Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook

by Wing, Charlie

• ISBN13: 9780071446440
• ISBN10: 0071446443
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-02-28
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press

Summary

Keep your boat's electrical systems running and reliable"Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbookis perfect for learning how your boat's electrical system and much of its equipment works, and it will be an invaluable guide when adding equipment as well. This book needs to be in every boater's library as a ready reference on how to make effective repairs and modifications that comply with ABYC standards."Ed Sherman, Senior Instructor and Curriculum Designer, American Boat and Yacht Council"A definitive technical book that is easy to read. Buy this book and throw out the rest."Motorboat & YachtingWhether you take to the sea under power or sail, bounce around the bay in your runabout, or cross oceans in your cruiser, you'll find everything you need to maintain, repair, and upgrade your boat's DC and AC electrical systems with this comprehensive and fully illustrated guide.Tackle onboard electrical projects and learn how to: Meet ABYC standards for both DC and AC wiring Install solar- and wind-power systems Add electrical components Prevent corrosion of your electrical system . . . and more

Author Biography

Charlie Wing received his Ph.D. in oceanography from MIT, where he later worked as a research scientist. He has written a dozen books on home building and five top-selling boating books.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Ed Sherman
Introduction	1	(1)
Basic DC Circuits	2	(12)
What Electricity Is
Ohm's Law
Loads
Sources
Practice Problems
DC Measurements	14	(12)
Analog Test Instruments
Digital Test Instruments
Digital vs. Analog Test Instruments
Homemade Testers
Troubleshooting
Batteries	26	(22)
What Is a Battery?
A Few Messy Details
Electrical Model of Batteries
Monitoring Battery Health
Discharge Characteristics
Charging Characteristics
Charging Recommendations
Estimating Your Daily Load
Choosing a Battery Type
Optimum Depth of Discharge
Sizing the Alternator
Series vs. Parallel
Battery Boxes
ABYC Standards for Batteries
Alternators	48	(22)
A Galley Alternator
A Rotary Current Machine
Rectification
Controlling the Alternator
Type-P and Type-N Alternators
Powering the Voltage Regulator
Regulator Bypass Controls
Link 2000-R Charge Controller
Charging Setups
Alternator Installation
Troubleshooting
Bonding	70	(22)
What Is Bonding?
Lightning Protection
Corrosion Protection
Stray-Current Protection
To Bond or Not to Bond
Sizing the Anode(s)
Testing Your Protection
Noncathodic Corrosion
The ABYC on Cathodic Protection
DC Standards and Practices	92	(22)
Wiring Diagrams
Marine Wire
ABYC DC Load Calculation
Allowable Conductor Amperage
Allowable Voltage Drop
Identification and Installation
Overcurrent Protection
Conductor Connections
Ignition Protection
AC Basics	114	(14)
Alternating Current
Power Factor
AC Safety
Grounding
Conductor Identification
Transformers
AC Measurements
Troubleshooting AC Circuits
Checking Polarity
Inverters and Generators	128	(16)
Why Have AC Power?
Figuring Your AC Budget
Inverters
Transfer Switching
Generators
Toubleshooting Generators
AC Standards and Practices	144	(38)
Shore Power
Generator and Inverter Sources
Main Panelboard
AC Load Calculations
Overcurrent Protection
Approved Wire and Cable
Ampacity Tables
Conductor Installation
The Green Wire
Approved Shore-Power Circuits
Conservation for Liveaboards	182	(12)
Costs per Kilowatt-Hour
Lighting Savings
Refrigeration Savings
Other Savings
Solar Power	194	(14)
Is Solar for You?
How Photovoltaics Work
Photovoltaic Panels
Interpreting Specifications
Panel Orientation
Estimating Output
Mechanical Installation
Electrical Installation
Rules for Solar Success
Wind Power	208	(14)
Is Wind Power for You?
Getting Power from the Wind
How Much Wind Is There?
Estimating Daily Output
Specifications
Electrical Installation
Mechanical Installation
Water Generators
Installing Electronics	222	(16)
Antennas
Antenna Cable and Connectors
Moisture Protection
VHF Radio
GPS and SSB
Radar
Receiver/Transmitter Installation
Harnessing Electrical Noise
Electrical Filters
Do-It-Yourself Projects	238	(20)
Passive Circuit Components
Active Circuit Components
Projects
Appendices	258	(12)
Other Wiring Standards
English/Metric Conversions
Temperature Conversions
Power Conversions
Resistance of Copper Wire
Losses in Coaxial Cables
Wiring Color Codes
Useful Electrical Formulas
Identifying Resistors
Identifying Capacitors
Trigonometric Tables
Glossary	270	(6)
Index	276