[jerryy]

I plan to run power to my boat dock from my house. I will have two three way switches in the circuit so I can turn it on either from the dock or the house. The switches will control a light and a receptacle on the dock. I plan to use an underground type wire with three wires between the two switches.How do I wire it so the receptacle is hot all the time?
Secondly I want a wire from my dock to a nearby pump and control it by a switch on a two wire conduitto the pump. How do I do that?(ie how do I tie in the single hot switch to the other circuit0? Also do I need another feed wire (2 vs 3 wire)from the house?

[chabat]

I am no electrician, you may want to consult one.

But I would run 2 wires (each with its own breaker) from my breaker box on my house:

1. A wire like 12/2 Underground Rated from house to dock that is always hot for pump etc. You can put a switch at the dock. Use GFCI plugs or GFCI circuit breaker to protect from electrical shock in damp/outdoor conditions.

2. A 2nd 12/2 circuit for lights. Wire from service panel to 3 way switch on house to dock with 2nd 3-way switch. You can get a book on basic wiring that helps show all the connections and wiring diagram on 3 way switches. Try Half.com for cheap books or your local Home Depot or Lowe's.


Depending on how far the dock is from your breaker box, you may have to use larger wire than 12/2. You can find charts at a home center in the electric dept, or in a wiring book, or ask an electrician.

If you have never done any wiring get help from an electrician or someone who is knowledgeable. Electricity is dangerous and deserves respect. If you have any doubts about anything, I would let someone do it for you or help you do it.

Respectfully,
Chris

[labman]

It can be done. You will have to run the 3 wire cable from the house to the boat dock. It might be as cheap or cheaper to run two 2 wire with ground cables to the dock. Any good household repair book should give wiring diagrams for it. I checked my ancient Readers Digest 'Complete do It Yourself Manual'. It gave 2 switches and an always hot outlet.

[GermanDAWG]

I haven't spent a lot of time on this question but you would need 5 wires from the house to dock for the outlet to be hot all the time. You would need two travelers for the 3 way switches, one constant hot, one nuetral for the lights and the outlet and one ground wire. You can also run 4 wires to the dock and drive a ground wire at the dock and connect the outlets to the ground rod. The following diagram is crude but may help...



--------------------Nuetral--------------------------------------------------------o
o-------------------o I
-----------o/ 3 Way Switch \o----------------LIGHT-----------------------o
o-------------------o I
I
-----------------Constant Hot-----------------RECEPTACLE---------------------o

[donf]

Jerry,

What you are asking for is within reason, however, there is an awful lot you are leaving out.

Critical issues are:

1) How far from the house to the dock?
2) What type pump is it. Gasoline, water, waste (sanitation), bilge?
3) What is the anticipated amperage load for each circuit?
4) What is the voltage and amperage for the pump?
5) Will you be using a GFCI breaker or a GFCI outlet with a pass-through the lamp?

Can you help us please?

[Stratmando]

I would use PVC, no 2 conductors, at least 3(You need a ground). From the house you need a hot, neutral, ground, and 2 tralellers, you don't need one for light unless you wanted to have a light at the dock, AND the house. If a long run, you may need to go to #10 or larger, but still on a 20 amp breaker.
The pump may need it own power(2 more conductors from house.

[Stratmando]

Just saw this is a 5 year old post. Wonder what he did?

[hkstroud]

Sold his boat. :D :D:D