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Old 04-19-2014, 10:09 AM   #1
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Power Cords

What is the best product to clean shore power cords? Mine are disgusting.
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Old 04-19-2014, 10:26 AM   #2
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Assuming you have 30 amp, a credit card for a new Marinco is my choice. Lots of guys on TF talk about trying to salvage marine cords, foolish IMHO - I regularly practice IBEW safety rules.
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Old 04-19-2014, 10:43 AM   #3
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30 AMP buy new, 50 AMP let me know. My main everyday cord is good but I have 2 other cords that are real bad and at 600+ bucks I don't want to trash them.
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Old 04-19-2014, 11:38 AM   #4
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Look over on the fender cleaning thread...pretty much all the same answers.

Strong stuff works well but you have to be careful and replace the plasticizers that are removed by strong solvents.

Replacing cords because they are dirty (not electrically insufficient) is convenient except to those that are low on funds and need $$$$ for other things....
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Old 04-19-2014, 02:04 PM   #5
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If or when you buy new ones, you can recover a little money by taking the old ones to a metal recycling scrap yard. Copper is pert' near $3 a pound.
You could use the windfall cash for a new Hula girl bobblehead for the helm.
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Old 04-19-2014, 05:52 PM   #6
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You might try Lanolin based hand cleaner. I used to use this on plastic tool handles many years ago.

I've seen some suggestions in the past that I though were pretty bad. A dirty power cord is better than one that's clean but has been damaged by the chemicals or process used to clean it.

As for selling your old cord for scrap, I doubt you'll get more than a dollar for it and you'll have to strip (or burn) the insulation off first.
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Old 04-20-2014, 06:20 AM   #7
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If springing big bucks for a new cord I would only purchase ones that have removable , non sealed ends.

Usually HUBBEL.

Sure when it overheats a hack saw will remove any melted plug ,

but sometimes IF it drops in sea water they can be cleaned , not discarded.
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Old 04-22-2014, 11:52 AM   #8
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Marinestrip-Home

Followed by coating the cord with 303 or Mop n Glow.

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Old 04-22-2014, 01:44 PM   #9
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BestStuff by ZEP
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Old 04-22-2014, 03:42 PM   #10
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My emphasis is on cleaning the connections not the cord exterior.
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Old 04-22-2014, 04:45 PM   #11
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StarBrite makes a shorepower cable cleaner/protector that works pretty well. It's not a magic bullet, though...

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Old 04-22-2014, 04:52 PM   #12
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My emphasis is on cleaning the connections not the cord exterior.

Are you trying to remove corrosion? Put some Corrosion Block on them and see if you can wipe it away. Are there signs of discoloration around the connectors? If so, I would cut the end off back as far as you need to see bright new wire and put a new end on. I also spray my connections and receptacles with Corrosion Block priodically to prevent this problem.
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Old 04-22-2014, 05:32 PM   #13
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Marinestrip-Home

Followed by coating the cord with 303 or Mop n Glow.

Capt.Bill11, how easy was the Marinestrip to use? Was it wipe on/wipe right off or wipe on/soak/scrub off?

Looks like an interesting product for general boat use.
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Old 04-22-2014, 06:06 PM   #14
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Using harsh chemicals that damage the insulation and then trying to repair the insulation with floor wax? Seriously?

A dirty power cord is better than one that's clean but has been damaged by the chemicals or process used to clean it.
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Old 04-22-2014, 07:13 PM   #15
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any proof there's damage that will affect performance????
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Old 04-22-2014, 08:27 PM   #16
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Using harsh chemicals that damage the insulation and then trying to repair the insulation with floor wax? Seriously?

A dirty power cord is better than one that's clean but has been damaged by the chemicals or process used to clean it.
What makes you say that, rwidman? Do you know something the manufacturer doesn't know or doesn't want us to know? What information do you have that this product is ineffective or unsafe for power cords?

The info below is from the website linked above:

Marine Strip

Restoration Technology - Marine Strip Welcome to our web site!
We offer simply the finest Marine stripper available. We are also home to the fine line of TLC Wax Products. (The Original TLC Wax)

See the Captain's Review in "In the Bite" magazine! "What was going to be a full morning project for us turned into a quick wipe and clean."


Marine Strip - Simply the finest cleaning product available!
$16.95 per quart plus shipping and handling.
Cleans on contact:

Dirty shore power cords (emphasis mine)
Poly balls
Inflatables
Black rup marks in rod holders
Vinyl cushions
Plastic coolers
Canvas
Plastic rub rails
Fiberglass
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Old 04-22-2014, 09:50 PM   #17
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Using harsh chemicals that damage the insulation and then trying to repair the insulation with floor wax? Seriously?

A dirty power cord is better than one that's clean but has been damaged by the chemicals or process used to clean it.
Not trying to repair any damage because no real damage is done. Just trying to protect the cord so it's easier to clean next time. :-)

This talk of cleaning your cords from time to time some how causing any real long term damage to their thick outer insulation is nonsense.

After decades in this business the only damaged I've seen done to shore cords had nothing to do with keeping them clean.
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Old 04-22-2014, 09:55 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by rwidman View Post
Using harsh chemicals that damage the insulation and then trying to repair the insulation with floor wax? Seriously?

A dirty power cord is better than one that's clean but has been damaged by the chemicals or process used to clean it.

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Old 04-22-2014, 10:05 PM   #19
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Capt.Bill11, how easy was the Marinestrip to use? Was it wipe on/wipe right off or wipe on/soak/scrub off?

Looks like an interesting product for general boat use.
That is a picture of a one of the 2 100 amp cords on the last boat I ran. They were the dirtiest cords I had ever had to clean. So it was a scrub hard, wipe and then wipe down again process.

On most cords you can just scrub/wipe with a terry towel or microfiber towel, changing them as they get dirty, and your done.
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Old 04-23-2014, 05:55 AM   #20
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Not trying to repair any damage because no real damage is done. Just trying to protect the cord so it's easier to clean next time. :-)

This talk of cleaning your cords from time to time some how causing any real long term damage to their thick outer insulation is nonsense.

After decades in this business the only damaged I've seen done to shore cords had nothing to do with keeping them clean.

So true....I have seen the ends replaced multiple times long before the main cord insulation ever fails.

The ends fall apart or become so burned/corroded the cord is repaired or replaced....
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