Electrical

The story of how John nearly wasted a bunch of time and money, but finally got a grip of himself. Lots of electrical system recommendations and a caution to make sure that the complexity we choose is right for us.

John and Phyllis reduced their battery ownership costs by a factor of four. Here's the report. Complimentary Post

The details of how batteries charge and how voltage regulators work together...or not. Practical information that will help make sure you have electricity when you need it.

Electricity, batteries and how to charge them are the source of more confusion in the cruising world than just about anything I can think of. But suppose you could really understand electricity? Now you can, and it's not hard. Read on. This post will be complimentary for two days only.

John's in rant mode. This time it's marine electronic and electrical technician training that has attracted his ire. But he's not just throwing rocks, he makes suggestions for improvement too. Complimentary Post

After voyaging and living aboard their Ovni 435 for 7 years, Colin gives us an update on what electrical kit has worked and what has died, as well as a look at newly available gear he and Louise have installed or are considering.

In the last chapter in this Online Book, in reaction to a members's tale of frustration, I recommended a bilge pump switch. But what about the bilge pump itself? When we bought Morgan's Cloud she had a Jabsco 36600 bilge pump that was installed when she was built 27 years ago. And we still have [...]

A tale of bilge pump woe got me thinking about one of the best pieces of gear we have ever fitted to our boat: The world's best bilge pump switch.

Have you ever wondered if a diesel electric drive would be a good option for your boat? It's a complicated decision, but it just got a got simpler.

Lightning strike! Just the words can make us cruising sailors, who sail around the ocean with the highest thing in hundreds of square miles sticking up, nervous.

This post by Matt, AAC Engineering Correspondent, will help you understand how lighting strikes happen and what you can do to reduce the associated risks.

There's a good chance that you are currently sharing the room with a half-dozen or more lithium ion batteries. The computer in front of you has one, your camera has one, your phone has one, the R/C car your kid is racing around your ankles has one. Lithium battery technology is almost everywhere. And, soon, [...]

Which lead-acid battery type should you buy? Liquid filled, Gel, or AGM. Well, it depends. Find out how to choose in this chapter.

Matt, AAC Technical correspondent, takes a look at an intriguing new technology that holds a lot of promise for cruising boats. But before we all rush to wire our boats this way, there are some questions that the vendors need to answer.

Anything learned from battery use on a boat that is not really out there cruising is…well, not very useful. Cruising is different, and much harder on batteries than most other uses. And so much of what you read about sailboat battery life is theory based on…well, not a lot. So it was great to get [...]