Trouble Shooting Electrical Systems On Yachts

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Deleted member 36384

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Hi,

This winter I'll be attempting some electrical work on the boat. I also need to investigate a couple of circuits to try and trace faults.

If anyone has a good link on trouble shooting electrical circuits and especially how to use a multimeter it would be appreciated. Continuity testing is just about my limit and even then limited to open or closed circuit. If there is a resistance reading other than zero I really don't know what its telling me.

However too much detail above, just looking for a clear guide.

Many Thanks.

Blowing Old Boots
 
Hello Blowing - go out and buy or receive as a Chrissy present Nigel Calders Elect.and mech. Boatowners book (around£30). It'll prove its worth over the years but has an excellent section in it about testing and tracing electrical faults. I guess you might be able to get it from your library but it has much more useful info. in it. I had an 4 month ongoing charging fault - in the end I read the relevant pages in his book and the problem was sorted in about 190 minutes.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boatowners-...-Essential/dp/0713672269/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
 
A word of caution if you are not familiar with a multimeter. They can tell lies. Digital multimeters have such a high input impedance that they will pick up any kind of electrical noise and display it as a reading, particularly with voltage scales. it can be very misleading. An old Avo type analogue meter is much easier for a beginner to use.
 
An old Avo type analogue meter is much easier for a beginner to use.
Click to expand...
Even a small bulb with a pair of leads can be very useful. Even some of the higher impedance analogue meters can lead you up the garden path.

Tb training mentioned above is very useful for the novice getting to grips with the basics.

Not a fan of it but also on line is The 12Volt Doctors Practical Hand Book

http://www.motoren.ath.cx/download.php?filename=_electrical/12volthandbook.pdf
 
Caladh said:
Hello Blowing - go out and buy or receive as a Chrissy present Nigel Calders Elect.and mech. Boatowners book (around£30). It'll prove its worth over the years but has an excellent section in it about testing and tracing electrical faults. I guess you might be able to get it from your library but it has much more useful info. in it. I had an 4 month ongoing charging fault - in the end I read the relevant pages in his book and the problem was sorted in about 190 minutes.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boatowners-...-Essential/dp/0713672269/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
Click to expand...

I would give a big second on this. "the boat owners bible". Often the solution involves cleaning and/or remaking your connections - so don't get sucked in to overlooking the simple causes. Physicsally chase the cable & you will often find hidden cable joints rolled up in PVC tape! For battery/charging problems I would suggest borrowing a calibrated meter if only establish the degree of offset on your own.
Enjoy :).
 
cozzykim said:
Who needs books, there's also a wealth of knowledge on the forum (not the Lounge of course ;) )

If you have problems post them here, we love a challenge :)
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hello cozzy
have you read "voltage drop at tri colour" thread lately?
Pass me the "law of physics" please. :)
 
Assuming you have 12volt only onboard try the "12 Volt Bible".

Have always used a digital multimeter and never had a problem with it (apart from low battery). Main thing to make sure of is that you have it switched to the correct setting eg volts DC rather than Volts AC!
 
cimo said:
hello cozzy
have you read "voltage drop at tri colour" thread lately?
Click to expand...

Yes I've been reading that one, nothing to add, the OP seems to have been given the right advice along the way IMO

cimo said:
Pass me the "law of physics" please. :)
Click to expand...

Ohm's Law looks about right for that one :) It's just that the resistors aren't necessarily where the OP thinks they are ;)
 
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