DIY boat electrics

MJWB

MJWB

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Well, after a small number of years of boat ownership, poor work by some contractors, a general desire not to spend money having now retired, and found some wiring behind a panel which frankly looks like a bit of spaghetti (to me at least), I seriously must learn about boat electrics and possibly electronics. I'll start with electrics as I know very little indeed. Even watching many youtube videos I find intimidating. I do ask on here.
Can anyone please recommend a good way to approach this learning project? Is there a decent book covering the subject which is pitched at those who know very little?
Any help appreciated thanks.
 
This forum is a gold mine of information on boat electrics.

I rewired my entire boat from advice on here, I didn’t plan too fully rewire, but after talking and listening I realised my yachts old wiring was woeful, and in some places dangerous.

I’d suggest reading as many threads as possible and draw yourself a wiring diagram as step one.
 
Remember that not all spaghetti is bad and not all orderly wiring is good. The appearance may offend thy eye, but if the connections are good, there may be nothing wrong. Often it's best to look for actual problems first and only fix those. If you post pictures, expect the peanut gallery goes nuts.

If you have some things to add and the panel is crowded (likely), particularly if they are low amp (LED lighting and USB outlets), adding a small subpanel off one breaker is often a simpler way to go than a tear-out that gains nothing real.

Just look before you leap. And Nigel is a good read.
 
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As above +

Electrical organisation is made up of many very simple parts; but, together, these parts start to look like spaghetti! That is,unless you have spent your life in a highly disciplined environment. Wayward mortals like me start off with good intentions but somehow the spaghetti element creeps in.

I rewired my switch box. I carefully redesigned the area so that I could have the fused distribution board clearly visible at the back, and a fold down switch board at the front. I labelled every wire with a bit of tape and a biro. I carefully cable tied all the black wires in their path and similar with the red wires.
By the time I had finished I had the distribution board hidden behind all the wires running to all the parts of both boards, making changing a fuse fiddly. Plus all the labels have either dropped off or have faded!

I exaggerate for effect 🙂 And I have improved, especially thanks to Mr Rainbow's comments

Also, the fridge is wired independently from the bus, via an LED switch placed right by... the fridge. Innovation or what?
 
If you find video talks more accessible than reading books, but would like structure that YouTube tends to lack, aforementioned Nigel Calder and his colleague have great courses starting easy and building knowledge to a very DIY-competent level. Pricier than a book of course, but they’ll answer questions you have within a few days.

BoatHowTo - Expert Knowledge on Boat Electrics & Mechanics
 
Calder is very good, but IMO aimed at bigger boats (any canbus Centaurs out there?) and problems that those of us with less expansive boats aren't covered - like where exactly do you put all these required busbars? 😄
Still worth having though - I refer to my copy reasonably often still.
I quite like Pacific Yacht Systems (or something like) that, on YT for various electrical details, although it's all ABYC rules as he's American, but that's not all bad given the absence of rules or guidance this side of the pond.
 
Electrics Afloat by Alastair Garrod .... a PBO book.

ISBN : 0-7136-6149-6

Good illustrations ... good explanations especially about batterys and alternators (Lithium not covered - but that's no big deal) .... no need to be an electrical guru with such a book.

Far better than the 12v Bible .... 12v Doctors etc which I also have ...
 
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