If you were attending a Marine Basic Electrical Seminar (roughly 2 hours) what type of content would you like to see addressed? What would be most important to you?
Basic Electrical Seminar Content
- Thread starter Maine Sail
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I will leave possible topics to others for the time being.
No matter the eventual topics - it seems logical to to present considering (1) safety, (2) reliability, (3) convenience - in that order. For example if the topic were main feeds to/from battery banks - emphasis might be (1) fuse at the battery; (2) correct wire size; (3) diagrams and wire labels.
Topics are better retained if students are told why things are done - in addition to how to do them.
Charles
No matter the eventual topics - it seems logical to to present considering (1) safety, (2) reliability, (3) convenience - in that order. For example if the topic were main feeds to/from battery banks - emphasis might be (1) fuse at the battery; (2) correct wire size; (3) diagrams and wire labels.
Topics are better retained if students are told why things are done - in addition to how to do them.
Charles
MS
for me, the best would be an explanation of how boat electrical is different than house electric. Then a 12v over view, then the 110 over view. Now how a boat has both and how they work together to provide the needs of the boat.
that may be a days worth, but 2 hours of solid information would address a lot of the basics.
thanks for asking.
for me, the best would be an explanation of how boat electrical is different than house electric. Then a 12v over view, then the 110 over view. Now how a boat has both and how they work together to provide the needs of the boat.
that may be a days worth, but 2 hours of solid information would address a lot of the basics.
thanks for asking.
Kind of depends on how much basic electrical knowledge is already in the audience. You could spend 2 hours just explaining AC and DC and how to measure with a multimeter.
But I would like to see main feeds from the battery to the selector switch and main panel. AC wiring to make sure proper grounding and risk of electrocution. Then some discussion on charging and starting systems. You shouldn't need to spend time on the branch circuits in the boat for either AC or lighting. You might want a little on how to connect a water pump or bilge pump with proper connectors and shrink fit tubing.
But I would like to see main feeds from the battery to the selector switch and main panel. AC wiring to make sure proper grounding and risk of electrocution. Then some discussion on charging and starting systems. You shouldn't need to spend time on the branch circuits in the boat for either AC or lighting. You might want a little on how to connect a water pump or bilge pump with proper connectors and shrink fit tubing.
The question(s) that keep coming up.
How do I wire my alternator, shorepower charger and solar panels? And the good old 1-2-B switch and it's evil cousin the DCP.
How do I wire my alternator, shorepower charger and solar panels? And the good old 1-2-B switch and it's evil cousin the DCP.
ANY electrical seminar and particularly a marine oriented one should have a heavy focus on safety, common mistakes, hazard recognition and emergency procedures.
Zinc's
As well as the suggestions above, some info on identifying why zinc's are being consumed too quickly and what to do about it would be helpful.
Mike
As well as the suggestions above, some info on identifying why zinc's are being consumed too quickly and what to do about it would be helpful.
Mike
I've attended a few so called diesel seminars at the the Annapolis Boat Show that were such a complete waste of time I no longer attend any seminars.
Two hours is too short to teach very much. You could admit that and tell them to start with a really basic book such as Don Casey's Sailboat Electrics Simplified or your choice of course, even if you don't completely agree with everything in the book.
To be really useful, you might want to use the two hours to tell the folks what you want them to know and do. I don't know what that is, but it might be two things. First, briefly how to understand the wiring on their boat -- how to trace, document and label what is there and why that is useful. Second, briefly what a well wired boat should look like.
Two hours is too short to teach very much. You could admit that and tell them to start with a really basic book such as Don Casey's Sailboat Electrics Simplified or your choice of course, even if you don't completely agree with everything in the book.
To be really useful, you might want to use the two hours to tell the folks what you want them to know and do. I don't know what that is, but it might be two things. First, briefly how to understand the wiring on their boat -- how to trace, document and label what is there and why that is useful. Second, briefly what a well wired boat should look like.
Keep the Basic class very basic. 12/24 volts for beginners. You can always have an advanced class (110v, solar) at a later date. Show them a basic schematic, describe the parts of the system, current flow, safety features, options (led vs. incand., battery types (flooded, AGM), etc. That should give them a good start.
basic electricity, both AC and DC. The whole electricity is like plumbing thing to explain volts, amps and resistance/voltage drop. How to use a multimeter to determine faults/test equipment.
I'd venture that if you are attending such a course the audience is one that has NO knowledge and is seeking to use this knowledge to fix a broken boat not determine the (for instance) safe wire size to use for a inverter/inverter sizing/and keep in inside the ABYC rules.
They would want to replace a part that broke and to do that they need a heavy dose of the basics and how to diagnose not a lot of ABYC nonsense that is of minimal use to them
FWIW
I'd venture that if you are attending such a course the audience is one that has NO knowledge and is seeking to use this knowledge to fix a broken boat not determine the (for instance) safe wire size to use for a inverter/inverter sizing/and keep in inside the ABYC rules.
They would want to replace a part that broke and to do that they need a heavy dose of the basics and how to diagnose not a lot of ABYC nonsense that is of minimal use to them
FWIW
I aasume when you say basic, you would be presenting to new owners or those with very little knowledge.
You may want to do an overview of how the electrical all works on the boat. Basic electrical requirements, AH and how it relates to batteries, battery charging and types of charging. Most people understand electrical as something that powers the light when they flip the switch at home or keeps the beer fridge cold... and see it as an endless supply, similar to the water faucet.
I would not get into actual wiring etc. and leave that for more advanced.
You may want to do an overview of how the electrical all works on the boat. Basic electrical requirements, AH and how it relates to batteries, battery charging and types of charging. Most people understand electrical as something that powers the light when they flip the switch at home or keeps the beer fridge cold... and see it as an endless supply, similar to the water faucet.
I would not get into actual wiring etc. and leave that for more advanced.
Wire sizes required for voltage losses. Proper grounding and bonding. Wind and solar wiring and regulating.
Ray
Ray
And before youall flame me on "...ABYC nonsense..." I'd point out that parts replacement usually is more a matter of figuring out if the part is bad and why it went bad and not so much a massive change in the boat electrical configuration. ie if the solenoid on the LPG line goes out the individual is not going to throw out the whole gas containment vessel he is going to replace the solenoid.
Basic.. Two hours .. not a lot of time for the good stuff.. Start with use of the multimeter.. then troubleshooting and fixing (proper crimp fittings with proper connectors) basic circuits.. then battery care and maintenance/sizing/charging/ .. Then the AC side ..
A light touch on electrolysis might be good too.
A light touch on electrolysis might be good too.
After re-reading your initial question "what is most important to me"?
I'd have to say the new concepts in lightining protection, HF radio grounding (copper strapping vs hull ground) and what the heck is the deal with marina grounding systems causing electrocution of swimmers in the nearby waters.
most likely the 301 course
I'd have to say the new concepts in lightining protection, HF radio grounding (copper strapping vs hull ground) and what the heck is the deal with marina grounding systems causing electrocution of swimmers in the nearby waters.
most likely the 301 course
Each one of those is more than 2 hours.....
I do touch on the AC/DC ground bond and why it is important but in a short course can't dig to deeply other than to show how to test for it and make sure it is there.
If I'm in the audience, bring a big mallet to try to pound it thru my thick skull.
2 hours can only scratch the surface. But that relationship of volts to amps to current, if you can make even me understand that completely, you did something. Good luck!
2 hours can only scratch the surface. But that relationship of volts to amps to current, if you can make even me understand that completely, you did something. Good luck!
Maybe.....the importance of clean, and dry connections. Two hours of "basic" electronics is gonna be tough to do for someone with an advanced knowledge of such, (I know). Just the difference of the plus wire, and the minus wire is beyond some people.
But like said, grounds. That's important and basic. Don't put tweezers in sockets? I'm sorry Maine, couldn't resist.
But yes, leave 110 alone. Ohm's law would be a mind blower for basics. 12v lights would be the max. You've truly got a heart of gold, man. Teaching, uugh...
But like said, grounds. That's important and basic. Don't put tweezers in sockets? I'm sorry Maine, couldn't resist.
But yes, leave 110 alone. Ohm's law would be a mind blower for basics. 12v lights would be the max. You've truly got a heart of gold, man. Teaching, uugh...
our conversation about max ampacity, breaker sizing, and voltage drop. plus proper 110v grounding. those are the two things I most often find people don't understand.
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