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110 outlets

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jaydon
Navigator

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USA
156 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/03/2016 : 15:18:41

Hi,
Just thinking about spring (it will be here someday) to-dos.
One I would like to do is replace the 110 outlets. I'd like to use GFI outlets. Has anyone put these in? I was at HD yesterday and saw that they have 20a and 15a. Since the most power hungry item I use is a battery tender, 15a should be ok, right?
I didn't see any post about someone using these. Anyone else upgraded to these?
Jay

Jay
South County RI
Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad
#5645
Wind Dancer

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 15:58:39

Jay,
I replaced one or both of my ac outlets with GFI ac outlets. It was so long ago, I do not recall if I only replaced the one on the end of the starboard main cabin seat back narrow side panel or if I also replaced the one that is on the panel behind the galley. On my website, I have a section where I listed all my major work with dates but I guess I forgot to list the GFI installs...and I do not seem to have a photo of the GFI installed.

Hard to recall details of the installation but I know it would have been 15amp GFIs. I seem to recall that it was a tight fit and I had to slightly widen the width of the opening but I do not recall it being all that hard to install the GFIs.

I do recall one time when I stayed overnight at a marina and was trying to use one of the outlets and could not get it to work....until I remembered it was a GFI outlet - Pushing the reset button did the trick !

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 01/03/2016 16:01:01

WesAllen
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 17:06:45

I put one on mine a few years ago and don't regret it. I used the 15 amp and put it at the start of the circuit. Works great.

Wesley Allen
"Breaking Wind"
1982 C-25 SR/TR/SK #2773
Hemlock, MI

jaydon
Navigator

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USA
156 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 17:13:20

Hi Larry
Thanks. I'll be picking them up this week and putting them with the interior upgrades. Ready for when the shrink wrap comes off.
I was wondering if I should get 15 or 20 amp. 15 should be good.

One other thing - I haven't done any electrical work yet. Can I get at the panel from the 'dumpster' or just take the panel out? I'm thinking of adding another 4 switch subpanel hooked to the service switch.
Jay

Jay
South County RI
Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad
#5645
Wind Dancer

jaydon
Navigator

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USA
156 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 17:14:40

Hi Wes
Don't know if it's worth it, but plan on changing both.
Jay

Jay
South County RI
Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad
#5645
Wind Dancer

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 18:53:35

I know that I did not get into the dumpster and I think I did replace both outlets with GFIs. I was actually out sailing today. I think it was a high around 50F - The marina is not far from where I work, so I may be able to go down and confirm if I did replace both w/GFIs. I doubt you will have a need to go with a 20amp. At home, I think the only thing in my garage that needed a 20amp outlet was a compressor I bought to blow out the sprinkler system I installed. It ran on 15amps (as advertised) but when it hit the max pressure and and shut off, when the pressure reduced and it had to kick on again, then the circuit breaker would kick off...So I had a 20amp line put in the garage. But that is a fairly large compressor - I have a smaller one that works fine on 15amps. About the only time you may get close to 15 amps is if you use an electric pressure washer dockside and run it off your boat's ac outlet but I believe most electric pressure washers will run okay on 15amps.

When you mention adding a 4 switch sub panel hooked to the service switch.....Are you talking about adding a DC Switch panel to your existing DC Switch panel ? My ac circuit only consists of the original circuit breaker with the reverse polarity light above it. I left that circuitry alone - Just replaced the ac outlets. As far as my DC panel - My original panel is located under the steps and the PO had ganged up addl circuits using split terminals connected behind the DC panel to the existing terminals. This was a safety hazard since some of the terminals were touching each other and you could turn on the VHF radio without turning the switch on since the terminals were so close to each other, the circuit bypassed the breaker. I added a 2nd DC panel w/8 switchesl located on the face panel below the sink. Then reduced the circuits on the original panel transferred to the new panel. Let's me turn on the nav lights and steaming light from the cockpit. Details and photos on my website.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 01/03/2016 18:58:21

RickR
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2016 : 20:13:24

Select your GFI outlet size dependent on the size of wire feeding it:
A 15-amp circuit is usually served by 14-gauge wire and is protected by a 15-amp circuit breaker or fuse.
A 20-amp circuit, protected by a 20-amp breaker or fuse, must be served by 12-gauge or 10-gauge wire.

RickR
Jamestown, NY
81 C25/SK/SR/Trad #2668
"Vind Dansor"

jaydon
Navigator

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USA
156 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2016 : 05:19:01

Hi all
Rick, i'll check the wire size, but I don't anticipate running anything i'd need a 20a breaker.
Larry, I'll be adding a DC panel. My main panel is on the bhd above and behind the sink. Lousy place to Catalina to pick, but they did it. The PO put the battery switch behind the stairs. I'd love to relocate everything, but that would require rewiring the boat to get the extra length. I suppose I could just transfer all the wires from the panel to a bus bar and then to the new panel, but I don't like the idea.
I'll be thinking about this over the winter.
Jay

Jay
South County RI
Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad
#5645
Wind Dancer

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2016 : 08:15:05

I believe the wiring is 15 amp. You have a 30 amp breaker serving 2 15 amp outlets.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2016 : 10:11:01

There are many options as to where to install a substitute or addl DC Panel. My install in front of the sink may allow you to transfer some of the circuits off of your existing panel with not having to add addl wiring since your existing panel is in vicinity of the sink. I transferred some circuits and also replaced some wiring (ie. mast was re-wired all the way to the new panel and I also added wires to two fans). Here are some photos but addl are on my website. The key to installing it in front of the sink is obtaining a panel that has a short depth to it behind the panel so it does not come in contact with the sink. One negative that someone pointed out with my location was that little fingers can gain access to the panel fairly easy since it is a low location. (Fan label was added some time after photos were taken.)

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

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