Converting a European 16 Amp 230 Volt boat to US Shore Power
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/18/2018 to
Shore Power
This article discusses the easiest way to convert a European 230 Volt boat with 16 Amp service to work in the US with a 30 Amp 120 Volt dock power.
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Camper van project using Victron 24 volt Lithium batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/18/2018 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
This 2017 Dodge Promaster 3500 Van has been tricked out for boondocking and is loaded with solar panels and a Victron Lithium Iron Phosphate battery system with all the trimmings all supplied by PKYS
Programming your Balmar alternator regulator for Lithium Ion batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/12/2018 to
Alternators
The Balmar MC-614-H alternator regulator comes with a built-in program for Lithium Ion batteries but it needs to be adjusted to suit Victron's specifications
Serpentine kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/11/2018 to
Alternators
Read about this Balmar Altmount Serpentine Kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4E
Duplex and Triplex wire versus using Single Conductors
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 8/4/2018 to
Electrical Standards
Should I use duplex and triplex wire for my rewiring project or is it easier to use single conductor wire?
Sourcing High Voltage DC Equipment
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/13/2018 to
Circuit Protection
I get asked all the time about high voltage DC applications. Most equipment we sell at PKYS tops out at 48 Volts DC rating, only a few items are rated higher, and quite a lot have lower ratings. Finding equipment for high voltage applications is not that easy.
Troubleshooting your Alternator
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/13/2018 to
Alternators
Has your alternator stopped working? Often the tachometer will stop too. First check the drive belt to see that the alternator is turning. Here are some other troubleshooting tips
Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/25/2018 to
Alternators
Wondering how much further forward the Balmar Serpentine Kit will be on your engine? We took a photo to explain it. Click for more.......
Raymarine announce end of support for a long list of legacy products
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/1/2018 to
News
This list of products no longer supported was posted by Raymarine on June 1st 2018
Customizing your Venus
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/23/2018 to
Software
We know that Victron software is open source and we know that really clever people can write their own programming integrations, and we know that the Victron Venus is the most tweakable and programmable item in the Victron product range. However talking about this and actually doing it are not the same and for most of us this is too intimidating an excercise to attempt. Here is the story of one installation with all the explanations necessary to accomplish it yourself.....
What is the load output used for on certain Victron MPPT charge controllers
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/4/2018 to
Solar
The smaller Victron MPPT Charge Controllers have a load output separate from the battery connection. This short article explains what it is used for.
Blue Sea Systems custom panel: What will it look like when installed?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/1/2018 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
The custom panel program from Blue Sea Systems lets you design your own panel online and produces an image of what it will look like. Its not quite the same as seeing it installed of course. Here is how one panel turned out.
IP Ratings explained
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/27/2018 to
Electrical Standards
Many of the items we sell have an IP Rating. Here is an explanation of what they mean.
How to setup a return at PKYS
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/20/2017 to
PKYS online store
You can set up a product return at PKYS by logging in to your account
Adding an alternator to your lithium battery setup
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/19/2017 to
Alternators
A discussion on the best way to incorporate an alternator into a Lithium-Ion battery setup
Sizing your Lithium Ion Battery bank
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/13/2017 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
A discussion on how to select a suitable size battery bank when contemplating an upgrade to Lithium Ion Batteries
Victron Software is All Open Source
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/2/2017 to
Software
You can write your own software for Victron Energy products or you can write your own interaction with them. Here is an interesting example....
Charger Settings for AGM Batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2017 to
Battery Chargers
What are the recommended charge settings for AGM batteries. We looked it up for you.............
Demo Lithium Battery System Comparison to AGM
Posted by on 10/5/2017 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
Demo Lithium Battery System Comparison to AGM Batteries
Which is better, a Balmar Smart Gauge or a Victron BMV Meter?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 9/6/2017 to
Battery Monitoring
The Balmar Smart Gauge and the Victron BMV meter come at their answers in totally different ways. Which does a better job and why?
Smart Solar is coming
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 8/4/2017 to
Solar
The next generation of Victron MPPT solar charge controllers will have built in Bluetooth, which frees up the VE Direct Port for other uses. Read all about it......
New Victron Connect Release v3.1 available
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 8/1/2017 to
News
New Victron Connect App Release v3.1 available August 2017 features demo mode as well as support for Blue Smart Chargers, Smart Lithium Batteries, VE Direct Phoenix Inverters, MPPT Charge Controllers and more.
Review of Victron Battery Monitor and MPPT Controller with Smart Phone Display
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/20/2017 to
Battery Monitoring
Read a review written by one user who installed a BMV Energy Monitor, MPPPT solar charge controller and smart phone display in his camper
Custom panel rear view
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/10/2017 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
This is an actual panel built to order for a customer and it is going in a specialized off road vehicle.
Victron MPPT solar charger error codes explained
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/15/2017 to
Troubleshooting
Error codes explained - Victron Energy MPPT solar charge controllers
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.
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