Power Cord Question

[Sadey]

I have the most basic understanding of AC electrical connections thus the following question. The storage facility I am in has both a 30 and 50 amp power receptacle at each roof support structure. Unfortunately the 50 amp receptacle has the wrong prong configuration for my 50 amp cord. If I purchased a 50 to 30 amp plug converter will I be able to power the boat? I just want to be able to turn the AC lights on and run my battery charger while I’m tinkering with the boat. The other option I have is to use my twin 30 to single 50 Hubbell converter but then I have to purchase a 30 amp cord to run one of the Y connections to the other power box which is 30’ or so away.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I have the most basic understanding of AC electrical connections thus the following question. The storage facility I am in has both a 30 and 50 amp power receptacle each roof support structure. Unfortunately the 50 amp receptacle has the wrong prong configuration for my 50 amp cord. If I purchased a 50 to 30 amp plug converter will I be able to power the boat? I just want to be able to turn the AC lights on and run my battery charger while I’m tinkering with the boat. The other option I have is to use my twin 30 to single 50 Hubbell converter but then I have to purchase a 30 amp cord to run one of the Y connections to the other power box which is 30’ or so.

There are two different 50Amp connects. The older connect was for 120Vac only. The latter connect is for 120 AND 240Vac uses.
The micro text on the outlet will read which one it is.
If your later 50A shore cord does not fit, I would guess it is an older 50A 120Vac outlet only.

You have to be careful when trying to use Y adapters also. With out getting into phasing theory or wire colors; Just think of 240Volts as a top and bottom 120Vac added together.
Some of those outlets will be the top 120v and others will be the bottom 120v. By using the Y adapter and plugging into just bottom 120v lines, you will only get 120v. Same for just top 120v outlets. You need to find a top and bottom 120v outlets to plug into to get 240Vac.
Sometimes these outlets are side by side, other times across the dock (or further) from each other.

There are "Smart" Y adapters that will not turn on until correct top & bottom outlets are in use. If the 120Vac outlets are spread apart, could get expensive quickly with extra shore cables and the smart Y adapter.

Hope this helps

 

[Sadey]

I do have one of the smart Hubble Y converters. So it won’t be as expensive but still a chunk of change just to be able to tinker on the boat. However I’d rather buy the 30 amp cord then monkey around with an extension cord. Here is a picture of the outlet at the storage facility. Not sure if the quality is enough to see. It’s a Leviton 50 amp 3P 4W 250VDC/600VAC plug then there’s a number 3769.

 

[SEVEN]

Can’t make out the plug. Add a clearer photo

 

[SEVEN]

Does the cord you are trying to plug in show 50/125/250 or just 50/125?

 

[Sadey]

That’s the clearest I could get the picture to publish on the website. The picture on my phone is very clear but won’t translate. The outlet shows 50 amp 240VDC/600VAC.

 

[Sadey]

Let’s try this

 

[SEVEN]

Still can’t see how many bent barbs the photos show. The 50 amp 125 has one bent barb and the 50/125/250 has two bent barbs. They are not interchangeable. Verify the male end of your cord has the same number of bent barbs as the female receptacle. So, the 50/125 can only fit in a 50/125 female. Same with 50/125/250, it only fits in a 50/125/250.

 

[Sadey]

Crude drawing I know but the prongs are accurate. Here is an enhanced photo maybe that will work.

 

[MadHatter53]

 

[SEVEN]

Thanks Madhatter I was going to look that up for him next. So the photo 4th from the left is 50 amp 125 volt. The lay photo on the right is 50 volt 125/250 volt. As you can see you cannot plug them in to each other. From your drawing it looks like 125/250 cord is what you need. Now check to see if both the dock and boat have the same 125/250.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Dave,
Plug a 30amp cord into the 50a/120v recepticle with an adapter. The isolation transformer will make 230v out of the 120v input so you can run a 230v battery charger.

That's what I do in the storage building. Call me if you need further explanation.

 

[SEVEN]

I have the most basic understanding of AC electrical connections thus the following question. The storage facility I am in has both a 30 and 50 amp power receptacle at each roof support structure. Unfortunately the 50 amp receptacle has the wrong prong configuration for my 50 amp cord. If I purchased a 50 to 30 amp plug converter will I be able to power the boat? I just want to be able to turn the AC lights on and run my battery charger while I’m tinkering with the boat. The other option I have is to use my twin 30 to single 50 Hubbell converter but then I have to purchase a 30 amp cord to run one of the Y connections to the other power box which is 30’ or so away.

I sent you a private message with my cell number. Call if you would like to discuss. I’m in California.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Not a marine outlet.
https://www.leviton.com/en/products/3769