Recommendation of book - dealing with very basic presentation of boat electrics.

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shortjohnsilver

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I wish to be able to carry out basic electrical troubleshooting around the boat and also to safely install additional 12v appliances, such as an auto bilge pump, cooling fans additional lighting etc..
Literally step by step direction where even an idiot (me) couldn’t fail to understand and follow.
From appliance to switch board and how to actually get the power from the battery. Where and how the wires actually physically make the circuit.
I need a book that has very simple circuit drawings and even photos would be great. How do bus bars work for instance.
I have watched many YouTube videos and all appears sensible and s straightforward but they don’t seem to show how to actually physically connect to the power. Yes they show direct connection to a free standing battery, but not in a real boat setting. Otherwise you would have many, dozens maybe, of wires coming off the pos and neg terminals of your domestic battery and that’s not right.
I’m just so dense when it comes to this stuff and have been lucky so far that I haven’t had any serious issues, but the day will come, I know it will.
I’m not talking electronics here, just very simple stuff. A dot to dot, A to Z guide for idiots.
Thanks all.
 
I have the first edition of Pat Manley's "Essential Boat Electrics". I'm not on the boat with it at the moment to review it and confirm it's exactly what you want. but whilst I don't recall thinking of it as "totally comprehensive" it was very, very clearly laid out and simple to follow.

The 2nd (2014) edition is the current one but waterstone's site suggests there's a new edition coming out in the autumn:
Essential Boat Electrics by Pat Manley, Oliver Balham | Waterstones

I've heard good things about the 12v bible, but that's nearly 20 years old now. Calders's "Boatowners' mechanical and electrical manual" is ultimately a "must have" but I'd suggest it's far too weighty a tome for someone wanting the basics clearly explained
 
The one that has saved me a packet is :

Alastair Garrod's - "Electrics Afloat"

ISBN 0-7136-6149-6

Produced in association with PBO

It covers literally everything in simple terms and even gives example setups ... from mains hook up - to choice of batterys (Lithium is not in as its a bit before them) - charging etc. etc.

I have the 12v Doctors Practical Handbook - that is good as well - but getting dated now and is not so simple ... but worth having.
Download : https://www.libramar.net/news/the_12v_doctors_practical_handbook/2017-08-08-1053

Another I have - The 12V Bible for Boats by Miner Brotherton

ISBN 0-901281-87-5

Again a bit dated but useful.
 
Some good stuff on youtube to help visualizing what's going on as well, the water pressure analogy has limits but can open doors to getting a feel for whats happening.

No doubt better out there, but first in a search > if you want lots of current (water flow) then you need a thick wire (pipe) otherwise the voltage (pressure) goes right down and you just get a dribble coming out.

 
shortjohnsilver said:
Thanks all. I’ll get hold of a copy of Pat Manleys ‘Essential Boat Electrics’ and go from there.
Click to expand...



Sorry - correction : I have NO connection to Author etc. - but I do strongly recc'd Garrods book as I posted earlier ... it really does lay it all out in easy to understand terms - and gives all the info needed without techno babble !!
 
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laika said:
I have the first edition of Pat Manley's "Essential Boat Electrics". I'm not on the boat with it at the moment to review it and confirm it's exactly what you want. but whilst I don't recall thinking of it as "totally comprehensive" it was very, very clearly laid out and simple to follow.
Click to expand...

Now I am on board and have revisited it, without detracting from other posters' recommendations this book does fit the bill very nicely. It covers the basics and practical applications, has diagrams and photos and a wire size table at the back which I still refer to. The problem with my copy is that it's outdated. Battery technology has advanced a bit since 2007. The timing is a bit awkward because the obvious choice would be to wait for the new edition in september but that may be too long and I'm not sure how dated the 2014 edition is. Possibly not a problem if you're not considering anything fancy.
 
laika said:
Now I am on board and have revisited it, without detracting from other posters' recommendations this book does fit the bill very nicely. It covers the basics and practical applications, has diagrams and photos and a wire size table at the back which I still refer to. The problem with my copy is that it's outdated. Battery technology has advanced a bit since 2007. The timing is a bit awkward because the obvious choice would be to wait for the new edition in september but that may be too long and I'm not sure how dated the 2014 edition is. Possibly not a problem if you're not considering anything fancy.
Click to expand...
Sadly Pat Manley passed a few years ago, so a new edition seems unlikely to have his input, but an excelent book.
 
Victron used to produce a book 'Electricity on Board'. It was originally printed, may still be, and was then somewhere on their website. Despite being produced by a supplier of, excellent marine electrical components, it was not a marketing exercise - simply good PR. Have a look it might still be there and still be useful

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Victron used to produce a book 'Electricity on Board'. It was originally printed, may still be, and was then somewhere on their website. Despite being produced by a supplier of, excellent marine electrical components, it was not a marketing exercise - simply good PR. Have a look it might still be there and still be useful

Jonathan
Click to expand...

I think they updated that to 'Wiring unlimited' which now also has stuff about inverters, which came in handy recently.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Wiring-Unlimited-EN.pdf
 
We had the hard copy of Electricity on Board when our cat was being built - it must have been right as we have not felt the need to update it.

We would not have known about the book but we had their inverter charge installed and one thing led to another and we had the book free, and another slightly updated version - same title. From memory, the book is on the boat, the author (and owner (?( of Victron) sails, sailed a trimaran - so it was hands on.

Jonathan
 
There are so many books out there and many are not updated .. but the basics are good.

I have a number of books and funny enough - while looking for my Bristows Book of Yachts 1980 edition ... I found my James Yates book Boat Electrics ...

With all the books - I find that the layout and explanation presentation is important. Some are like plain novels and daunting when opened. Others are full of pictures and colour that makes easier to understand.
 
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