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my friend has a seawall behind his house that has regular household current run out to it. How big a priject is it to convert to 30 amp outlets for a boat hookup? Thanks
It depends on how far it is from the house, and how the current line is run. The wire that is there now is probably number 12 or 14. For 30amp you need number 10. You need to replace, or run a parralle line to it. If it is under ground, you may need to run it in conduit, but I do not believe so.
Basics,
Run a 10/2 lwith ground from your circuit panel to dock.
you will need a NEMA L5-30P recepticale and a box to mount it in. The cover will need to be weather proof.
30 Amp Breaker for circuit panel.
If you have never done electrical work, you may need someone to connect it in the circuit panel.
I work for Marina Power and Lighting, which manufactures power pedestals for this purpose. I can give you a little insight if you would like. Give me a call at 800-723-8009. My name is Kelly. The main details I would need to know are:
1) What current your friend has going out to the seawall right now (i.e. 20-amps, 30-amps, etc.). An easy way to tell is to find the circuit breaker which protects this circuit in your friend's panel.
2) How far is the seawall from the panel? This will dictate what size wire and ground you need to account for voltage drop.
You might get lucky and already have 30-amps running out there. The only thing you would need then is a pedestal.
Give me a call if you're interested, I'd be glad to help.
Just to recap - there's nothing "special" that needs to be done for a shore power hookup on the shore side? IE no special grounding, gfci, anything to help avoid stray currents? My buddy is looking to add a 30A hookup, I had assumed it would be more complicated than adding a dryer plug but sounds like it's the same?
Yes that is all you need to do to get "Shore Power" wire requirements may change depending on distance, but that is the basics. As far as safety, you may want to looking into grounding/bonding any steel on your dock, but that is beyond me.
Your friend may want to consider other power requirements in addition to the boat (i.e. dock lighting, standard GFCI receptacle, etc). In this case a small sub-panel would be a good idea as a distribution point
I work for Marina Power and Lighting, which manufactures power pedestals for this purpose. I can give you a little insight if you would like. Give me a call at 800-723-8009. My name is Kelly. The main details I would need to know are:
1) What current your friend has going out to the seawall right now (i.e. 20-amps, 30-amps, etc.). An easy way to tell is to find the circuit breaker which protects this circuit in your friend's panel.
2) How far is the seawall from the panel? This will dictate what size wire and ground you need to account for voltage drop.
You might get lucky and already have 30-amps running out there. The only thing you would need then is a pedestal.
Give me a call if you're interested, I'd be glad to help.
Harbor Lights, I just sent you a PM on a problem I hope you can help me with.
dockside electrical connections 
