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Carver 36AC electrical

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by subsailor637, Feb 18, 2012.

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  1. subsailor637

    subsailor637 New Member

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    May 11, 2010
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    Location:
    Kenosha, WI
    Purchased my 1990 36AC three years ago and have experienced problems with breakers tripping (on the house electrical) even without a heavy load on (boat closed up with just a fan and fridge running). This is when we have shore power connection from two 30 amp outlets (one for house and one for A/C). Anyone else have these problems? Doesn't seem to be as be a problem when shore power is single 60 amp service.
  2. Fireman431

    Fireman431 Senior Member

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    Jan 11, 2010
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    195
    Location:
    East central Florida
    Check the connections on the shore cables or better yet, use two different one to see if you still get the problem. Neighboring boat had the same issue and found loose connections in the female portion of the shore cable. Assuming it was just a result of years of use and slowly loosening up, they were replaced and problems resolved.

    Also check the connections and breakers at the connections on the vessel itself.
  3. subsailor637

    subsailor637 New Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2010
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    Location:
    Kenosha, WI
    Thanks, I will do that at launch this spring. However, the electrical cords are fairly new but the electrical panel (breakers etc) is original. Was wondering if anyone out there has experience re-doing electrical panels, especially from Great Lakes area.
  4. Fireman431

    Fireman431 Senior Member

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    Jan 11, 2010
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    Location:
    East central Florida
    Are you having the same problem when running from the genset? If not, it's probably not your panel, but the electrical feed from shore power. If the cables are pretty new, look into the receiving connections on the boat itself. More than likely (although not 100%), you will not need to redo the panel. One or two breakers if that's the problem, but more than likely the problem lies in the feed to the panel.
  5. subsailor637

    subsailor637 New Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2010
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    Location:
    Kenosha, WI
    Don't have a genset so obviously not that. I will check the connections at the boat but they (outwardly) looked ok last season. One last note, we did FRY a breaker at the shore connection last summer. We where away from the boat so again, low load when this happened. Unfortunately I can't recall if the main breaker on the boat was tripped or not
  6. tommyfmu

    tommyfmu Member

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    Jul 1, 2010
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    Location:
    Freeport, NY
    As suggested try checking the connections at the boat; not just the visible outside section with the blades, but go behind them as well. Previous owner said fire almost started at the boat connection on a number of occasions due to overloading. Well, he never checked the wiring entering the connector. About 1/2 was green corroded on the neutral, so only about 1/2 of the [what looks like] 10 gauge wire was allowing current to pass, so eventually heated so much it turned the socket black with carbon. A quick fix for about $25 for a new connector, and just re-stripped the wire.
  7. subsailor637

    subsailor637 New Member

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    May 11, 2010
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    Location:
    Kenosha, WI
    36 Aft A/C

    Thanks, I will do that when I launch. Would be great to find a less expense solution than re-doing the panel.
  8. Fireman431

    Fireman431 Senior Member

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    195
    Location:
    East central Florida
    For peace of mind, don't automatically assume it's the panel. Start with the beginning and work your way to the panel. Dock power stantion, then cords & connections (on BOTH ends), then cord breakers--if equipped, the panel breakers (individually), then panel wiring.