Electrical Question

[JLR]

I have come across a 50amp 125/250 Gen Tran power cord. I has all the identical connections as a marine power cord except on the female end of the cord, it has a center pin (looks like a big toothpick). Putting aside the addition of waterproof boots for both ends, I am told that if I simply remove the center pin, it will be fine to use as a spare shore power cord. Does anyone know whether this is true?

 

[Genesis]

Wire is wire; if the gauge of the cable is the same, the conductors are of the same material, the connectors mate properly and are wired identically the electrons will flow the same way.

Make sure that center pin is not the ground connection though! Removing the safety ground would be BAD.

 

[Boatsb]

Wire is wire but the construction of the cord is important. If the insulation and outer case is not for correct for the application buy another cord. Also its best to have tinned conductors. It keeps them cleaner and protected from moisture better.

 

[JLR]

I decided not to mess around with it. I'll just use another cord.

 

[tonytrakovich]

JLR

There are differences in the GenTran cord and connector and your typical marine cord and connector. For a 50A 125/250 you need a cord that is marked 6/4. This means that it has 4 wires that are a 6 wire gauge. The markings will be embossed or printed along the side of the cable. Also, I think the GenTran cords are SJO cord. This will also be on the side of the cable embossed "Type SJO". SJO is a black rubber covered cord with copper conductors. The wire will be copper colored. The marine cords will have a different cover that is a little more UV and water resistant than the black SJO cord. Also the marine cords will have a tinned copper connectors that are plated with a corrosion resistant material. Plain copper will turn blue green and corrode very rapidly in the salt air environment. The cord and connector have 4 conductors. Two hot wires, a neutral wire and a ground wire. In your connector the ground wire goes to the center pin. If you remove, you have no ground. In a marine connector the ground is on the barrel OD the connector. Your electrical system does not require a ground to work. But you may end up with some electrolysis issues??? Not sure.

I personally would not use the cord. I just recently purchased some used Marineco cords on craigslist for a fraction of the cost of new. $400 for 3 cords and 2 adapters. Then you can sell your GenTran cord on CL as well.

 

[JLR]

Tony - thanks for the help.

 

[Jim saco]

I'm not endorsing that you use that 50 amp connecter rather than the proper one. The center pin on that connecter is for alignment only. It's not a ground. The ground is still tied to the outside spade. I have one that I use on the hard during the winter months that ties in directly to a panel. They do sell weather proof boots for that connecter and tinned spades. Depending on which one you have. As far as tinning is concerned marinco cord sets do not have tinned wire. But that's another topic all together.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Remember, your boat has an isolation transformer so the ground only goes to the case of the transformer. It only protects you from stock at the transformer itself should there be a short in there.

You also do not need the neutral as it is not connected to anything. You could actually get by with a 6/3 cable which is lighter as it has no neutral. A/C induced electrolysis is not a problem as the isolation transformer protects you from that.

 

[Glory]

I have come across a 50amp 125/250 Gen Tran power cord. I has all the identical connections as a marine power cord except on the female end of the cord, it has a center pin (looks like a big toothpick). Putting aside the addition of waterproof boots for both ends, I am told that if I simply remove the center pin, it will be fine to use as a spare shore power cord. Does anyone know whether this is true?

That connector is used in many referigeration truck applications for when the unit is parked over night to run the reefer unit.

JM

 

[JLR]

FWIW, I confirmed that this center pin is not connected to any wire. It is used for alignment only. Nevertheless, I am going to stick with a traditional shore power cord made for marine use.