12V electrics ... HELP!!

Re: 12V soldering iron ...

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12V irons ...

[/ QUOTE ] This discussion on soldering irons has got little to do with the original question but..... if you do use a 12volt one run the engine while using it. Boosting the volts from 12 and a bit to around 14 can make all the difference (Remember that power is prortional to volts squared!)

I use a gas heated one. I heat it on the gas ring!
 
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personally I wouldnt bother with books - mostly they are as boring as h*ll. instead, just learn as you install bits in the boat. but have in mind that its pretty simple or most electricians couldnt do it!

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Errr well I think that's probably quite irresponsible advice actually.

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You forgot to mention insulting to us sparkies

Bernie , I doubt there will be anything but sense in the PM from FullCircle so I won't add any more to the confusion already here

If you need help or advice give me a ring
 
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You forgot to mention insulting to us sparkies

[/ QUOTE ]I thought "sparkies" were radio operators whereas "leckies" were electricians.

Tom
 
Nope , sparkies of the radio operator types wore the insignia but were only ever capable of operating and breaking the kit , but they were still connected to the trade , they were the breakers of kit but the skilled workers were the fixers , and the fixers were also known as sparkies , not just leckies
The difference is in ability and knowledge
 
radio operators of the old school would delve in and fix, they probably built the set or were intimately acquainted with the kit and replacing valves or rewiring, changing potentiometers etc. I know I could do most of that with my early sets, but I had an father who came from RAF so it was normal upbringing, even though he was only a pilot. The earliest was about age 6 when he had me building ever more complicated crystal receivers.
 
In Aviation the electrics/ instrument /radio specialists are known as the "Queer Trades" while all the rest are the "Black Handers"

Back to the original poster. The basic electrics can be fairly simple. But all the variations and permutations take a bit of keeping up with. Don't let it dismay you just keep trying to do and understand. olewill
 
Wasn't aware ( or possibly forgot ) your RAF connection
Yes , in the early days , if anything went wrong it was all hands to the pump and anyone with practical knowledge of electrics and electronics would pile in , but that was back when people grew up playing with crystal sets and basically learning for themselves
The all hands to the pumps situation was replaced by the introduction of the flight engineer , and that position has , on newer aircraft , been replaced by computers

Apologies for the thread drift Bernie , as usual /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
I've had 12V soldering irons that broke. Now have a gas one which is great, esp for work away from the batteries, bow roller or stern light. Only $A30 so not much more than a 12V one. Still haven't had to refill it after a couple of years use.
 
I find that gas soldering irons don't get hot enough outside in the winter here. I find a 240v one on a small inverter is best.
 
Not all gas soldering irons are the same! I had several that looked promising but leaked gas and rapidly failed completely. The one I use now (see above) is more powerful than a typical mains iron and much more usable on a boat. It has made 100's of joins and cut 100's of ropes and is going strong. One gas fill lasts for a lot of soldering. They also make a more powerful version for seriously heavy-duty soldering.

I have never had any success with 12V irons, although, of course, it all depends how powerful they are. Mains via inverter is OK, but you are tied to a wire. And for both, by definition, the more powerful they are, the more they suck your batteries.

I consider it 1 of my key tools to carry onto a new boat, after leatherman, multimeter and boat-knife.
 
Bernie,

If you want some practical input, Tony Brooks runs a 2 day "Electrics for boaters" course at Royal Harwich YC (in conjunction with the CA) each year. I did the course last year, and it is first rate - very hands-on. The next one is on 27th & 28th October - £145 for non-members.

cheers

John
 
All of Don Casey's books are brilliant: concise and easy to understand, especially the one on electrics. IMHO you do not need to use a soldering iron except for attaching VHF connectors. A better, stronger option is crimping. Buy a double ratchet good quality crimper.
 
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