Removing External shore power panel

[MikeP]

I need to get into one of the shore power input panels on our 53MY. There is no access from the rear so I assume the front panel is removed by pulling all the square head screws and then the panel with all the fittings can be pulled outward. My real question is: how far can the panel be pulled out? How much slack (if any) is in all the wiring?

I want to install a cable TV connector in the panel so I need to be able to run the cable in from the back side and hook it to a connecter that I will install in the panel.

Thanks

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Mike,
You have to take out the screws all around the aluminum face. It will tilt out with very little slack, but you should be able to work with it that way.

 

[MikeP]

Thanks Sky - that'll be tomorrow's project (along with installing a new aft bilge pump and re=plumbing the other engine's tranny pressure gauge.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

While you're in there, be sure to check all of the connections and make sure they are all clean and tight. I helped work on one last year that had one loose connection on the back of the "shotgun fuse" holder and it had arced and melted the wire for several inches.

 

[MikeP]

Will do, thanks!

 

[sandspur1966]

Mike I just had mine apart and my experience is the same as Sky's.

You pull all the screws surrounding the aluminum plate and depending on how it was bedded, it comes out about 6 inches. Not a ton of room but certainly enough to get in there and do what you need to do.

I had a fuse overheat but not blow and it melted the holder and scorched much of the cable inside the box. I toyed with upgrading the whole side with these new Smart Plugs but they still don't have the 50 amp version yet and when I started adding up all the various hardware I needed i balked.

Pretty cool plugs though and Steve D'Antonio at passagemaker gave them high marks.

http://www.smartplug.com/