Upgrading AC cable

My Gulf 32, like yours, was built with what was probably the common AC cable of the day in 1988. I don't know if there was tinned cable available back then, but there sure is now. When I installed the new SmartPlug system a bit ago, I noticed and mentioned that the end that connected to the old plug looked like it had heat damage. I made a mental note to replace it ASAP. 

Original AC cable. Note heat damage and brittle covering

I did that today. 

I bought enough Ancor Flat Triplex 10/3 cable to do most of the boat, but am starting with the easiest to access and most critical part that carries the most load. From my research the 10/3 cable seemed the best size, capable of safely carrying all AC loads that well surpass the breaker I have installed. On a Gulf 32 the stretch of AC cable between the shore power and the inside power panel is relatively easy to access. 

Ancor 10/3 tinned cable 

Several years ago I installed an AC breaker between the shore power connection and the panel, to protect against various potential fire causing problems. You can read about that in an earlier post here. The old cable looks adequately sized, but is now 43 years old and was not tinned to begin with. Between the shore power connection and my breaker, the cable is held up by several mounting cable ties that hold cables together and keep them out of trouble. I keep a bag of these on Aeolus as they are often enough used. 

I used No Ox ID on the connection ends, even though they are tinned. Practical Sailor has done several studies that show it to be the among the best at preventing corrosion and oxidation. 

Sometime soon I will go back and replace the section between the breaker and the power panel. After that, I might slow down as getting new cable to each of my outlets will be tricky. I feel good about upgrading this bit of the system, as it is one less thing to worry about causing a boat fire.