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For the average boat owner, a basic understanding of electricity is essential. You need to know what amps, volts and watts are all about and how they relate to each other. You need to know what Ohms Law is. Find out now if you don't already know. Buy yourself a small book on electricity and electronics, that's available at Radio Shack or a boating store. You must know the difference between DC and AC and have an understanding of batteries and how they charge and discharge. If your vessel only has DC power, you need to know how the total electrical demands from all the systems installed balances with the battery size and charging systems. You need to know the difference between batteries connected in series and those connected in parallel and why you need to do it that way.
If your vessel has AC shore power, a generator or an inverter, you need to know how AC works, particularly in the marine environment. Critical requirements such as proper wire or fuse size and type is basic knowledge that you must be familiar with before heading out. Never purchase any electrical components such as wire, fuses or connectors designed for home use. Only buy components from marine stores that carry electrical parts designed specifically for the marine environment. Faulty wire and fuses can easily cause an electrical fire or fatal short circuit. Never attempt any electrical work on your vessel unless you possess the necessary skill level.
There are many component marine electricians in the Yellow Pages. Here are some electrical truisms that have particular importance to boaters. One, do not use the same battery to both start your engine and powerhouse loads, use two separate battery banks. Someday, you will definitely run down the house bank and if that happens to be the one, it also starts the engine; you will have a nasty little problem. Two, protect all circuits with the right size breaker. Use fuses for large loads. Some very large circuit breakers can literally explode under ground fall conditions. Three, use 120-volt Power Tools only with a GFCI breaker as protection, falling overboard by holding onto a 120-volt Power Tool is not a healthy idea. Four, alternator should produce substantial output at low engine RPMs. Five, don't work with 120-volt or 240-volt appliances or circuits unless you have the necessary skills. Six, always use marine grade wire and connectors. Never use wire made for home use, it will break and 2.37. Seven, keep wire runs as short as possible. Eight, buy marine grade switches and accessories. Nine, buy one of the mini books that deal with both AC and DC power and read it.
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