www.iFourWinns.com

Ok, I'm thinking my Dock has a power issue and not me, but how can I be sure. Here is what I am running into:

* Dock side Shore Power Hookup is has a 30 amp breaker
* Shore side box has a 30 amp GFI breaker.

Shore breaker trips a LOT. It does reset after a time or two. Then if I try and run a vacuum, Microwave, or any high draw item on my outlets, it trips on the GFI, Shore side. I cannot even THINK of throwing the switch to turn on my hot water heater, that trips it like NOW as well.

This boat is new to me, so what I don't know is how many amps does a 94 258 usually draw? anyone have any suggestions? What do you have for shore power? Thanks as I'm still working out bugs (or maybe not bugs).

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94 258 Vista
5.8 OMC Cobra EFI/V8 OMC Cobra outdrive.

Never had the problem! But, is the trouble light on your "Galvanic Isolator" on?? It also sounds like your connection between ground and neutral need to be cleaned.

I found this in the Four Winns handbook, for what it's worth:

EQUIPMENT ELECTRICAL LOADS
Air Conditioners, see motor load plate
Battery Chargers Up to 800 watts (7.3 amps)
Blankets (Electric) 50 to 200 watts (2 amps)
Coffee Makers 550 to 700 watts (6.3 amps)
Electrical Drills See motor load plate
Fans 25 to 75 watts (0.7 amps
Fry Pan 1350 watts (12.3 amps)
Heater 1500 watts (13.7 amps)
Lights Wattage as marked
Television 1500 watts (10.5 amps)
Vacuum Cleaners, see motor load plate

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Great info!!!!

I don't think I have a galvanic isolator? I have a polarity light that has never come on... Is that the same? My green shore power light seems to blink vs stay on all the time. It seems to very based on draw, does that sound right?

I'm gonna start at the source and work my way in. Replace the breaker on shore (well gonna ask the marina to). I have tried plugging into other outlets on the dock, some don't cause me an issue, others do? This is what is leaning me to the marina power side vs my boat. But being new, I'm still learning about this.

On a side note, I thought for sure GFIs looked at amp draw, but in reading it makes perfect sense that it's bleed to ground.

Il keep ya posted, going there today.

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94 258 Vista
5.8 OMC Cobra EFI/V8 OMC Cobra outdrive.

Try plugging your setup into a different shore power outlet.

Get another boater to try using your shore power outlet.

I agree with others that it's likely the shore power setup, not your boat.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

If you can't find the galvanic isolator, unscrew and pull the mains voltage panel towards you. That's where I found mine - resting on a shelf only attached by its wiring.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

I would also check the condition of the main AC connections, particularly where your boats AC system connects to the back of the shore power socket. If these are loose or corroded, there will be a lot of added resistance which I think could lead to your issue - it could also lead to a serious fire. Also verify that your shore power cords are getting a good, solid connection to the boat socket and marina outlet - make sure there are no black 'burn' marks on either end of your power cords as well (this could be an indication of arcing or overheating.
If all that checks out, try another shore connection which uses a different breaker - it's possible your breaker is tripping early, but unlikely that all the breakers in the marina do this. This will either point to the boat, or the marina breaker as the issue.

_________________
1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

"I don't think I have a galvanic isolator?"


My AC panel looks like this:



Above the voltmeter it reads "Galvanic Isolator - Normal (green), Fault (red)"

To the right side it reads "AC System - Active (green), Reverse Polarity (red)"


"My green shore power light seems to blink vs stay on all the time. It seems to very based on draw, does that sound right?"

Under proper operating conditions, the reverse
polarity indicator light will not be on. A green light is
provided for the shore power and will be “ON” when
dockside power is being used. (Four Winns manual).

I think my green light stays on steady all the time we are plugged in to shore power. I read a post somewhere about an old LED light bulb being replaced to stop flickering and revert to a steady light - but this might sort itself out when you have resolved the shore power issue.

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

This is AWESOME! thanks everyone! I moved my plug to other outlets on the dock. Some allow me to do whatever I want (vacuum, run Microwave etc), Others, like mine, pop as soon as a sudden draw is put on it. This is really leaning me toward a Marina problem, not a boat issue.

I have a MUCH simpler version of this panel. My Green light does blink, and I never get the reverse polarity light on... that gives me hope.

I have a new Cable, and cannot find any burn marks or signs of overheating.

Other boats are having similar issues on my dock, this is leaning me again, to a marina issue, but have also just found that I have a burned up Charger. I am in the process of replacing that as I type. Maybe that could be causing some excessive draw? not sure??

The Marina has changed my breaker, my neighbor is now tapping off my "House" (not sure if that is the correct term or not but the plug in on the dock). Things seem better, but have not had a ton of time to really test it by putting a high draw item on it. I'm going to replace my charger tomorrow and then test the system again. I HATE electrical issues

_________________
94 258 Vista
5.8 OMC Cobra EFI/V8 OMC Cobra outdrive.