The 12-Volt Bible for Boats

by Miner K. Brotherton, Edwin R. Sherman

Overview

The 12-Volt Bible for Boats is a clear, nonthreatening introduction to the 12-volt electrical systems used on small boats to power everything from reading lights to bilge pumps. This second edition is thoroughly updated with respect to modern batteries, breaker and panel design, alternative energy sources, and troubleshooting equipment, but it retains the fundamental simplicity that is the source of its enduring popularity (more than 100,000 copies sold).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071660730
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	11/11/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Miner Brotherton is a longtime boater and professor (retired) of physical sciences and marine electronics who excels at rendering technical boating topics in lay terms. Ed Sherman is the asssistant director of education at the American Boat & Yacht Council, the country's preeminent standard-making boating body. He is the author of Outboard Engines and Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction to the Second Edition, by Ed Sherman Introduction to the First Edition Chapter 1. BASIC THEORY OF ELECTRICITY: A Primer A Few Words of Caution The Atom and Its Electrons The Atom; Electrons; Molecules and Bonding; Ions and Electrons Terms Defined Coulomb's Law; Charge; Current; Voltage, Potential Difference, and EMF; Energy; Power; Amp-Hours; Resistance Electricity Is Not Water, But . . . Ohm's Law IR Drops and I2R Heat Chapter 2. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS: Parts of the System Circuit Components Series Circuits Parallel Circuits Chapter 3. THE BATTERY: Heart of the System Primary and Secondary Cells Purpose and Function of the Storage Battery What Happens When Discharging What Happens When Charging Electrolyte and Hydrometers Preventing Freezing; Using a Hydrometer; Determining Specific Gravity on Sealed Batteries Load Testing Batteries Storage Battery Construction Differentiating among Batteries Anatomy of a Battery; Six-Volt Batteries; Newer Battery Types Battery Banks Selecting a Battery Battery Maintenance and Tools Chapter 4. THE WIRING: Electrical Veins and Arteries Proper Size Resistivity; Wire Length; Thickness Insulation Identification Codes Terminals Installation A Lesson in Soldering Chapter 5. THE CONTROLS: Brains of the System The Control Panel Where to Put It?; Replacement Alternatives Switches Master Switch Fuses Circuit Breakers Relays Panel Meters Chapter 6. TRANSDUCERS: Things That Do the Work What Do You Need? Lights Navigation Lights; Interior Lights; Exterior Lights Motors Motor Maintenance; Starter Motors; Refrigerator Motors; Bilge Pumps Electronics Installation; Power Consumption; Interference Chapter 7. RECHARGING THE BATTERY Multiple Battery Isolators Alternators and Generators The Regulator Making Adjustments; Checking Charging Voltage; Regulator Settings; Recharge Rates AC Shore Power and Solid-State Chargers Proper AC Converter/Chargers; Danger: Shock and Galvanic Corrosion; Maintaining Proper Polarity Solar Cells Wind Chargers Water Chargers DC-to-AC Inverters Chapter 8. TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM Troubleshooting Principles Troubleshooting Instrument: The Multifunction Meter Reading Ohms; Reading DC Volts; Reading AC Volts; Reading DC Amps Troubleshooting Instrument: Test Lights A Continuity Tester; Make Your Own; Buying or Making Test Lights Locating Faults Light Won't Work; Moisture-Related Problems; Engine Won't Start; Bilge Pump Problem; Blinking Masthead Light Noodling Out a Solution Make a Picture; Follow a System; Tickling the Field; Simple Problems with Varying Degrees of Complexity Leaks and Their Detection PARTING WORD: SOME THOUGHTS ON MAINTENANCE Your Boat's Electrical Toolbox Spare Parts and Junk RESOURCES Contact Information Installation Records INDEX