Data Logging your battery system using the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV reader software
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/19/2018 to
Battery Monitoring
Many of our industrial customers would like to be able to set up data logging on their battery systems. With the Victron BMV battery monitor and the Victron BMV Reader software this is an easy project......
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An overview of wiring standards for boats in the US
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/16/2018 to
Electrical Standards
he standards that apply to wiring your boat in the US are the ABYC standards and the Code of Federal Regulations Title 33 CFR Sections 183.401 - 183.460 The ABYC standards are voluntary and the CFR standards are mandatory. The ABYC standards incorporate the CFR standards so a boat built to the ABYC Standards should automatically meet the CFR standards. This article is a brief introduction to the subject
Keep your wiring neat and tidy
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/15/2018 to
Projects
Neat wiring is hard to achieve but it makes everything about the project go better. Take a look at these project photos if you need a bit of inspiration.
Programming your Victron MultiPlus Inverter/Charger - Using the dipswitches
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/7/2018 to
Victron MultiPlus and Quatro
There are various ways to program the Victron MultiPlus inverter charger, this article details using the dipswitches to do basic programming
How to install a simple shore power system on a small boat
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2018 to
Batteries (Conventional)
This is a description of how to install an ABYC compliant shore power system for a small boat. The goal is to connect to a standard US 30 Amp 120 Volt dock pedestal
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.
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
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.......
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 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.............
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.
What happens when I have multiple charge sources charging a single battery bank
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/2/2017 to
Battery Chargers
What happens when I have multiple charge sources charging a single battery bank? I get this question asked almost every day. "I have a battery charger, an alternator, and solar panels charging the same battery. Does it get overcharged?" Here are some thoughts on the subject.....
Altmount installation on a Universal M35
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/1/2016 to
Alternators
Here is a photo and description of the installation of an Altmount kit on a Universal M35 on a Nonsuch 30
Help with interpreting Amp Hour Readings
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/14/2016 to
Battery Monitoring
I'm getting weird reading from my Victron BMV amp hour meter. The readings don't seem to relate to what I think is happening. HELP !
Dont do this
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/12/2016 to
Electrical Standards
Its a total No-No to connect AC Neutral to Ground on board a boat. One boat did by accident, see what happened.......
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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