New Victron Energy iPhone App
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/17/2014 to
Battery Monitoring
Victron Energy now have a new iPhone app to help interpret the blinking lights on a Multi-Plus or Quattro inverter/charger
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Circuit Breakers vs Fuses
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/13/2014 to
Circuit Protection
Circuit Breakers vs Fuses, the Presidential Debate. Who to vote for? This short article will look at this debate in the context of two very similar switch panels by Blue Sea Systems. The Blue Sea Systems 4306 WeatherDeck switch panel with fuses is almost identical to the 4376 switch panel with circuit breakers. Which should you choose?
An explanation of the interrupt rating for circuit breakers and fuses
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/9/2014 to
Circuit Protection
In extreme cases a fuse carrying an excessively high current can vaporize and the metal can be deposited on the base of the fuse block in a way that permits it to continue to carry current. Similarly with circuit breakers, if the level of fault current goes above a certain level the circuit breaker can become inoperable while still conducting current. Fuses and circuit breakers all have an interrupt rating which is a measure of the current that a circuit breaker can safely disconnect in the event of a fault. The interrupt rating may be different for AC and DC and may vary at different voltages..........
When and where do we need to install a battery switch?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/8/2014 to
Electrical Standards
The ABYC standards say that a battery switch is required for all DC systems. One of the main reasons is that if a fault such as an electrical fire is discovered the system can be turned off quickly and easily. However certain circuits are exempt from the requirement to be protected by a switch. Do you know which ones?
Uses for terminal strips
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/27/2013 to
Techniques and How to...
Terminal strips seem such a lowly part of the electrical system that they hardly get a mention normally, but there are a lot of useful things you can do with a terminal strip, here are a few suggestions...... 
Choosing the right PowerPost for the job
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/19/2013 to
Techniques and How to...
PowerPosts were the first products made by Blue Sea Systems. Now they make a bewildering collection. How do you select which one to use?
What is the alternator field disconnect terminal on a battery switch for?
Posted by Administrator on 12/12/2013 to
Alternators
Many battery switches come with a pair of small terminals labelled "Alternator Field Disconnect" or AFD. Of all my years working on marine electrical systems I have never once seen these terminals hooked up correctly. What are they for and how should they be wired.........
Installing a Balmar alternator on a Yanmar 3JH3E
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/21/2013 to
Alternators
Here is a short video clip, some photos and a description of a project to replace the standard alternator on a Yanmar 3JH3E with a Balmar 60-100-SR-IG alternator. The boat is a Dehler 38 Sailboat and as it is going on the Annapolis to Bermuda race next summer the owner wanted to have plenty of power available for the trip.
Sabre 54 Fly Bridge Sedan uses Blue Sea Systems custom panels
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/6/2013 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
The circuit breaker panels on this Sabre 54 Fly Bridge Sedan and custom made from the Blue Sea Systems 360 Series modular panel system.
Cricket Trailer uses Blue Sea Systems
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/5/2013 to
Gallery
Overcurrent Protection
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/5/2013 to
Circuit Protection
ABYC Standard 11.10 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION is a key section of the standards. The principal is very clear, an overcurrent device, such as a fuse or circuit breaker, needs to be placed within seven inches of where the conductor is connected to the source of power. The overcurrent device is protecting THE WIRE from carrying more current than it is able. What follows is an outline of this part of the standard but please see the disclaimer at the end.
ABYC publishes new safety essentials iPhone App
Posted by Administrator on 11/1/2013 to
Electrical Standards
This iPhone app won an award at the 2013 IBEX Show. "Boat Essentials" is used to file a float plan or to check, suggest and schedule maintenance of the safety equipment on your recreational boat
Sparkman and Stephens Yawl "Bolero"
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/30/2013 to
Projects
This 73 ft Yawl "Bolero" designed by Sparkman and Stephens and originally launched in 1949 was the first major electrical refit project undertaken by Peter Kennedy Yacht Services.
Digital Multimeter
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/29/2013 to
Tools and Equipment
I use this Blue Sea Systems digital multimeter as my every day meter. It does almost everything I need. I also have a couple of other meters for specialized uses but this is what lives in my toolbox and gets used every single day
USCG standards for Electrical Systems on boats
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/28/2013 to
Electrical Standards
Federal Regulations on electrical systems for boats are covered by 33 CFR 183.401-460. The regulations, although mandatory, are somewhat limited in scope. They are available for free online: 33 C.F.R. PART 183—BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT In addition the ABYC has published a booklet explaining and simplifying the rules. What follows here is a brief discussion of the material covered by the regulations, please see the disclaimer at the end.
An outline of ABYC Standards for Electrical Systems
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/23/2013 to
Electrical Standards
This is an outline review of the ABYC standards relating to Electrical Systems. It just highlights the subject area of each standard. Further Blog Posts will delve into the details of the standards. The ABYC standards are a voluntary set of standards written and maintained by the American Boat and Yacht Council. They cover the design, manufacture and outfitting of small craft built in the US and compliment the compulsory standards written by the US Coast Guard. Each ABYC standard is updated every five years. The USCG standards are covered in a separate Blog post.
ABYC standard for installation and wiring
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/22/2013 to
Electrical Standards
ABYC standard E11 covers AC and DC wiring on boats. In this post we are going to look at one small part of the standard relating to installation. In particular this standard refers to how electrical conductors should be routed and supported. In the standard its referred to as 11.14.6 Installation-General
Simple AC circuit tester
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/20/2013 to
Safety
I carry this simple and inexpensive AC circuit tester on every job too
Non Contact AC Voltage detector
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2013 to
Safety
I carry this little gizmo on every job I go on
40ft Sailboat custom panel
Posted by Administrator on 10/19/2013 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
This panel was designed for a 40 ft. sailboat. It was designed by PKYS in conjunction with the owner who installed it all by himself.
Custom AC/DC powerboat panel example
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2013 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
This boat from Annapolis MD got a new Blue Sea Systems custom 360-Series AC/DC Panel. It was supplied by PKYS and installed by Yacht Electronic Systems.
A simple 230 Volt AC panel example
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2013 to
Circuit Breaker Panels
Blue Sea Systems Custom 360-Series Circuit Breaker Panels.This is a very simple 230 Volt AC panel that was shipped to New Zealand. The boat owner already had a single 360-Series panel on board which he liked so much he decided to redo the entire AC system and so this panel has a blank which will be replaced by his existing panel.
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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