Merlin Equipment Electrical kits.

[jimbouy]

Has anyone used one of merlins"complete" kits to add or upgrade electrics on board.

Basically I have to add a second battery and proper electrics to my Centaur.

The Merlin kits seem to compare favourably to buying all the parts from Index marine.

Even more so if there's a deal to be had at SBS.


Jim

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[BrendanChandler]

Hi Jim,
Do you have a Web Address for this kit as I am interested in the same thing.

Brendan

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http://hometown.aol.co.uk/brendanchandler/index.html

 

[jimbouy]

Hi


go to http://www.merlinequipment.com/industries.cfm. (Sorry can't be bothered to remember how to make an active link.)

Click on complete systems. They do various kits according to requirements.

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[jon]

I have bought the S200 intermediate complete kit c/w Dolphin all in one charger/shore power unit and galvanic isolator for my self build project, I went for the ready assembled option to save time and it all looks great quality, can not say how it performs as have yet to connect it up!!

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[maxi]

How do you get any pricing information out of Merlin ~ very frustrating to deal with to the extent that it sends me elsewhere.

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[jimbouy]

ok. Flashy web site but not the most helpful.

go to there www address. http://www.merlinequipment.com

then.
Products
Marine
Complete electrical systems
sailing boat standard systems
read the descriptions and the scroll right down
click the link for the desired system and the scroll to the bottom of that page and download the pdf files, pricing info is in the files together with description etc.

The only thing that confuses me is that in their guide to split charging, find that if you can, they sing the praises of VSR's yet their basic and intermediate systems don't make use of them.

I'd be interested to see what you, and others, think. I really like the idea of buying the parts as a kit, know ing everything is suited , and presuably with some back up.

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[James_Hortop]

Hi Jim, Maxi, Jon & Brendan,

Been reading your posts on our complete electrical systems. It's really good to see discussion here so that we can try to do things better.

SYSTEMS

The complete systems were borne out of myself and colleagues being overloaded with design requests. We found that many of the systems we were designing over and over again were very similar and the boat owners were all requiring similar things. This coupled with the wish for owners to DIY install prompted us to put together a number of "standard systems" applicable to most boat owners needs.

Each system is supplied in a standard format with upgrade options (eg shorepower or battery management). The Merlin Engineer who specified the system is required to test and package the system (to prevent any warehouse packing areas). Each component is individually labelled for ease of identification and packaged along with a Cable Schedule and Step by Step installation guide. On the drawings, we number each cable so that it corresponds with the Cable Schedule - this then provides cable sizing information. The step by step guide was written by myself. This formula has allowed us to sell systems to those who have little electrical knowldge to install a professional electrical system.

We sell around 5 complete systems a week (lots more at the shows)- you could imagine the nightmare if we received many technical questions from each system customer. So far, I receive possibly 1 or 2 system installation queries a month. Hopefully this is a testament to the value of the manual.

Each system is supplied with a five year warranty. We have been able to do this becuase the products used within the systems are well proven in marine use and we know their individual strengths and weaknesses.

The "Preinstallation Option" on the S200 and S400 systems saves a huge amount of time - leaving only eight cables to be connected (eg batteries to distribution panel, engine to panel etc).

FYI our boatshow stand has a working S100 and S200 system on it. Jack Monk and myself are up there all week so can run through any of your questions. Stand is G2 in ocean hall (apologies if any replies to this post take a while - I'm not back in computer range until after the show).

Not on our website yet are our new electrical systems (S100, S200 and S400) - you can request a copy of the brochure for these from my colleague: matthew.sheldrake@merlinequipment.com or on 01202 697979.


WEBSITE

We've received mixed reports from people about the website. Generally positive. Problem is we have around 40 product ranges that need to be easy to access. I opted for PDF downloads as it gives customers and potential customers hard copy information immediately.

Our Power-Store website is a mess and is in urgent need of upgrading (sorry!) - this is something I plan to do between the Southampton and London Boatshows. This site will also have on line ordering - making pricing much more straightforward.

PRICING

We discussed putting price lists on the web. The only issue is that becuase much of the equipment we use is imported - fluctuating exchange rates, shipping costs make pricing dynamic. Updating 7000 individual products on the website would take an age. However, we now have a PRICED mail order catalogue that is available (pricing is there as a guide becuase we often offer special deals etc).

Again, once the new power-store.com website is up and running, online pricing will be available.

Sorry for the long post - hopefully this answers your questions. See you at the show!

Best Regards

James Hortop
Merlin Equipment
james.hortop@merlinequipment.com
T: 01202 697979

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[EdEssery]

I totally rewired the domestic side of my boat last winter and got most of the stuff from Merlin. I did NOT use one of their complete packs and they didn't recommend it either.

I wrote a few notes of what I wanted and what I was seeking to achieve and I drew a rough diagram. I then took this to their stand at the Southampton show (midweek) and they spent nearly an hour going through it with me and constructing a list of what I needed. I ordered this there and then and got a discount equivalent to VAT for doing so. The complete order was on my doorstep two days later.

A very efficient supplier of quality products. Recommended. My only connection is as a satisfied customer. I shall be back to see them at Southampton for the equipment for this year's project - rewire the charging and engine side of my electrics.

Ed

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[jimbouy]

James,

Thanks for replying. It's good to know the forums are read by suppliers as well as users.

I'm at the SBS on Sunday and will visit your stand, asking for yourself.


Regards


Jim

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[jimbouy]

Brendon.

I visited them at SBS. Very impressed .

You could put together a cheaper nsystem with inferior componenets, but I reckon there systems are good value.

The systems are different now to those on their www.

They now use VSR's.

Thought you'd like to know.

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"