Help identify switch in 12V breaker box - 375 Freedom

[JustEnough]

I've been told there is no such thing as a stupid question but I cannot find info in any materials that mention what the white switch is for.

I was told it is "the breaker for the shore power inlet harness." That seems like a lot of juice for a small breaker so I "came to the mountain" for help.

Many thanks!

 

[seasick]

It doesn't look factory. I think it was added later and could be anything

 

[JustEnough]

It doesn't look factory. I think it was added later and could be anything

That's fascinating as it was the "factory" who said it is "the breaker for the shore power inlet harness."

 

[DennisG01]

Strange that it's not labelled if it is factory, though.

Flip the switch - the other side of the white part may have the amperage rating. If not, the rating is definitely on the backside (the "guts" of the switch). It very well could be 30a or 50a, though.

FYI, it would be 120V AC, not 12V DC. But that style could be used for AC, as well.

Usually, the main breaker for shore power should be located VERY close to the cord inlet. is it? Is there anything else at the cord inlet?

It's also strange that it's not noted in your owner's manual - did you look at the shore power section? Are there wiring diagrams in your manual? I could download one and take a look if you're not up to speed on that stuff.

But... does your shore power work/not work (or anything for that matter) in conjunction with the switch? Sometimes the easiest solution is to just try it

 

[DennisG01]

I just read what I wrote. Boy, that was a mumble-jumble bunch of thoughts! I hope it makes sense?

 

[wspitler]

My guess that is the galvanic isolator switch, but I'm surprised it is not labeled. That had to be missed at the factory and would never meet ABYC standards. It looks very similar to the switch (30A) on my 330. If that's what it is, it simply controls power into your 115V bus through the galvanic isolation circuitry.

 

[Fishtales]

Looks to be added as well. GW cuts corners but that isn't finished at all and they usually finish anything that can be seen.
It can't be that difficult. ID the wires and their color scheme. Try to follow and if you can only go so far, look for the colored wires. The isolator is usually under the gunnel, maybe someone moved it or there wasn't enough room. Either way, if that is how GW did it, I'd be very surprised.

 

[seasick]

I based my opinion on the roughness of the drilled hole. It is poorly finished. In addition the screws seem a tad less tarnished tan than the other screws. As mentioned the lack of a label is odd.
If it is a breaker for the shore power, that is easy to check assuming you can connect to shore power. Plug in shore power, turn the breaker on and see if any of the AC equipment works. Then flip the breaker and check again. If the switch is to disconnect/protect shore power, the AC gear won't run.

What year is the boat, if I may ask?

 

[JustEnough]

I based my opinion on the roughness of the drilled hole. It is poorly finished. In addition the screws seem a tad less tarnished tan than the other screws. As mentioned the lack of a label is odd.
If it is a breaker for the shore power, that is easy to check assuming you can connect to shore power. Plug in shore power, turn the breaker on and see if any of the AC equipment works. Then flip the breaker and check again. If the switch is to disconnect/protect shore power, the AC gear won't run.

What year is the boat, if I may ask?

Thank you all. Boat is 2017. There is nothing in the manual and I don't notice anything when I turn it on or off. I agree that the hole is surprisingly unfinished.

 

[SkunkBoat]

look at the wires. The AC inlet will be a Black wire on the breaker. You would be able to follow it to the shore power inlet or galvanic isolator. It would probably be a Black/White/Green triplex cable.

Its definitley not "factory" or it would be labeled like every other breaker is labeled.

Someone may have moved it from under the gunnel next to the galvanic isolator. Or they Added shore power after the the fact....


I'm pretty sure an unmarked AC breaker on a DC panel is a major no-no

 

[DennisG01]

Thank you all. Boat is 2017. There is nothing in the manual and I don't notice anything when I turn it on or off. I agree that the hole is surprisingly unfinished.

So with it off, your shore power still works properly?

I mentioned this above... what size is the breaker?

EDIT: I just took a quick look in your manual. Although I only looked quickly, I didn't see specifics about that battery switch panel that would explain that breaker. However, there absolutely is info in there about your shore power and the AC/DC main panel. Go to section 8 in your manual. That panel is totally separate/different from the battery switch panel - it should be obvious to you that the shore power panel looks nothing like what you pictured --- especially since you own the boat! --- in other words, I'm wondering why you are confusing that with the actual shore power controls? According to your manual your shore power breaker is on the main panel, right? Do you have one or two shore power cables?

 

[JustEnough]

So with it off, your shore power still works properly?

I mentioned this above... what size is the breaker?

EDIT: I just took a quick look in your manual. Although I only looked quickly, I didn't see specifics about that battery switch panel that would explain that breaker. However, there absolutely is info in there about your shore power and the AC/DC main panel. Go to section 8 in your manual. That panel is totally separate/different from the battery switch panel - it should be obvious to you that the shore power panel looks nothing like what you pictured --- especially since you own the boat! --- in other words, I'm wondering why you are confusing that with the actual shore power controls? According to your manual your shore power breaker is on the main panel, right? Do you have one or two shore power cables?

Thanks Captain - I do know the difference. My confusion is a result of an email exchange with Grady tech when I asked what the "white switch" is in the battery select box as it is not in materials nor is it labeled.

Their answer which totally bewildered me was: it is "the breaker for the shore power inlet harness." The boat has twin 30's. Thanks again.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Yep, no one here is going to be able to tell you what that is. Its not normal. Its not marked and it is not original from "factory" although it might be from "dealer".
We are all assuming its a shore AC power breaker based on your dealer's comment and the fact that it looks like the breaker they use on shore power inlet.
If its AC it does not belong there.
It is possible someone added a DC circuit and used that type of breaker

You are going to have to trace the wire to figure it out.

 

[JustEnough]

Yep, no one here is going to be able to tell you what that is. Its not normal. Its not marked and it is not original from "factory" although it might be from "dealer".
We are all assuming its a shore AC power breaker based on your dealer's comment and the fact that it looks like the breaker they use on shore power inlet.
If its AC it does not belong there.
It is possible someone added a DC circuit and used that type of breaker

You are going to have to trace the wire to figure it out.

Thank you. To clarify - the "answer" came from the factory not a dealer. "That is the breaker for the shore power inlet harness."

I'll trace the wires and report back.

 

[Fishtales]

I’d take a picture and send to GW Cust Service and ask them to tell you what it is for.

 

[JustEnough]

I’d take a picture and send to GW Cust Service and ask them to tell you what it is for.

That is exactly what I did. Same picture I attached here.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Thank you. To clarify - the "answer" came from the factory not a dealer. "That is the breaker for the shore power inlet harness."

I'll trace the wires and report back.

Wow. Well, I can understand someone saying that based on the breaker because thats what they look like and thats exactly what i though when I saw it.
I am surprised that, like all the Grady owning commenters above, they didn't also say "Thats not supposed to be there!". I have an old Grady and I've never seen a 375 but if thats from the factory they are in trouble....

 

[drbatts]

Only way you are going to know is to open the panel and look. Good news is that on the newer gradys all of the wiring from the factory is labeled. That being said I agree that this doesn't look like it came from the factory. You can easily rule out the galvanic isolator by looking under the gunnels, as that is where grady usually puts them.

 

[glacierbaze]

What year is the boat, and are you the original owner? If not, do you have contact info for previous owners?

 

[Aquanut2]

I agree looks aftermarket open the panel and follow the wires. I found many 1/2 way done or vacant wiring from 2 previous owners on my 04 marlin. Pulled out everything that went nowhere