Am I a fool to put a 60 amp fuse in my 50 amp shore power socket?

[nmcafee]

When it gets real hot outside we are popping fuses on one of our shore power lines. We are getting smarter about alternating the different loads we are using, and i have cleaned the sockets and added grease to the fuses.

The previous owner used 60 amp fuses, but the 50 amp ones I am using get very hot when they pop. Would I be a fool to use the 60 amp ones the prev owner used?

Nathan

 

[Captain Ralph]

Before anybody tell you it is OK to exceed the specs, I have to ask;
Do you have a second shore power connect to share the loads?

 

[nmcafee]

We have dual 50 amp shore inputs, we have 2 cables coming in. I did swap the cables today to see if the same one is popping. I don't know enough to pull the circuit panel out and check the draw of the individual circuits but will watch some youtube videos tomorrow.

 

[Captain Ralph]

We have dual 50 amp shore inputs, we have 2 cables coming in. I did swap the cables today to see if the same one is popping. I don't know enough to pull the circuit panel out and check the draw of the individual circuits but will watch some youtube videos tomorrow.

If you have dual inputs, you may have panel selection where you can manage the amps per input. The Hatt mini amp meters are crude but can still guide you on what load goes where.
Post a pic of your ACv panels.

 

[Boatsb]

DO NOT DO IT.

Check your shore cords for degrading connections. If they're over 6 or 7 years old replace them

Check your AC units capacitors and if not already done add soft starts.

Your pulling too much power for the circuit and there's no way to increase it. As Dave would say "download the power" until its safe.

 

[osprey]

there are different types of fuses, try using a slow acting fuse. they are meant for surges when motors or pumps kick in.

Good luck, P

 

[SEVEN]

I find that even though they hold up until they get hot, they are old fuses and they do get weak. I would change out the 50 amp Fuses for new ones before I would attempt adding something larger. No I take that back. I would never put it in a larger one that it’s asking for.

 

[tjshuler]

Do not put 60 amp fuses in place of 50 amp fuses. The 60 amp fuse may run cooler and not trip, but what wiring down in the bowels of the ship are now getting toasty?

Time delay fuses may help, but keep them at 50 amps maximum.

 

[ageless]

get rid of them--replace with circuit breakers

 

[Pascal]

The wiring is designed for 50 amps and the fuses protect your wiring if you use more power. Yes in theory the 50amp breaker at the pedestal will trip before you exceed that but that’s relying on possibly questionable marina equipment. I have seen aging marina breakers that are stiff and past their due dates

How many amps are you typically using? What do you see on your amp meters? These boats use a lot of power in summer and ideally need a second cord. In summer with full AC I have to juggle loads… turn off the water heater to cook etc.

Problem with running at the limits is that you re stressing the wiring, connections, etc. This is a safety issue especially on the older boats.

As others have mentioned I would replace these fuses with 50 amp circuit breakers. These fuses have caused many fires over the years

 

[rwaldrop13]

We were also told to replace the fuses with circuit breakers on Pau Hana, but it was not feasible $$ at the time as we were also trying to deal with air conditioning issues. I found the same 50A slo-blows at Lowes. However we also found the pedestal on the dock was the culprit, and the marina had us plug into a different pedestal.

 

[zigzag930]

Just wondering... .Are you sure you are getting 240v at the boat? Seen lots of marinas that dip in voltage when all the boats are running there HVAC, etc.

Low voltages will increase amperage draw. That might be your issue exceeding 50amps.

Just my $.02

 

[nmcafee]

Am sticking with 50 amp fuses. I think the problem is a basic misunderstanding of my electrical panel. Am posting a new thread to work on that.

Thanks for all of the advice

 

[tom5518]

Replace the inlets with new ones and inspect the wiring carefully. Probably won't solve the problem, but it's a common point for overheating and fires. fires.

 

[ageless]

One other thing that should never be overlooked but is VERY often is the cord itself. We were having issues with being able to utilize the stove top and microwave at the same time. After consulting Scott, the electrical guru, we chose to start with our cord and that was all it took to eliminate the "hot fuses". Circuit breaker install is next.

 

[nmcafee]

Replace the inlets with new ones and inspect the wiring carefully. Probably won't solve the problem, but it's a common point for overheating and fires. fires.

We bought 2 new Marinco 50' 50 Amp 125/250 cords last month. It hurt pricewise, but the old ones were losing about 10 volts from shore to input side.

It isnt the cable.

 

[Pascal]

One other thing that should never be overlooked but is VERY often is the cord itself. We were having issues with being able to utilize the stove top and microwave at the same time. After consulting Scott, the electrical guru, we chose to start with our cord and that was all it took to eliminate the "hot fuses". Circuit breaker install is next.

I ve had issues with cords in the past as well. Regular inspection of shore power cord is a must, just feeling the cord over its length for hot spot will alert you of issues. And if you have a cable master, check out the part that’s in the tub as well. I once had a 100 cord almost start a fire, it had been nicked at some point about 10’ from the end in the tub. Caught it just in time when I smelled smoke walking in the crew area aft.

Every time I have replaced shore power cords I bought the cable in bulk from Ward electrics to ensure it is tinned. Most assembled cords like Marino use cheaper un-tinned wires.

 

[cww]

When it gets real hot outside we are popping fuses on one of our shore power lines. We are getting smarter about alternating the different loads we are using, and i have cleaned the sockets and added grease to the fuses.

The previous owner used 60 amp fuses, but the 50 amp ones I am using get very hot when they pop. Would I be a fool to use the 60 amp ones the prev owner used?

Nathan

My boat has plugs for multiple cords and the panel lets you split up the loads between them so you don't go over 50a. Does yours only have a single plug? I'd start with that before I'd put bigger fuses in. That's a 20% overload which it sounds like you fully intend to use. Frying the wiring between the inlet and the transformers is going to be a lot more expensive than a second shore power cord.

 

[cww]

One other thing that should never be overlooked but is VERY often is the cord itself. We were having issues with being able to utilize the stove top and microwave at the same time. After consulting Scott, the electrical guru, we chose to start with our cord and that was all it took to eliminate the "hot fuses". Circuit breaker install is next.

Amen, I have had that problem whenever I tried to cheap out on a cord. I had one I paid $1k+ for that has lasted 10 years and if I'm being honest I have dropped it in salt water and hosed it out about 5 times and it's still working fine. It has followed me from my last boat. It finally got so ugly that I bought one of those discount generic ones off amazon for $400 and promptly had to replace my shore power fuse twice. Guess which one I'm back to using. Eventually the cords get moldy enough that they start leaving difficult to remove black marks all over the boat, so my next project is dragging it into the parking lot and scrubbing it down. That or replacing it with another good quality one. It weighs roughly 2x as much as the cheapo one I got online.

 

[Pascal]

A few years ago I bought one of those smart cords or eel, forgot which one, with the clamp style plugs and a blue LED. Trash. It looked like crap after just 2 years in the sun. Hubbel is probably the best when it comes to cords if you don’t want to buy the cable and plugs separately