How to pull an ext cable to ins

[paulga]

To add some amp capacity to the boat, I want to use an extension cable to send power into the cabin.

Earlier I installed the service panel and an electrical box on the finger deck mainly to power a de icer. If I do it now, I would place the distribution panel and one outlet in the sundeck, a second outlet inside the cabin, with the connection cable routed through a cable gland.

To get things up and running in a short time, I thought about some alternative plans. The straightforward way is to get the ext cable through a cable gland, but the end plug requires a large hole when I'm not sure what the wall inside looks like. Finally I installed one surface mount outlet on each side of the wall, it only needed a small hole to channel the wires.

This has been running with no problems so far, but it's haste work. I want to ask what you guys solution would be.

 

[psneeld]

Maybe cut the plug off one end of the extension cord, preferably the inside end, pass through the hole and wire a replacement end on where you cut one off?

 

[Bmarler]

While this is working, it’s a risky way to do it. If I have this right, you are sending power in one receptacle and out the other. This forces you to energize the external prongs on the end supplying power. Too easy to make a mistake there.
You should mount a proper power inlet on the outside wall somehow. Especially if you’re running heaters off this receptacle. Constant draw from resistance heaters have high likelihood of melting the receptacle if it’s a light duty one.

 

[CharlieO.]

I'd probably do something like this

15 Amp Inlet, Shore Power Flanged Receptacle, 15A 125V Recessed Male Outlet, NEM | eBay

Step 2, Put the 15 amp flanged inlet in the hole, mark the four screw positions. Step 3, fix the recessed male outlet position with the four screws. Step 4, plug and play, the ac inlet now is installed successfully.

www.ebay.com

 

[Bmarler]

I was going to mention the same idea. Here’s a marinco version: Weekender by ParkPower 15 Amp Electrical Inlet

 

[TJM]

All of my electrical upgrades have been ABYC or NEC compliant. Establish what size circuit you need (15 or 20 amp) and use the correct gage wire on the circuit. Make sure the circuit is over load protected. Use chafe protection whenever you are going thru walls. As you know, there is a lot of vibration on our old diesels.
That set up might make an inspector cringe.

 

[paulga]

I was going to mention the same idea. Here’s a marinco version: Weekender by ParkPower 15 Amp Electrical Inlet

Thanks for the link.
What do you mean to force to energize the external prongs on the end supplying power?

 

[RedRascal]

What do you mean to force to energize the external prongs on the end supplying power?

Does the short yellow cord have prongs on each end(male to male)? If so this is usually consider a party foul be most electricians because someone can unknowingly get electrocuted if they touch the prongs on the yellow end of the cord that goes into the boat.

The cheapest way to make this a bit safer would be to cut the female end off the green cord and push it through the cabin wall then add a new plug like this 15 Amp 125-Volt Double Pole 3-Wire Grounding Plug, Black

Better could be mounting a "handy box" on the outside cabin wall with one of these Leviton 15 Amp 125-Volt Straight Blade Grounding Power Inlet Outlet, Gray 001-05278-CWP - The Home Depot then run a wire to your plug.

Best would be to use marine grade components and get it ABYC compliant with fusing, I don't know the ABYC regs for this so maybe someone else can speak to ABYC regs.

 

[Bacchus]

Yes it supplies power where you want it, BUT...
Against all elec codes
Won't meet ABYC if boat is ever surveyed.
IT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD BE LETHAL!

If it's worth doing... its worth doing correctly.

 

[paulga]

Does the short yellow cord have prongs on each end(male to male)? If so this is usually consider a party foul be most electricians because someone can unknowingly get electrocuted if they touch the prongs on the yellow end of the cord that goes into the boat.

The cheapest way to make this a bit safer would be to cut the female end off the green cord and push it through the cabin wall then add a new plug like this 15 Amp 125-Volt Double Pole 3-Wire Grounding Plug, Black

Better could be mounting a "handy box" on the outside cabin wall with one of these Leviton 15 Amp 125-Volt Straight Blade Grounding Power Inlet Outlet, Gray 001-05278-CWP - The Home Depot then run a wire to your plug.

Best would be to use marine grade components and get it ABYC compliant with fusing, I don't know the ABYC regs for this so maybe someone else can speak to ABYC regs.

Thanks.
This fitting looks like this.
What device should be mounted the the other side of the wall?

 

[CharlieO.]

You wire in an outlet to the other side.

 

[paulga]

You wire in an outlet to the other side.

Is there a device that will look better than the second picture in post 1?

 

[Bmarler]

Thanks for the link.
What do you mean to force to energize the external prongs on the end supplying power?

I think this has been answered, but you have two female receptacles. You need a male plug to put power in. If the male plug is inadvertently pulled out before de-energizing it you can easily get shocked. Those look pretty light duty, (the receptacles) so maybe an external mounted outlet box with a good quality receptacle might be a better choice. You’ll just have to look around for one that you like, there are literally hundreds to choose from.

 

[RedRascal]

Thanks.
This fitting looks like this.
What device should be mounted the the other side of the wall?

View attachment 161592

To make it look nice on the inside you could use a handybox Carlon 1-Gang 12 cu. in. Gray PVC New/Old Work Handy Box B112HBR - The Home Depot then add teak trim around it to match a teak wallplate(outlet cover). From the outside it will look like your outlet is mounted in a small wood box.

 

[paulga]

To make it look nice on the inside you could use a handybox Carlon 1-Gang 12 cu. in. Gray PVC New/Old Work Handy Box B112HBR - The Home Depot then add teak trim around it to match a teak wallplate(outlet cover). From the outside it will look like your outlet is mounted in a small wood box.

is the teak trim for flush mounted electrical box?
the thickness of the cabin wall only supports surface mount.

 

[RedRascal]

Correct, flush mount the box then add trim to the side of the box to make it look like a wood box or wood fixture. You could use actual teak, mahogany or a more common wood that you stain to match. I'd recommend picking your wall plate first so you know how wide your trim pieces need to be around the box. There are narrow and wide wall plates so for this project target something on the narrow end of the spectrum.

 

[Bmarler]

is the teak trim for flush mounted electrical box?
the thickness of the cabin wall only supports surface mount.

Pretty sure he means surface mount the box and build a teak box around it.
So, it’s a flush mount outlet in a surface mounted teak box.

 

[paulga]

Pretty sure he means surface mount the box and build a teak box around it.
So, it’s a flush mount outlet in a surface mounted teak box.

It takes too many saws to make one

 

[Bmarler]

It takes too many saws to make one

Yeah, a table saw will do it, but you need room for a tool like that. Tough to justify a table saw on a boat.
Small decorative boxes may be something you could look for online.