. Jost]

My boat is presently laid up indoors for winter storage. I have a 50 amp shore power service on the boat. The boat is in close proximity to 120 volt conventional outlets.

I'd like to operate the on board battery chargers from time to time over the next few months as I work on the boat.

Is there an adapter made that would plug into the 50 amp plug on the boat that would allow me to plug that into a heavy gauge household extension cord?

FO the easiest way and the least expensive way is to make up your own extension cord. Take your heavy gage household extension cord and cut the female end off. Go to electrical supply house and buy a 50 amp plug that matches the boat inlet. Install 50amp plug on the extension cord and plug in. Note; if your boat is 120/240 volt service then only one half of your panel will be energized. If it is not the right half then switch the hot lead in the plug to the other hot terminal. Any good electrician in your area should have no problem with this hook up. PS it would not be a good idea to turn on more than your battery charger.

[hubris 1]

Im a carpenter, not a sparky. If you want to possibly burn down the boat and the shed its in.....STOP! You can not run 50 amps through an extension cord. I agree, you can just run the chargers but, lets say some guy gets on your boat to show it to his girlfriend, and turns everything on.





If you do it that way, I would be there when its charging, and shut it off when you leave. Remove the cord and put it away. Accidents, Crashes, Mishaps.......are a series of mistakes that all come together to create the "moment" . You have just moved the first piece into place.

[Russell A. Jost]

Here is a link to Hubbell Marine adaptors www.hubbell-wiring.com/Marine/MarineCatalog.aspx

Good luck PS page 25 of the catalog

[Judith A]

If the boat is 240V your not going to find adapter it would be best to make your own cord and you would have to figure out which leg chargers are on like stated above.
If boat is 120V you could use Marinco adapter #115A on extension cord.
There aren't many Good household extension cords out there anymore make sure its at least 12 Gauge wire

Mark