What's my best bet for an electrical reference?

[Matt J.]

[edited to clarify]

We hired a captain and crew to bring RARUS home form LIS. They left Monday morning, and have kept us up to date on their progress.

I spoke with the Captain this morning... they woke up to dead batteries (2 of them), and no way to start the engine, since the hand-start was dead already - which we were all aware of before beginning.

I'm trusting he can bring her home anyway one way or another finding sufficient power; however, I really need to brush up on 12V electrical systems. What are the best 1 or 2 books on the subject - beginner to advanced?

Thans for any help.
-Matt

[ 06-18-2003, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Matt J.]

[edited to clarify]

We hired a captain and crew to bring RARUS home form LIS. They left Monday morning, and have kept us up to date on their progress.

I spoke with the Captain this morning... they woke up to dead batteries (2 of them), and no way to start the engine, since the hand-start was dead already - which we were all aware of before beginning.

I'm trusting he can bring her home anyway one way or another finding sufficient power; however, I really need to brush up on 12V electrical systems. What are the best 1 or 2 books on the subject - beginner to advanced?

Thans for any help.
-Matt

[ 06-18-2003, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Matt J.]

[edited to clarify]

We hired a captain and crew to bring RARUS home form LIS. They left Monday morning, and have kept us up to date on their progress.

I spoke with the Captain this morning... they woke up to dead batteries (2 of them), and no way to start the engine, since the hand-start was dead already - which we were all aware of before beginning.

I'm trusting he can bring her home anyway one way or another finding sufficient power; however, I really need to brush up on 12V electrical systems. What are the best 1 or 2 books on the subject - beginner to advanced?

Thans for any help.
-Matt

[ 06-18-2003, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Jonathan Kabak]

Two words...Uncle Nigel

Nigel Calder's books are some of the best I have ever seen.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kabak]

Two words...Uncle Nigel

Nigel Calder's books are some of the best I have ever seen.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kabak]

Two words...Uncle Nigel

Nigel Calder's books are some of the best I have ever seen.

Jonathan

[Dayton Eckerson]

Matt:
I second the Calder recommendation -- no boat should leave port without it. I'd also suggest you consider springing for Charlie Wing's electrical book. When it comes to electricity, I often find that my brain needs more than one source to really "get it". We're looking forward to seeing RARUS. Where are you going to keep her?

-- Dayton

[Dayton Eckerson]

Matt:
I second the Calder recommendation -- no boat should leave port without it. I'd also suggest you consider springing for Charlie Wing's electrical book. When it comes to electricity, I often find that my brain needs more than one source to really "get it". We're looking forward to seeing RARUS. Where are you going to keep her?

-- Dayton

[Dayton Eckerson]

Matt:
I second the Calder recommendation -- no boat should leave port without it. I'd also suggest you consider springing for Charlie Wing's electrical book. When it comes to electricity, I often find that my brain needs more than one source to really "get it". We're looking forward to seeing RARUS. Where are you going to keep her?

-- Dayton

[Chuck Hancock]

Nigel Calder. He has a very comprehensive book whose name is something like "The Boatowner's Electrical and Mechanical..." something or other. There are other authors and I've read a lot of them, but Calder's patois makes the most sense to me.

[Chuck Hancock]

Nigel Calder. He has a very comprehensive book whose name is something like "The Boatowner's Electrical and Mechanical..." something or other. There are other authors and I've read a lot of them, but Calder's patois makes the most sense to me.

[Chuck Hancock]

Nigel Calder. He has a very comprehensive book whose name is something like "The Boatowner's Electrical and Mechanical..." something or other. There are other authors and I've read a lot of them, but Calder's patois makes the most sense to me.

[Matt J.]

El Capitano is to have her in the C+D canal by tomorrow morning, where I'll meet him and crew, take them to train station. Jenny and I are planning on bringing her down the bay the the Kent Narrows area, where she'll be kept.

Thanks all for the Nigel Calder recommendation. His book is right here in my desk for lunch. It does look like a thorough reference. I'm unhappy about the battery situation on board... but it's my fault for not educating myself about the situation before hand. The seller (a forumite, though he rarely posts) bought a brand new Rolls battery. Nice big thing, but it's been sitting for I'll bet many months. From what I've read it's probably useless, since it's been discharging for so long, and never been charged. The old battery is sludge, according to the Captain, since the alternator is sending too much to it.

I'm thinking a batter monitor, charge controller, and *small* solar charger for the new battery(s). I've just started my studying/reading, but that's what I gathered online from other articles as a good means of maintaining a good electrical system. Fortunately, we and she use little power, and plan on using less if anything, so the system doesn't need to be too fancy or excessive.

Thanks again.

[Matt J.]

El Capitano is to have her in the C+D canal by tomorrow morning, where I'll meet him and crew, take them to train station. Jenny and I are planning on bringing her down the bay the the Kent Narrows area, where she'll be kept.

Thanks all for the Nigel Calder recommendation. His book is right here in my desk for lunch. It does look like a thorough reference. I'm unhappy about the battery situation on board... but it's my fault for not educating myself about the situation before hand. The seller (a forumite, though he rarely posts) bought a brand new Rolls battery. Nice big thing, but it's been sitting for I'll bet many months. From what I've read it's probably useless, since it's been discharging for so long, and never been charged. The old battery is sludge, according to the Captain, since the alternator is sending too much to it.

I'm thinking a batter monitor, charge controller, and *small* solar charger for the new battery(s). I've just started my studying/reading, but that's what I gathered online from other articles as a good means of maintaining a good electrical system. Fortunately, we and she use little power, and plan on using less if anything, so the system doesn't need to be too fancy or excessive.

Thanks again.

[Matt J.]

El Capitano is to have her in the C+D canal by tomorrow morning, where I'll meet him and crew, take them to train station. Jenny and I are planning on bringing her down the bay the the Kent Narrows area, where she'll be kept.

Thanks all for the Nigel Calder recommendation. His book is right here in my desk for lunch. It does look like a thorough reference. I'm unhappy about the battery situation on board... but it's my fault for not educating myself about the situation before hand. The seller (a forumite, though he rarely posts) bought a brand new Rolls battery. Nice big thing, but it's been sitting for I'll bet many months. From what I've read it's probably useless, since it's been discharging for so long, and never been charged. The old battery is sludge, according to the Captain, since the alternator is sending too much to it.

I'm thinking a batter monitor, charge controller, and *small* solar charger for the new battery(s). I've just started my studying/reading, but that's what I gathered online from other articles as a good means of maintaining a good electrical system. Fortunately, we and she use little power, and plan on using less if anything, so the system doesn't need to be too fancy or excessive.

Thanks again.

[Bruce Hooke]

I set up a boat I sailed 15 years ago with a small self-regulating solar panel and it worked quite nicely. You do have to keep a close eye on power usage -- one power hungry item can drain the system down in a hurry. However, on my boat the only source of power was the solar panel so your situation is a little bit different.

I have to say that with a motor on board I would probably just plan to run the motor every few weeks to make sure the batteries are fully charged. It's best to run the motor occasionally anyway. If there is something that is using much power when you are not on board then I would look into what and why and try to address it from that end. A good battery with nothing running off it should not go dead in only a couple of months.

I am a bit puzzled about the current situation on board. Did they leave port with dead batteries? I'd be very surprised if they didn't run the motor before going anywhere in which case they must have had power at that point. If the batteries were not dead when they started the trip then the question is what drained them in a hurry on the trip. Also, if the batteries were not dead when the started the trip then if the new battery is a deep-cycle battery then it should be quite possible to charge it back up once they (or you) get the motor going.

BTW - If you haven't got one already then to get anywhere with the working on the electrical system you will certainly need to get a low cost multi-meter. Your local "orange box" store should have a selection of them. In my experience the lower end ones do just fine for most boat related purposes. Make sure to get some spare fuses of whatever size the meter takes, because you will probably blow a few by mistake.

[Bruce Hooke]

I set up a boat I sailed 15 years ago with a small self-regulating solar panel and it worked quite nicely. You do have to keep a close eye on power usage -- one power hungry item can drain the system down in a hurry. However, on my boat the only source of power was the solar panel so your situation is a little bit different.

I have to say that with a motor on board I would probably just plan to run the motor every few weeks to make sure the batteries are fully charged. It's best to run the motor occasionally anyway. If there is something that is using much power when you are not on board then I would look into what and why and try to address it from that end. A good battery with nothing running off it should not go dead in only a couple of months.

I am a bit puzzled about the current situation on board. Did they leave port with dead batteries? I'd be very surprised if they didn't run the motor before going anywhere in which case they must have had power at that point. If the batteries were not dead when they started the trip then the question is what drained them in a hurry on the trip. Also, if the batteries were not dead when the started the trip then if the new battery is a deep-cycle battery then it should be quite possible to charge it back up once they (or you) get the motor going.

BTW - If you haven't got one already then to get anywhere with the working on the electrical system you will certainly need to get a low cost multi-meter. Your local "orange box" store should have a selection of them. In my experience the lower end ones do just fine for most boat related purposes. Make sure to get some spare fuses of whatever size the meter takes, because you will probably blow a few by mistake.

[Bruce Hooke]

I set up a boat I sailed 15 years ago with a small self-regulating solar panel and it worked quite nicely. You do have to keep a close eye on power usage -- one power hungry item can drain the system down in a hurry. However, on my boat the only source of power was the solar panel so your situation is a little bit different.

I have to say that with a motor on board I would probably just plan to run the motor every few weeks to make sure the batteries are fully charged. It's best to run the motor occasionally anyway. If there is something that is using much power when you are not on board then I would look into what and why and try to address it from that end. A good battery with nothing running off it should not go dead in only a couple of months.

I am a bit puzzled about the current situation on board. Did they leave port with dead batteries? I'd be very surprised if they didn't run the motor before going anywhere in which case they must have had power at that point. If the batteries were not dead when they started the trip then the question is what drained them in a hurry on the trip. Also, if the batteries were not dead when the started the trip then if the new battery is a deep-cycle battery then it should be quite possible to charge it back up once they (or you) get the motor going.

BTW - If you haven't got one already then to get anywhere with the working on the electrical system you will certainly need to get a low cost multi-meter. Your local "orange box" store should have a selection of them. In my experience the lower end ones do just fine for most boat related purposes. Make sure to get some spare fuses of whatever size the meter takes, because you will probably blow a few by mistake.

[Matt J.]

Bruce,
They left LIS with one full battery, and one which was never tested, but brand new, bought by the previous owner, and I was told it was fully charged. I should've checked it, but did not. I read online that a battery loses about 1% of it's charge on it's own every day. Then the longer that portion of the charge not used begins to cause hard sulfate buildup on the panels in the battery. The longer it sits, the less useable the battery becomes... something about how even charging will not remove all the buildup, and battery power is permanently lost.

THe captain did call today around noon, to tell me the engine is running hot. We're hoping when he replaces the impeller that perhaps it will fix the problem. :rolleyes: I guess I'm not too surprised. I'll simply feel better when we get her into her slip this weekend only 5 miles from the house. With the weather this spring, I'll have time to go through much of the maintenance list we've written up, now including the engine and electrical systems. :D No, really, :D Just let's get her to her slip. :rolleyes:

[edit:]
They bought a new battery as they found the original to be dry and sludge. The new one they just didn't want to trust. I don't know if they didn't realize how little battery they had, or if the battery really was overcharged by the alternator. The captain is convinced the alternator is too powerful, and so has disconnected the alternator.

Multimeter- check. Got one, though it's a bit ragged after my abuse around the house, it works.
Thanks

[ 06-20-2003, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Matt J.]

Bruce,
They left LIS with one full battery, and one which was never tested, but brand new, bought by the previous owner, and I was told it was fully charged. I should've checked it, but did not. I read online that a battery loses about 1% of it's charge on it's own every day. Then the longer that portion of the charge not used begins to cause hard sulfate buildup on the panels in the battery. The longer it sits, the less useable the battery becomes... something about how even charging will not remove all the buildup, and battery power is permanently lost.

THe captain did call today around noon, to tell me the engine is running hot. We're hoping when he replaces the impeller that perhaps it will fix the problem. :rolleyes: I guess I'm not too surprised. I'll simply feel better when we get her into her slip this weekend only 5 miles from the house. With the weather this spring, I'll have time to go through much of the maintenance list we've written up, now including the engine and electrical systems. :D No, really, :D Just let's get her to her slip. :rolleyes:

[edit:]
They bought a new battery as they found the original to be dry and sludge. The new one they just didn't want to trust. I don't know if they didn't realize how little battery they had, or if the battery really was overcharged by the alternator. The captain is convinced the alternator is too powerful, and so has disconnected the alternator.

Multimeter- check. Got one, though it's a bit ragged after my abuse around the house, it works.
Thanks

[ 06-20-2003, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Matt J.]

Bruce,
They left LIS with one full battery, and one which was never tested, but brand new, bought by the previous owner, and I was told it was fully charged. I should've checked it, but did not. I read online that a battery loses about 1% of it's charge on it's own every day. Then the longer that portion of the charge not used begins to cause hard sulfate buildup on the panels in the battery. The longer it sits, the less useable the battery becomes... something about how even charging will not remove all the buildup, and battery power is permanently lost.

THe captain did call today around noon, to tell me the engine is running hot. We're hoping when he replaces the impeller that perhaps it will fix the problem. :rolleyes: I guess I'm not too surprised. I'll simply feel better when we get her into her slip this weekend only 5 miles from the house. With the weather this spring, I'll have time to go through much of the maintenance list we've written up, now including the engine and electrical systems. :D No, really, :D Just let's get her to her slip. :rolleyes:

[edit:]
They bought a new battery as they found the original to be dry and sludge. The new one they just didn't want to trust. I don't know if they didn't realize how little battery they had, or if the battery really was overcharged by the alternator. The captain is convinced the alternator is too powerful, and so has disconnected the alternator.

Multimeter- check. Got one, though it's a bit ragged after my abuse around the house, it works.
Thanks

[ 06-20-2003, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Matt Joyce ]

[Bruce Hooke]

Matt,

That explains how they left with a dead battery. I am not so sure about the 1% figure. It seems to me that lots of people leave batteries unattended over the winter (hopefully starting the winter with a full charge) and this doesn't seem to kill the battery. So, I think there may be some hope for your battery. In any case, I agree that the first thing is to get her into the slip where you can start working on things. I hope the next couple of days go well!

- Bruce

[Bruce Hooke]

Matt,

That explains how they left with a dead battery. I am not so sure about the 1% figure. It seems to me that lots of people leave batteries unattended over the winter (hopefully starting the winter with a full charge) and this doesn't seem to kill the battery. So, I think there may be some hope for your battery. In any case, I agree that the first thing is to get her into the slip where you can start working on things. I hope the next couple of days go well!

- Bruce

[Bruce Hooke]

Matt,

That explains how they left with a dead battery. I am not so sure about the 1% figure. It seems to me that lots of people leave batteries unattended over the winter (hopefully starting the winter with a full charge) and this doesn't seem to kill the battery. So, I think there may be some hope for your battery. In any case, I agree that the first thing is to get her into the slip where you can start working on things. I hope the next couple of days go well!

- Bruce