Powerboater s Guide to Electrical Systems

Edwin Sherman9780071485500, 0071485503

Understand, troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade your boat’s electrical systems
Frustrated by the high cost of basic electrical work but nervous about tackling such projects yourself? Get sound advice and guidance from author Ed Sherman, who wrote and teaches the American Boat & Yacht Council’s certification program for electrical technicians. In Powerboater’s Guide to Electrical Systems, he combines basic theory with step-by-step directions for troubleshooting problems, making repairs, and installing new equipment. Learn to Draw up a wiring diagram for your boat Locate and identify wiring and circuit components Select and use a multimeter Choose and maintain battery and marine ignition systems Troubleshoot starting, charging, and instrument problems Install DC and AC marine accessories, equipment, and electronics
“Ed Sherman’s nationally recognized expertise in electrical systems in boats makes him a natural choice to train and certify marine electricians. . . . He believes, as I do, that doing it right the first time will surely enhance your boating experience.”–C. T. “Skip” Moyer III, Past President, American Boat & Yacht Council

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Table of contents :
Contents……Page 6
Foreword to the Second Edition……Page 9
Preface to the Second Edition……Page 11
Introduction……Page 12
Electrical Circuits……Page 15
Ohm’s Law and What It Can Tell Us……Page 19
Voltage Drop……Page 22
Circuit Problems and How They Occur……Page 23
Tools……Page 24
The Trouble with Boats……Page 26
Common Symbols……Page 27
Component Identification……Page 28
Wire Identification and the ABYC Color Code……Page 29
Expanding the Basic Circuit……Page 33
Locating Components……Page 34
Drawing Your Own Wiring Diagram……Page 36
Selecting a Multimeter……Page 39
Using Your Multimeter……Page 44
Measuring Amperage……Page 48
Measuring Resistance and Continuity……Page 51
ABYC Standards and Recommendations……Page 54
Basic Wiring……Page 55
Wire Size……Page 56
Wire Insulation……Page 57
Fuses and Circuit Breakers……Page 60
Ignition Protection……Page 66
Testing Fuses and Circuit Breakers……Page 67
Levels of Circuit Protection……Page 68
Acceptable Locations for Fuses and Circuit Breakers……Page 69
Wire Routing and Support……Page 71
Connecting the Dots: Making Wiring and Connection Repairs……Page 73
Basic Chemistry……Page 79
Types of Lead-Acid Batteries……Page 80
Which Battery Is Right for You?……Page 83
Battery Safety……Page 86
Battery Maintenance and Testing……Page 88
Battery Installations……Page 90
Testing Your Batteries……Page 96
Alternator Basics……Page 100
Alternator Problems……Page 101
Outboard-Engine Charging Systems……Page 108
Shore-Power Battery Charging Systems and Installations……Page 110
Solar Cells……Page 113
Ignition-System Components……Page 114
Outboard and PWC Ignition Systems……Page 117
Maintaining Ignition Systems……Page 118
MerCruiser Thunderbolt IV and Thunderbolt V Systems……Page 121
Beyond the Basics: Outboard and PWC Ignition Systems……Page 124
Outboard and PWC Ignition Tests……Page 126
Testing Your Stop Switch……Page 133
Final Checks and Ignition Timing……Page 134
Coast Guard Regulations for Starter Motors……Page 137
Starter-Motor Problems and Solutions……Page 138
Troubleshooting Starter-Motor Circuits……Page 139
Outboard-Engine Starter Circuits……Page 142
Testing the Neutral-Safety Switch……Page 146
Engine Ignition Switch……Page 147
Other Outboard-Engine Starter-Motor Problems……Page 149
Before You Begin……Page 150
Installing a New Cabin Light……Page 153
Installing a New Bilge Pump……Page 154
Adding a New Compact-Disc Player……Page 158
Common Instrument Interpretation Problems……Page 161
Abnormal Instrument Readings……Page 162
General Instrument Troubleshooting……Page 163
The Future……Page 169
What Is Alternating Current?……Page 170
AC Safety……Page 171
Color Coding for AC Wiring……Page 172
Comparisons between AC and DC Circuits……Page 173
AC Overcurrent Protection……Page 176
Basic AC Outlet Connections……Page 178
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters……Page 180
Checking Voltage, Continuity, and Polarity on AC Circuits……Page 181
Selecting a DC-to-AC Inverter……Page 184
AC Generators……Page 189
Galvanic Isolators……Page 191
Universal Installation Details……Page 194
Power Supply……Page 196
Installing a VHF Radio……Page 197
The Coaxial Question……Page 198
Installing a Fish-Finder or Depth-Sounder……Page 200
Installing a GPS Receiver……Page 204
Installing Your Own Radar……Page 205
C……Page 207
D……Page 208
G……Page 209
L……Page 210
R……Page 211
T……Page 212
W……Page 213
Resources……Page 214
A……Page 215
C……Page 216
E……Page 217
I……Page 218
M……Page 219
S……Page 220
T……Page 221
W……Page 222
Z……Page 223