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Trevor_Richards

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Having just bought an old multihull we are about to start work I can handle most things but have never re wired 12v, can anyone suggest any reading matter that is in English, plenty of pictures and no big words. Someone suggested a Nigel Calder book which seems to be a bible of everything. Any thoughts anyone
 
I have just bought "The 12 Volt Bible for Boats" by Miner Brotherton; dont buy this book, very poor illustrations, not colour, and old. I am still looking for a good boat electrics book.
 
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I have just bought "The 12 Volt Bible for Boats" by Miner Brotherton; dont buy this book, very poor illustrations, not colour, and old. I am still looking for a good boat electrics book.

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Don't listen to him, the 12 Volt Bible is great.
 
Totally agree. I built what I thought was plenty of spare capacity in my new switch panel - it is proving not to be! I ran spare wires to several places while the headlining etc was out - they are now used up!

So I'd say:
1) Think of ALL the electrical stuff you might like to have in the future, and build in the capacity now. It won't cost much for some extra cable and a bus bar but will save loads of time and effort in the future.

2) While cables are exposed then take some pics so you know where they are next time you are putting in a screw or drilling a hole!

3) Label everything - wires at each end, each fuse etc.

4) Make a distribution diagram - it's amazing how quickly you forget what each wire is for, its size, how many items are sharing a supply, and so on.

5) Tinned cable is recommended, and lasts longer, but is much more expensive. Get a proper crimping tool for the connectors - money well spent - and heatshrink adhesive sleeving finishes the job well.

12V isn't difficult once you have started - the tricky bit is making sure the cables are big enough to cope with the current and voltage drop IMO, but you get adept at V,I,R quite quickly in my experience.
You can get a lot of what you need from eg Maplins, RS, and auto suppliers. Don't go near a chandlery unless you have deep pockets and want to spend more than necessary /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Second vote for Nigel Calder's excellent Boat Owner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual (assuming that's what simonfraser97 meant). Covers everything in great detail.
 
Another book which might suit is "Electrics Afloat" by Alastair Garrod. Its very easy to get on with, good diagrams and I think up to date.
The other book I like is The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible by John Payne, but this is a lot more detailed and might be a little intimidating as a starting point.
I hope this helps.
 
"The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible by John Payne"

Yes it's a bit dense, but it was perfect for me when I installed a split-charging system - it had exactly the diagrams I needed.

There is also the "12V Doctors Practical Handbook" available as a free pdf download
 
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Totally agree. I built what I thought was plenty of spare capacity in my new switch panel - it is proving not to be!

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wise advice in that post Damo./ After a few years the average boat electrical circuits start to look like a plate of spaghetti. Dead disconnected wires left in situ because the new owner hasnt a clue what they are. In line fuses that are hidden in places the new owner doesnt know etc etc.

And thats just my boat. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Second vote for John Payne, in fact I have been glad of both that AND Nigel Colder, often one is clearer on something than the other. Would also strongly recoment yo get a basic engeneering drawing package for the computer, plan the entire wireing diagram befor you start and then update it with the canges you inevitably make along the way. You can then print out a copy to keep on board when finished. I actually broke down the diagran into sections corisponding to the diff distribution boards - domestic, nav, pumps and machinary etc which made clear diagrams on an A4 sheet rather than one big sheet showing all of it. Al;so don't tuck stuff 'out of the way' makes it a nightmare to fit and service, who care that you can see a junction box if you can also get at it!
 
"who care that you can see a junction box if you can also get at it"

I built a distributed system to reduce the wiring through the boat, eg a fuse box below the mast for everything going through the deck glands, fore and aft cabin boxes for the items in those areas etc.

I have breakers for each main circuit, and auto blade fuses for everything coming off the bus bars. The idea is that if there is a fault in one area, it doesn't affect everything else. The eber has its own breaker, which it likes to use on a regular basis /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (Before you ask - I know why! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)
 
Thanks for you help, I will investigate all the suggestions.
It's a 1980 Oceanic Mk 111 no.69, my sister and her brother-in-law own No74, that lives in Andros harbour Bahamas. One day perhaps they might meet.
Remember B.O.A.T. break out another thousand!!!
 
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