Learning Electrical Systems

[inarathree]

I want to learn more about electrical systems for my boat and future boats. What are some good guides, books, websites, lectures where I can learn. I have never really worried about power when sailing over night or spending the weekend out at one of the local islands. But now I see some 3 to 7 day cruises in my future, what do i need to be self sufficient? How do i calculate power requirements? So many questions, and i am sure i dont even know what to ask.

 

[Stu Jackson]

A good book is Charlie Wing's.

You could also read Maine Sail's material, go to the Forums tab, Featured Contributors.

I also put this together, Electrical 101:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html

Good luck, happy reading.

 

[TLW]

The 12 Volt Bible For Boats - Miner K. Brotherton -
Seven Seas Press/Intnl Marine Publishing
P.O.Box 220
Camden, ME 04843

 

[navigator97]

For DC Electrical Loads, make up a Spreadsheet (Excel) listing all of the equipment, including lighting, on the boat. Then next to each list in one column the Standby load current an in another column the operating load current. Then in another columns list the number of hours of on time for each item. From that you can then get the Amp-Hour Loading for each and sum it for a total in a day. That will give you a good estimate of the draw on your batteries and how often you need to run the engine to charge the batteries.

 

[inarathree]

Stu- i noticed that in your Energy Budget Sample PDF you only account for VHF being used a couple hours or less of your actual time out. When at sea, isnt this something that should be left on all the time? How about a chart plotter/gps? or AIS? I was thinking that a chart plotter/gps would only need to be used once maybe every 4 hours or so, just to validate course and direction.

And to all thanks for the information.

 

[Stu Jackson]

It's a sample spreadsheet from like 1998, I've adjusted it through the years. I also have a HH VHF, so this radio is almost never on anyway. I don't have radar or AIS.

The issue is NOT what hours are on the spreadsheet, but what actual use really is. Our battery monitor shows about 100ah per day, also pointed out in another link.

 

[Bob J.]

Good info, nice job!

 

[inarathree]

Stu thanks, i didnt mean to dive deep into the minutia, and miss the forest. Yes, nice job on the information.

 

[Sun Coast]

Anything by Nigel Coulder.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

These are all good self-help methods and resources. If you are in the mood for a classroom experience, contact your local United States Power Squadron unit. They have courses in Marine Electrical Systems and Marine Electronics. Go here and plug in your zip code: http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-nat/tools/pages.cgi?locates. USPS is all non-profit, volunteer boaters. I am a member and satisfied with the coursework.