MARINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEMINAR, INTRODUCTION
Cameron
<H3>By Cameron Clarke "S/V JUPITER"</H3>
While cruising the Pacific Coast, Mexico, Central America, and the
Caribbean, I conducted several hands-on seminars for cruising sailors
to learn about and improve their electrical systems. Over that time,
the seminar developed into an effective means to help others understand
their needs, their systems, and increase the level of safety relating
to marine electrical systems. The seminar resulted in many new
freindships, was popular and well received.
I now wish to present this same material to others, via a multi-part
posting of articles to help you understand and troubleshoot your boat's
electrical system. You will be better able to make necessary repairs,
increase the overall system efficiency, add a little to safety, and
enjoy your boat more. This self-directed seminar aims to help you
understand the material without diagrams or graphics. If you feel you
need the specific diagrams and graphics, you may request them. Send
<A HREF="mailto:cam...@unix.infoserve.net">mail to Cameron</A> and request "diagrams for marine seminar".
Copyright notice (C) 1995: No material presented may be copied in
whole or part without the express and prior written consent of the
author, myself outside this particular news group "rec.boats". This
will attempt to defeat revised or incomplete information from being
distributed.
The complete self-directed seminar will help you:
* Learn how to decrease your charging time and increase your
battery efficiency with simple, do-it-yourself wiring changes.
* Learn about your batteries. What types are best suited to your
application? Gel-cell verses liquid electrolyte. Learn about
Ni-cad and alkaline batteries. How to care for each of these.
* Learn about battery charging devices. What is good, bad, and how
are they different? Includes alternators, generators, shore power
chargers, wind power, and solar power.
* Learn about regulators and other charge controllers including
internal/external regulators, multi-state, by-pass, and shunt
types.
* Learn about "electrolysis", its causes and cures.
* Learn how to trouble shoot electrical problems with your multi-
meter.
* Learn preventive maintenance for your electrical system.
The material will be presented in 8 parts as follows:
Part 1: ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
This part examines proper Wire size for amp loads,
use of Ring Terminals, connections, resistance, and losses in
the wiring system. This is the most important material in this seminar.
If there is nothing else you learn in this material, you will benefit
most from this part. Concentrate on learning this part as it sets up
the understanding for all the following material.
Part 2: GROUNDS
Discussion on Alternator Ground, Protective Ground, Neutral
Conductor, and Bonding. What are their differences? Similarities?
Proper uses? The effectiveness of these can be measured and simple
improvements made to decrease charge time, and reduce electroylisis.
Part 3: BATTERIES
There are many types of batteries used on a boat, Lead Acid (liquid
electrolyte), Gel Cell (immobolized electrolyte), Ni-Cad, and Alkaline.
In this part, we discuss the application, usefullness, storage, and
charging characteristics of each.
Part 4: BATTERY CHARGING DEVICES
What types of battery charging devices are used on boats? Discussion
of Alternators & Generators, AC Transformers & Solid State "Automatic"
Chargers, Wind/Tow Generators, and Solar (Photo Voltaic) Panels. How
are they different? Which are effective? What precautions must be taken
for each?
Part 5: REGULATORS
Regulators control the amount of charge entering a battery,
preventing an overcharge condition. In this part we learn about
Internal vs. external types, remote sense options, Multi-state
regulators, By-pass & Shunt types.
Part 6: ELECTROLYSIS
This part examines the destroying effects of Galvanic Action, Hot
Grounds, Hot Marinas (including at anchor with generator), Ground Loops.
Learn how to measure and safeguard against these.
Part 7: POWER SOURCES and DISTRIBUTION
Somewhat different from Battery Charging devices, alternative power
sources discussion covers AC Shore Power, AC/DC Generators, Outlets,
and Isolation Transformers.
Part 8: QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
Questions or specific problems raised during the seminar will be
presented, along with discussion and possible solutions for all readers
to review and benefit from. I encourage you to mail in specific
questions about your particular needs or installations.
To obtain related graphics for all parts, or submit comments, send
<LI><A HREF="mailto:cam...@unix.infoserve.net">Mail to Cameron</A>
End "MARINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEMINAR, INTRODUCTION"