ABYC standard for ELCI's explained
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/12/2015 to
ELCI's
We all know that electricity and water don't mix. What we may not be aware of is how many drownings occur every year because of electrical current in the water. The new ABYC standard requiring ELCI circuit breakers on shore power service to boats is an attempt to reduce the amount of stray electrical current in the water - read below for an explanation of what this is all about.
(0) Comments
Voltage drop tables
Posted by Administrator on 7/15/2015 to
Electrical Standards
I am always referring to these tables so I thought I would put them in my blog where they will be easier to find
Sizing wire for AC circuits
Posted by Administrator on 7/8/2015 to
Electrical Standards
This post gives a few pointers for sizing wire in AC Circuits
A comparison of ANL and MEGA fuses
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/19/2015 to
Circuit Protection
ANL and MEGA fuses are similar high amperage DC fuses but there are some big differences. Here is a comparison.....
Ampacity Tables
Posted by Administrator on 5/31/2015 to
Electrical Standards
I end up looking up this table so often I decided to post it on my blog
Serpentine kit installation on a Yanmar 4JH4-HTE
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/13/2015 to
Alternators
This was my first time installing one of the Balmar Serpentine kits and I was a bit apprehensive. Although I had read the instructions several times it still isn't quite the same as actually doing it. Read how it all turned out.........
What is the Start Isolation feature of an ACR for?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/3/2015 to
Battery Combiners
The start isolation feature of Blue Sea Systems ACR's is even incorporated into the name of the device. It is an optional feature with a very specific application......
Isolation Transformer or Galvanic Isolator - which is preferable?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/24/2014 to
Corrosion
A discussion on the relative merits of transformers and galvanic isolators
Battery layout for twin engine boats
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/16/2014 to
Batteries (Conventional)
There are many ways to do a battery layout for multi-engine boats, here is one simple layout using remote switches. 
What does an alternator regulator do and how does it work?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/1/2014 to
Alternators
What does an alternator regulator do and how does it work? An alternator regulator supplies current to the rotating part of the alternator. The rotating part is called the rotor, and when current is applied to it it becomes an electromagnet. Its rotation generates an alternating current in the fixed windings of the alternator, called the stator. The regulator acts as a control mechanism for this process
Small sailboat custom panel that incorporates some existing equipment
Posted by Administrator on 3/26/2014 to
Older Posts
This small sailboat got a custom 360 Panel from Blue Sea Systems that was required to incorporate an existing Blue Sea Systems digital meter and another brand digital meter
Help - my batteries are getting HOT!
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/24/2014 to
Battery Chargers
Help! My Batteries are getting hot! What should I do?
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..........
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
Older Posts
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.
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.
Digital Multimeter
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/29/2013 to
Older Posts
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
Simple AC circuit tester
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/20/2013 to
Older Posts
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
Older Posts
I carry this little gizmo on every job I go on
Custom AC/DC powerboat panel example
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/19/2013 to
Older Posts
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. 
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.
SEARCH
You can subscribe to get automatic notifications of new blog posts, this is separate from a newsletter subscription.
