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Hi Guys ,hoping someone can point me in the right direction? I was hoping someone could post some pictures of the shorepower connector(at the boat end) meaning the fitting on the side of the boat(showing where the cord plugs in ) and also a picture of a shorepower cord explaining which end goes in which,I know this seems like a silly question ,but in nz we have completly different plug set ups.I have bought a stepdown transformer which is 3000watts ,so my plan is to plug the transformer in at the marina(230-240v),then plug the shorepower cord in the transformer output(110-120v) into the shorepower connector on my boat ,effectively changing the 230-240 v down to 110-120v ,this should then enable me to operate the appliances etc in the boat without a problem,yes the transformer is a good safe ,new one with a fuse cutout and the marina power is also on rcd(residual current device) so even if something did happen it would trip the circuit breaker instantly,does anyone see any problems with this idea? or am I an idiot? lol. thanks in advance for your input and pictures

It's a standard NEMA L5-30R 3-prong locking plug/socket.

The shore power connector has make tangs inside a flip-open cover.


The cable has a female socket on it at the boat end.


The one the shore end it has male tangs just like the connector in the boat.


They're standard fittings, at least in the US.

Marinco is the most common supplier of the shore power cables:
http://www.marinco.com/productline/30-a ... r-products

Hubbel also makes some, as do others.

The biggest downside to using an external transformer is corrosion. Devices designed for use on boats tend to be designed to avoid corrosion. Is yours set up that way?

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I should also point out you can get away with using a splitter if you have two 30A sockets. Just don't run everything at once. Assuming you have two 30A connectors, one is for the AC and the other is for the rest of the boat. I've cheated this way for while and it has worked fine. Just don't expect to run a microwave, hair dryer, water heater and AC all at once. An alternative is to get a 50A shore power cord and use a 50A to 30A splitter. It has a single 50A plug on the splitter and then two 30A plugs. They tend to be reeeeeeeeeally expensive (welcome to boat ownership).

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hello, also being based in NZ we got our shore power cable made up by a local marine electrician. Our Vista has the Marinco fitting at the boat side, and the NZ three prong fitting at the shore side. Most marinas will insist on this cable being certified and that before connecting that your marine EWOF (electrical warrant of fitness) is current, as will your insurance company too I bet. As for the transformer setup etc, I'm no expert, but you could probably get the the same sparky to set this up on the distribution board on the boat to save you lugging this around.

Thanks for the pictures and help everyone,I went to the local marina and asked some questions there too.The manager told me I will need to change the nz type 3 pin plug for a nz approved ray roll plug,which I have done,I am permitted to plug into the marina power now(using the transformer) and then connect the shorepower cord from my boat to the transformer,I thought about mounting the transformer in the boat,but this way I can keep it if I ever sell the boat,its only about 12-15kg and about the size of a tissue box,so not a problem,thanks guys

Just a thought, god forbid the fridge breaks down or lets say it's time for new things. You could change the charger, fridge and....... to 220 volts right?