Installing SmartPlug on R25

Baz,
I did this on my 29. The holes lined up perfectly, but had to file a little on the bottom of the hole from the original plug to fit it in. No problem though. One word of caution, the smart plug screws that hold the wires from the boat were tightened down so much from the factory that there was no way to loosen it without stripping the screw head. We actually had to get another (at no cost to me) after explaining what had happened. The owner of the company was informed and he supposedly called the factory to stop the practice of tightening them down so much. Good luck!
Rick and Becky
 
Good to know... thanks. I feel more comfortable now spending my brass. 🙂
 
I posted this elsewhere but seems more appropriate to post here as well.

In order to make the most of this conversion I will buy

1) SmartPlug Dual Configuration 50' Cord Set
2) SmartPlug Boatside/ShorePower Inlet & Connector
3) SmartPlug Weatherproof SmartPlug Cover

Buying Item 2) that includes the Connector will allow me to add the Connector onto my existing 50' traditional yellow Cord Set so that I have a backup Cord Set that's compatible with item 1).
 
Barry:

If you decide to go this route most West Marine stores will price match, just an FYI if this might be more convenient for you.

Let us know how it all turns out.

JIm F
 
A little off topic, but my experience is West Marine has always matched any price on legitimate suppliers. I just show them the item on my iphone from the website and then they ring up the less expensive price. The big advantage is you have it right away and no shipping costs!
Mike Rizzo
 
I priced the SmartPlug shopping list I mentioned using Defender and West Marine pricing

Defender: $322.97 (S&H $23.15) = $346.12

West Marine: $394.97 + $39 (9.8% sales tax) = $433.97

A difference of some $88, plus West Marine's web site claims the 50' cord set is out-of-stock.

I did call them on 800-262-8464 and they indicated no WM stores in my local area had the Cord set in stock. They indicated quite likely it would be 3 weeks before they had them in stock as they said there were 90,000 items 😱 in the local depot which had to be scanned in etc.

No matter, I will check with my local WM store about the price matching... always good to give business to the local economy, right ? 🙂

I'm attending the Points North Seminar this weekend so I will hold off until after the weekend while I make final check with the Ranger Tug folks who will be at the seminar to satisfy myself there's no compatibility issue between my R25 and the SmartPlug product.
 
Check Defender pricing again next week when the Warehouse sale starts. I am going to the sale on Friday. Per Defender:

Sale pricing will be available ONLINE & BY PHONE starting at 2 PM EDT Wednesday March 20th.

Howard
 
Will do... thanks Howard for that heads-up. 🙂
 
Wolf Pack (R29) has the Smart Plug boatside inlet as well as the 50 foot dual configuration cordset. However, since we have the bimini up most of the year, we opted not to add the weatherproof cover. Total cost from Defender was $249 plus shipping (no sales tax).

Note, I also modified my 12 foot, 30amp pigtail by replacing the plug with a 30amp boatside Smart Plug connector. We use this pigtail for our Honda 2000i generator. Cost from The Price Pros via Amazon was $55 plus shipping (again, no sales tax).

We did this a year ago and, fortunately, did not experience the stripped screws reported above in this thread.

Gene R
Wolf Pack
 
Sometimes ActiveCaptain newsletter will provide Defender coupons that can lower prices.... Haven't seen any in the AC newsletters of late for the SmartPlug though. 🙁 If you discover they do have let me know... 🙂
 
Gene: The SmartPlug Weatherproof SmartPlug Cover is used to cap the end of the Cord Set when not in use. This seems a worthy accessory IMO regardless of having a Bimini or not. I wonder if we are talking about the same 'weatherproof cover" ?
 
Yeah, my bad. Since I am basically lazy, we generally keep the boatside connected, even while underway (cordset goes with us, never stays at the dock). Since the cover is for the boatside end, we don't need it (since that end is usually plugged in). I could, however, use a cover for the shoreside end, but I don't see one of those listed in the Smart Plug available products brochure.

Gene R
Wolf Pack
 
Yea... I wonder why they don't provide a weatherproof cover for the shoreside end of the cord set.... weird that. I cannot or don't wish to leave my cord set attached on the R25 when underway as it's rather exposed being on the starboard outside just below and forward of the helm position. I always take my cord set with me when leaving the dock/marina as 1) you need it when docking at another marina and 2) leaving it behind on the dock exposes it to theft and that would be an expensive loss.

Having two cord sets is useful if a 50' is insufficient for reaching the shore power receptacle. Also, on some occasions when with other Ranger Tugs at marinas where we all tie up close together and shore power receptacles are few and far between an extra cord set can come in handy to extend the 50' to 100'. 🙂
 
Prices for my shopping list using Defender, West Marine and Fisheries Supplies web sites

Defender: $322.97 (S&H $23.15) = $346.12
Fisheries Supplies $367.37 + $36 (9.8% sales tax) = $403.37
West Marine: $394.97 + $39 (9.8% sales tax) = $433.97

So waiting to next week to see if Defender lowers their price further. 😉
 
I am a bit confused. What is the advantage of the smart plug. I watched the add and it seams it is just the convenience of an easier plug in at the boat side. Some of these posts say they leave the cord plugged in when underway so that equals no benefit. You still have to deal with the twist lock at the shore connector.

Am I missing something. Over 300 dollars to replace the boat side connector, removing a tried and true connector that is the standard of the industry. What happens if your cord set gets damaged while on a trip. You need to wait for a replacement to be sent to you. The standard cord is available everywhere. I bet you could even borrow an extra from someone at the dock.

Unless I am missing something I am going to put my $300 in the fuel tank and enjoy it.
 
Todd,
It is quite simple. The number one cause of boat fires while at a dock is the shore power plug. As the boat shifts around in the slip, the plug can move about. This causes excessive heat and possibly a short. If you should chose to remain with the old round plug, be sure that you secure the locking ring tightly when plugged in. Also examine the plug each time you remove it to see if there is any burning.

If I were having a new boat built, I would insist that a Smart Plug be used. We were one of the first Rangers to convert. It was the first thing I did when we got Destiny (She has two plugs.... double the cost).

I am not quite sure as to why boat builders have not converted yet.

David
 
1. It has a factor of safety beyond the traditional cord set for the boat side connector. This connector "contains a trip thermostat which cuts power at 200º F (just before wire insulation begins to soften)". See the following refs for substantiation of this.

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2011/12/smartplug_shore_power_system_has_its_time_come.html
http://www.navagear.com/2009/12/23/smartplug-upgrade-straightforward-worthwhile/
http://www.smartplug.com/blogs/

2. My 1st mate will have absolutely no problem connecting the cord set to the boat -- a big plus for me. let me tell you.

3. I likeeee the fact that the cord set is bright orange and IMO more easily seen and avoided on the dockside.

4. Provides peace of mind having the boat hooked up to power for extended unattended periods.

5. Possible Insurance discounting might be available.

6. Use old/existing traditional cord set to extend a new 25' or 50' SmartPlug cord set to 75' or 100'.

7. SmartPlug offers a 7 year warranty.

8. Cheap insurance against possible fire onboard.

9. For people with arthritis in the hands I suspect the SmartPlug is far easier to engage the boats power connector. I don't have arthritis in my hands but will say there are times when I've strained my fingers securing the lock ring and when unscrewing it as it can become stuck at times. Also, when I use the screw lock I use two hands normally while I should expect to use only one hand with the SmartPlug. This leaves one hand free to hold onto something as necessary such as the boat's handrail. There have been times when I use two hands to secure the lock ring and the boat moves away from the dockside and leaves me in a precarious position that could lead to me falling into the drink... 😉

10. The ease of securing the connector to the boat means in cold weather conditions the connection takes less time and possible is more secure -- just another safety aspect IMO.
 
Todd":12sltuxt said:
.... Some of these posts say they leave the cord plugged in when underway so that equals no benefit. You still have to deal with the twist lock at the shore connector.....
Click to expand...

Todd,

You are correct. There is no "benefit" to leaving the boatside connector plugged in while underway. However, there is the "advantage" of not having to stow the cordset and then dig it out again when we arrive at our destination since the shore end is simply coiled on the bow waiting to be plugged in to shore power when we dock. Like I said, I am basically lazy. Note, that I also used the same procedure (leaving the cordset plugged in boatside when underway) before I installed the Smart Plug. Either way, we have never had any issues doing this. Just makes less effort to plug in to shore power at the next destination.

Destiny and Barry have already explained the true benefits of the Smart Plug, so I will leave it at that.

Gene R
Wolf Pack
 
On an R25 the boat side shore receptacle is on the starboard outside just forward of the helm window. If the SmartPlug boat side connector or for that matter the traditional boat side connector is left attached while underway it presents a danger to a person scrabbling along to the bow. There's not much room there and tangling a foot on the attached connector and tripping is quite likely to happen. For this reason I would not leave the connector attached while under way. Even though either connector when attach securely is reasonably waterproof there's a danger for water to get into the connect/receptacle when in heavy weather conditions. Add to this that unless the cord set is secured to the boat it could fly off the deck and into the water presenting danger for fouling the running gear. I do leave lines coiled on the desk for easy access for docking purposes but I ensure they are 25' or less in length for the same reason to not foul the running gear if they dislodge and fall and dangle into the water.

It appears this 'tripping' issue is not a factor for the R27, R29 and R31s (not sure about the R25SC and R21)
 
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