Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems: Maintenace, Troubleshooting, and Improvements

Ed Sherman is a well-known boating writer and educator, and the author of two International Marine books: Outboard Engines (1997) and Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems (2000). He is the assistant director of education at the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the country's preeminent standard-making body, where he designs and teaches teacher-training programs in marine technology fields, including marine electrical systems. Prior to that, he taught marine electronics for many years at the New England Institute of Technology, in Warwick, RI, where he was chairman of the marine technology department. Hometown: Wickford, RI

ForewordIntroductionChapter 1. Electrical Basics You Need to KnowWhat Is Electricity?Electrical CircuitsOhm's Law and What It Can Tell UsVoltage DropPutting It All TogetherCircuit Problems and How They OccurToolsChapter 2. Working with Wiring DiagramsThe Trouble with BoatsWiring DiagramsCommon SymbolsComponent IdentificationWire Identification and the ABYC Color CodeExpanding the Basic CircuitLocating ComponentsDrawing Your Own Wiring DiagramChapter 3. Selecting and Using a MultimeterMultimetersSelecting a MultimeterUsing Your MultimeterMeasuring AmperageMeasuring Resistance and ContinuityChapter 4. Wire and Circuit Protection Standards and Repair ProceduresOrder Out of ChaosABYC Standards and RecommendationsBasic WiringWire SizeWire InsulationFuses and Circuit BreakersIgnition ProtectionTesting Fuses and Circuit BreakersLevels of Circuit ProtectionAcceptable Locations for Fuses and Circuit BreakersWire Routing and SupportConnecting the Dots: Making Wiring and Connection RepairsChapter 5. Batteries and Battery SystemsHow Batteries Work: The BasicsBasic ChemistryTypes of Lead-Acid BatteriesWhich Battery Is Right for You?Battery SafetyBattery Maintenance and TestingBattery InstallationsTesting Your BatteriesChapter 6. Battery-Charging SystemsAlternator BasicsEngine-Driven Marine AlternatorsAlternator ProblemsOutboard-Engine Charging SystemsShore-Power Battery Charging Systems and InstallationsSolargizer ApproachChapter 7. Maintaining Marine Ignition SystemsIgnition-System ComponentsRegulations Regarding Ignition SystemsOutboard and PWC Ignition SystemsMaintaining Ignition SystemsMerCruiser Thunderbolt IV and V SystemsBeyond the Basics: Outboard and PWC Ignition SystemsOutboard and PWC Ignition TestsTesting Your Stop SwitchFinal Checks and Ignition TimingChapter 8. Tracing and Repairing Starter-Motor CircuitsCoast Guard Regulations for Starter MotorsStarter-Motor Problems and SolutionsTroubleshooting Starter-Motor CircuitsOutboard-Engine Starter CircuitsTesting the Neutral-Safety SwitchEngine Ignition SwitchOther Outboard-Engine Starter-Motor ProblemsChapter 9. Installing Your Own DC AccessoriesBefore You BeginInstalling a New Cabin LightInstalling a New Bilge PumpAdding a New Compact-Disc PlayerChapter 10. Engine Instrumentation Problems and SolutionsMechanical GaugesCommon Instrument Interpretation ProblemsAbnormal Instrument ReadingsGeneral Instrument TroubleshootingChapter 11. Alternating Current and AC EquipmentWhat Is Alternating Current?AC on Your BoatAC SafetyColor Coding for AC WiringComparisons between AC and DC CircuitsAC Overcurrent ProtectionBasic AC Outlet ConnectionsGround-Fault Circuit InterruptersChecking Voltage, Continuity, and Polarity on AC CircuitsSelecting a DC-to-AC InverterAC GeneratorsGalvanic IsolatorsChapter 12. Installing Marine Electronic EquipmentElectronic GadgetryUniversal Installation DetailsPower SupplyInstalling a VHF RadioHow Much Can I Gain?The Coaxial QuestionInstalling a Fish-Finder or Depth-SounderInstalling a GPS ReceiverInstalling Your Own RadarGlossaryResourcesIndex