Thoughts on Shore Power Mods-265X

[SkunkBoat]

I am considering updating the shorepower on my 265x. 30A Receptacle, inlet breaker and Galvanic Isolator are all original.
New spec is an ELCI 30A breaker and a Fail-Safe galvanic Isolator(Promariner FS30).
I never had a water heater and I removed the microwave (and the DC refrigerator) for the more valuable storage space years ago.
The only use I have for AC is the onboard battery charger. I never used it last season. I usually run often enough to keep batteries well charged.
We do run the lights at night when dock fishing but I can resolve that by using an AC drop light....or a solar/battery flood light mounted on piling....
In a pinch can I run a standard extension chord from the dock to the charger(still has an AC plug). Of course, running an extension bypasses the Galvanic Isolator and exposes me to the possibily of eating up zincs.

So I really don't have any pressing reason to start this project other than OCD...
Oh, actually, I need to mount a 0 deg swivel rodholder where the galvanic Isolator is under the stbd gunnel....thats what got me looking at this.
So I do have to move that or remove it...

Last year while troubleshooting something I stumbled across a GFCI receptacle under helm that was rusted to shi...

If I was to go ahead with replacing things, I would move a lot of parts nearer to the AC panel.


As a side note: I really don't understand Grady's AC layout. Why Inlet on stbd side to panel on port side? Why a home run to the farthest GFI outlet and then daisy chain back? they could have saved A LOT of expensive wire.

 

[Hookup1]

How bad is the original wire from the shore power connection? If it were mine I would leave shore power and isolator where they are (install new ones?) and maybe pull a new feed to inside panel. It's a lot of work to move it and for me it wouldn't have a payback.

My outlets are handy for charging things and to plug in vacuum and power tools like heat string gun or soldering gun. All my outlets were original and in poor shape. Since the wiring is stranded they used crimped ring terminals (can be tabbed in with solder too). Wiring was good except a few terminals that had to be replaced. I replaced all my outlets with new ones, two with USB ports. Cockpit outlet was replaced too with better mounting and new outdoor cover plate.

Water heater removed (used for bow thruster/windlass battery charger) and microwave removed (12 VDC/120VAC refrigerator conversion).

Overall the 268 wiring layout works for me.

 

[SkunkBoat]

The new style FS30 Galv Isolator is much bigger than original and won't mount to bottom of gunnel in same place.
And, I need to move the original in any case so I can mount a rodholder(fishing is the highest priority!)

So either I move it somewhere or just disconnect and don't use AC.

The new style ELCI needs to be within 11 ft of inlet. If I move the inlet, I get better dry places to mount things. I could even just replace the AC Main breaker on the cabin panel with an ELCI.
It also won't fit inside the old housing under the gunnel.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Some parts research...












This is a good deal!!!

 

[dogdoc]

One of the first things I did on my boat was to pull all the non functional ac stuff. Cook top, microwave, fridge and the entire ac panel in the cabin. Made a dc panel to replace old ac/dc panel. I did leave the wire from the original 30 amp plug to the cabin bulkhead as a just in case. Have not pulled the outlets in the cabin but will someday. Micro and fridge removal gave nice storage cubbies. I pulled the 30 amp plug under starboard gunnel and original galvanic isolator just forward of the plug. At that point the only ac on the boat would go to the battery charger a 30 pronautic. I put a 20 amp marinco ac power inlet under the port gunnel and mounted the isolator high in the battery compartment just behind. I do not dock for long anywhere but the backyard lift, but carry and extension cord on the boat just in case. If I need ac on the lift I just unplug the cord to the marinco and voila ac as needed.
My problem with ac is the gfi plug on the dock. Nuisance trips are a pain, especially when we are gone for extended periods up north (3 mos). This could be a disaster if batteries die from pumps running. When gone I plug into a regular outlet, but do not like not have gfi near the water. Suggestions?