My Account  |  0 item(s)    View Cart
Peter Kennedy has been in  business since 1991 designing, installing and servicing marine electrical systems. The purpose of this blog is to offer support to both professional installers and  do-it-yourself boat owners who wish to undertake this work themselves.

Blog Home
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
Peter Kennedy has been in  business since 1991 designing, installing and servicing marine electrical systems. The purpose of this blog is to offer support to both professional installers and  do-it-yourself boat owners who wish to undertake this work themselves.

Signal K and Victron Energy integration

Posted by Peter Kennedy and Victron Energy on 6/13/2019 to System Integration
Signal-K IntegrationThis article points to a Blog Post from Victron Energy outlining some of the things you can do by integrating Victron Energy with Signal K
(0) Comments
Read More

Victron Data Cabling

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/12/2019 to System Integration
CCGX Rear ViewThis article shows the back view of the Color Control GX and shows all the connections that are possible and how they are used. Even if the Color Control GX is not used it is a good explanation of how the Victron system goes together
(0) Comments
Read More

How to deal with a boat that is tripping the dock Ground Fault circuit breaker

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/11/2019 to Circuit Protection
Recently boaters have been coming across docks fitted with ground fault circuit breakers on their shore power receptacles.  This is in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code and applies to all new construction.  Eventually, as docks get rebuilt, all docks will be wired to this standard.  Unfortunately for some boaters their boats are having a hard time using these receptacles because they trip immediately on switching on the power.  This article is an attempt to explain what this is all about and what can be done about it.
(0) Comments
Read More

Mounting proceedure for dual foot alternators

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/21/2019 to Alternators
Dual foot alternator mounting proceedure
When you have a dual foot alternator it is important to mount it correctly to avoid bending or breaking the mounting feet.
(0) Comments
Read More

A comparison between the XT and AT series alternators by Balmar

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/14/2019 to Alternators

A comparison between Balmar's AT and XT alternator series
(0) Comments
Read More

Trending data added to Victron Connect App

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/14/2019 to System Integration


The latest version of Victron Connect (V5.5)includes graphs showing trends for key parameters in Solar and Battery Monitoring mode
(0) Comments
Read More

Firmware updates with Victron Connect

Posted by Peter Kennedy with Victron Energy on 4/18/2019 to System Integration
Firmware update



Firmware updates to equipment connected using Victron Connect can be made offline as long as your Victron Connect App is up to date. This blog is a reposting of the original Victron Blog Post on the subject.
(0) Comments
Read More

DC load calculations for marine and mobile projects

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/10/2019 to Techniques and How to...
WorksheetDC Load calculations for marine and mobile projects. A discussion on how to size the loads for panelboards, how to calculate daily power consumption and generation, and how to use that to come up with a battery size.
(0) Comments
Read More

Mounting options for the Blue Sea m-Series battery switches

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/10/2019 to Techniques and How to...
Mounting for m-Series battery switches



Blue Sea Systems m-Series battery switches can be mounted in three different ways and this article shows how that works.......
(0) Comments
Read More

Victron Bluetooth pairing code

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/14/2019 to System Integration
This article tells you what to do if you are asked for a Bluetooth pairing code for your Victron Bluetooth device
(0) Comments
Read More

How we handle warranty claims at PKYS

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/14/2019 to News
Warranty claims are handled differently depending on the manufacturer of the item. Read more to learn how to deal with warranty issued for items purchased at PKYS
(0) Comments
Read More

Generating a 120/240 Volt split phase power supply from an inverter

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/7/2019 to Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
Split phase inverter system

There are a couple of ways to set up a split phase 120/240 volt system using an inverter. This article discusses the merits of the different methods, 
(1) Comments
Read More

Demo electrical system layout with Victron 24 Volt MultiPlus inverter charger, solar panels and generator

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/15/2019 to System Integration
This post shows a wiring diagram prepared by Victron Energy showing in detail how some of their products connect together. I have annotated the drawing with notes and comments.
(0) Comments
Read More

Please use Victron VE Bus cables to hook up Victron VE Bus equipment.

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/14/2019 to System Integration
Please use Victron VE Bus cables to hook up VE Bus equipment. Other brands may or may not work, its really not worth the hassle. Read more....
(0) Comments
Read More

A comparison of Victron 24 volt Lithium Batteries

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/13/2019 to Batteries (Lithium Ion)
Its a bit confusing that there are three different types of Victron 24 volt Lithium batteries and this article attempts to explain the difference between them.
(0) Comments
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions about Lithium Batteries

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/13/2019 to Batteries (Lithium Ion)
I spend so much of my time answering questions about Lithium Batteries that I decided to put some of the most common questions here for all to see. This is an ongoing project so check back again to see more. I apologize for the randomness of it but when I have enough written I will try to sort them by category
(2) Comments
Read More

Ultimate Camper Electrical System

Posted by Peter Kennedy with Pat Davitt on 2/8/2019 to Camper Vans
This is a link to two detailed articles that appered in the online magazine Truck Camper Adventure. Written by PKYS customer Pat Davitt they detail the ultimate electrical system he constructed for his Truck Camper Rig. He went with a pair of 24 Volt Victron HE Lithium batteries to make a system that runs on 48 volts. The articles give detailed wiring diagrams and specifications as well as background on why he selected the items he did.
(0) Comments
Read More

24 Volt Lithium Battery Layout

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/8/2019 to Batteries (Lithium Ion)
This is a sample labout prepared for a catamaran with a 24 volt electrical system.
(0) Comments
Read More

How To Avoid Interference Between LED Lights and VHF Radios

Posted by Peter Kennedy with Imtra on 2/5/2019 to Lighting
The United States Coast Guard recently issued an alert regarding the potential for Electro Magnetic Interference between some LED lighting products and vital communication devices like VHF radios and Automatic Identification Systems.
(0) Comments
Read More

Solar Panel on Sprinter Van

Posted by Peter Kennedy with KM on 2/1/2019 to Camper Vans
The panel is a Canadian Solar 300watt mono-Si PERC. The van is a Sprinter 170. The batteries are Victron Smart LiFePO4 200 Amp Hour Lithium Iron Phosphate. The Inverter is a Victron Multiplus
(0) Comments
Read More

Using the Victron Energy Autotransformer in a US 120/240 Volt system

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/28/2019 to Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
The Victron Energy Autotransformer is the one item we sell that causes the most confusion. Read about how it gets used in a US 120/240 volt system here
(1) Comments
Read More

Camper Van and RV Electrical Systems

Posted by Mike Hobson on 1/22/2019 to Camper Vans
Camper Van and RV Electrical Systems
Camper van and RV electrical systems comprise charging from the engine, shore power and solar panels. From these sources we can charge batteries or power AC and DC systems directly allowing for extended time off grid and away from shore power.
(0) Comments
Read More

Blue Sea Systems fire recovery update

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/22/2019 to News
As many of you know, on November 10, 2018, a fire broke out at the Blue Sea Systems Bellingham, WA facility resulting in a total loss of the building including the production area, office space, product, assembly fixtures and test equipment. Since then, a lot of work has been done to aid in the recovery plan. Read an update of the progress that has been made.
(0) Comments
Read More

How to test a galvanic isolator that doesn't have a monitoring system

Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/21/2019 to Corrosion
Galvanic isolators are a bit difficult to test.  Current ABYC standards require that galvanic isolators be self testing.  For testing older isolators without this feature there are a number of methods that can be used, the one that follows is one that I found most useful.
(0) Comments
Read More

What is a galvanic isolator and why should my shore power system have one?

Posted by Liam Kennedy on 1/21/2019 to Corrosion
A galvanic isolator is a device used to block low voltage DC currents coming on board your boat on the shore power ground wire.  These currents could cause corrosion to your underwater metals; through hulls, propeller, shaft etc.

(2) Comments
Read More