Finally electricity is done...

[Marco Garcia]

Finally, I'm finished redoing the electricity of the boat!!!. I just stripped the old mess, designed a new floating ground system and did all the wiring. Everything seems to be working fine, and not a single fuse/breaker went off. I'm actually impressed with myself. It did take me about a year to do the learning, the design and the work itself (working only one day a week).

One of my three Trojan J185H seem to have shorted one cell. Well, we'll have to live with only two (about 500 AH) for the time being. Bringing another one to Seychelles would cost a small fortune..

Next projects: Engine and hydraulic propulsion system.

[Rob]

I'm not an electrical kind of guy. I needed to replace the lights on the outside of my house this week and even when I knew the breaker was off, freaks me out!

You may already know these things, but Discover Boating has a few checklists for getting ready for the boating season and ongoing. Maybe it's helpful for you and others?

[Marco Garcia]

Thanks L.O.L.A., if I can be of help with anything, just let me know. For boat electricity you likely won't need to learn much of the complicated stuff. Basic electrical concepts and tables to calculate voltage drops, ampacity, resistance, etc. are usually more than enough. A good book (I found Payne's book to be the most useful) would do wonders also. (Now I'm thinking about it might have been another book, need to check and I'll post back). Some things you have to be careful about to protect sensitive electronics (e.g. flyback currents from relay coils, or the engine starter). Other than that, good common sense when it comes to ensure wires won't get chafed or exposed, and good materials (thinned marine wire, DC brakers, etc.) is about it.

[LOLA]

Oh I admire you...I'm taking an electric course, and find it difficult...My hat off to you.