Utilize shore power or extension cords from house?

A

ATPNW

Member
Hi all,
I am wondering which option is best here. Currently I am running two extension cords to the boat from my house. 1 extension cord for the trickle charger, and 1 for the dehumidifier. I recently came across a marine shore power pigtail adapter, I am thinking I can run one extension cord to this and use the boats Guest 2610 charger and then run the dehumidifier from the boats GFCI. By using the shore power option I can cut down on the extension cords I am using, but I am wondering if there are any drawbacks or something I need to be aware of? The terminals on the boats shore power appear clear/clean. This is our first boat with shore power.

Thanks,
 
Which is best for long-term maintenance of the battery - the trickle charger or the Guest charger? I don’t know the answer, but that’s the question I would ask.
 
Are you using the boat much currently? I use one extension cord for a small 100w heater/dehumidifier and have the battery inside. I make sure they are full before I store them, charge them once mid winter just for the kick of it - they normally hit full within hours with the trickle charger - then once more before I put them back on the boat in the spring. It can get pretty cold here during the winter otherwise i'm not sure I will pull them out of the boat. If you are not using the boat, you probably don't need to keep the trickle charger on all the time, once a mount for a day should be plenty. Also, I think it is better for the battery.

They are some here with a lot more knowledge then me that should pitch in , listen to them first.

Knowing what kind of battery you have might be helpful info to have.
 
C-Wolfe":7snh51qt said:
Are you using the boat much currently? I use one extension cord for a small 100w heater/dehumidifier and have the battery inside. I make sure they are full before I store them, charge them once mid winter just for the kick of it - they normally hit full within hours with the trickle charger - then once more before I put them back on the boat in the spring. It can get pretty cold here during the winter otherwise i'm not sure I will pull them out of the boat. If you are not using the boat, you probably don't need to keep the trickle charger on all the time, once a mount for a day should be plenty. Also, I think it is better for the battery.

They are some here with a lot more knowledge then me that should pitch in , listen to them first.

Knowing what kind of battery you have might be helpful info to have.
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Ive used the boat twice since the end of September. Typically during the winter months here in WA, I don’t see myself using it more than once a month Oct-March. The reason this got me thinking of a different way to do it was it was such a hassle trying to fish one of the extension cords under the gunnel and through the bulkhead to power the dehumidifier/heater. This is the battery trickle charger I am currently using here. I have two group 27 Interstate batteries.
 
I always connect the boat to my house using an extension cord and an adapter for the shore power inlet. Then I can use the normal boat AC facilities (battery charger, aircon, outlets, etc.). One cord for everything.
 
I would not use the boat's Guest 2610 as a "trickle charger". The NOCO you are using is a smart charger, plus desulfator. It can be left on full time--the Guest--not.

It is OK to use an extension cored to the adaptor. Just don't pull more current that the cord is rated for: A #12 extension cord is unusual, and # 10 is very rare. Many are 16 or 14 and not rated for much power (depending on the length).

Be sure that the connection to the fitting at the boat is secure, and cannot wiggle. If there is a plastic ring screw around the plug, use it to secure the adaptor and cord to the outlet.

I am not a big fan of using temporary chargers, but the NOCO is a good unit. In the long haul, it will pay (in better battery life) to use a smart charger.
 
There is nothing wrong with a good 10/12 gauge extension cord, but plenty wrong with a crappy light duty one - especially when somebody is using one with my 600 dollar radial arm saw. Yikes! Anyway, I have found that most power convertors or battery chargers provide too much power to a regular 12 volt FLA battery if left plugged in for extended amounts of time. Commercial 6 volts seem to be more tolerant of this in my personal experience. But with either, it's not a best practice to leave them hooked up all the time. A good smart charger that turns itself off and will remain in standby - those are fine. I have one, but even then, I have a hard time leaving it on for no good reason.
 
Just remember that the outlet from the house should be on a 15 (or maybe 20) amp breaker. 12ga extension cords are rated for 20 amps and you can get them at HomeDepot, Walmart, Amazon, and other places too.
 
The NOCO charger you are using is a good full time charger. It is "Smart" and varies the charge according to ambient temp and it also disulfates your battery when needed. Stick with it. Run one adequately sized extension cord to that charger via a 2 or 3 way plug, then run another adequately sized cord through that little mouse hole under the stbd cowl, and run your dehumidifier. I have a short cord, that is 10 wire that I leave one end of the plug on the outside of that hole and the other end (it's about 6 feet long) under the sink to run my dehumidifiers (2) inside. That cord just gets pulled right up tight to the hole when unplugged and not in use.

My batteries are charged with a pair of BatteryMinder units, that do the same as your NOCO. The boat stays plugged in to that system anytime it is home in the barn. I have been using BatteryMinder brand "trickle" charges for about 12 years now. They extend the battery useful life by at least 2 years. I keep the motorcycle and truck plugged in when not using too, or when I'm gone in the truck, the care is plugged in.

Make sure that your extension cord wire size is right for the load you are carrying.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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My batteries are charged with a pair of BatteryMinder units,
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Harvey, you might clarify which Battery Minder you use (also similar Battery Tender units). If I were leaving similar units full time on a boat, I would not use the battery terminal clamps. I would convert over to a terminal ring fitting and put it on the terminal post of the battery. There is also a potential fusing issue. I don't believe that the small "battery Minder" is fused or circuit breaker at its output, or near the battery. It might be appropriate to fuse the lead. Also the leads are not marine grade wiring--and will be subject to more corrosion.

As Ssobol notes the heavy duty cords are available. A true 20 amp plug will usually have the neutral spade connectors horizontal and hot vertical. The output of the extension cord may have a ambiguous (The horizontal slot may also have a vertical slot at the same position)


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There are also round 20 amp plugs, some found in marinas. I carry an adaptor for those

k-elegrp-electrical-plugs-connectors-l0620p-64_400.jpg
 
During the winter, I'll leave my boat plugged in the entire time. I have the Mastervolt Chargemaster. I've also taken a 12 gauge 100' cord and converted with a smartplug on the boat end (I use the smartplug on my boat's shorepower connection). Along with leaving the battery charger on, I also have a very small dehumidifier fan. All it really has is a small heating element in it that it blows air over. Colby
 
Bob, This is what I am using. I got started with BatteryMINDer brand by a friend of mine who uses them on his airplane batteries, both in Texas and in Washington. I have been using them for 15 years, and have kept my batteries in service for 7 years, and they were still at 95% when I switched to new batteries, only because it was “time” on the calendar.

BatteryMINDer® Model 1510

https://www.batteryminders.com/1510-12- ... h-warranty

The 1510 features the RTA-2415 Ring Terminal Assembly with Quick Connect plugs, BC-AA Battery Clips, & A 10 year warranty! It is temperature compensated and fused. And attached with the ring terminals and quick connects.

This is not the same as Battery Tender brand. They do not have the Desulfation Mode.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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thank you Harvey.

I also have several similar BatteryMinders--whcih I have also had for man-years. They work well. Today there are so many similar products. There several other pulse technology desulaters which are available. For example I have used Pulse Tech desulfators, on the RV with the built in charger.
 
Thanks for the discussion all. I have been using 12 gauge outdoor extension cords and think I will continue to use this method instead of shorepower. Although I might make the Harvey modification and get a 12 gauge 10' cord to leave in the gunnel/bulkhead hole so I dont have to fish it out after every use in the winter.
 
ATPNW":16yly9d7 said:
Thanks for the discussion all. I have been using 12 gauge outdoor extension cords and think I will continue to use this method instead of shorepower. Although I might make the Harvey modification and get a 12 gauge 10' cord to leave in the gunnel/bulkhead hole so I dont have to fish it out after every use in the winter.
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It works great. I leave it there permanently and run a 110 light, small radio, or a little heater if the temps get down to and below freezing.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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