Buyers and Owners: Buying, Owning and Maintaining Boats and Yachts

PHOTO LIBRARY

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Tips on Electrical System Use and Maintenance

Part III: DC Systems

Photos by David H. Pascoe, Marine Surveyor

If you have electrical problems and your system looks something like this, then you needn't look much farther for the source of the problem.

Not every electrical system is going to be this neat, but this is the way it should be.

This illustrates why crimp-on ring terminals, wing nuts and other substandard high amperage cable connectors should never be used. High resistance has melted the cable insulation and burned up a $900 starting motor because of high resistance.

Corrosion takes its toll even on the interior of the boat due to leaks, salt air and high humidity. When tested, most of these connections had high resistance. This is the proper method to splice wires.

Electric-5.JPG (61704 bytes)

Looking at this ball of wiring hanging down, is it any wonder that a lot of electrical equipment on this boat didn't work? Instrument panel of this open boat was not kept covered. Water pouring through the panel had even filled up the battery boxes with water.

Electric-3.JPG (39549 bytes)

Close up of wire bundle at left. These supposedly water proof wire connectors, on closer examination, are found to be full of water.

Electric-4.JPG (37273 bytes)

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Part	Yacht Survey Photos: Tips on Electrical System Use and Maintenance
I	Introduction 2 photos
II	High Voltage (AC) Systems 0 photos
III	DC Systems 6 photos
IV	Adding New Equipment one photo

First posted July 17, 1998 at www.yachtsurvey.com.

Posted November 17, 1998

Buyers and Owners: Buying, Owning and Maintaining Boats and Yachts

About Author:
David H. Pascoe is a marine surveyor (retired) with 40 years' experience.

He is author and publisher of power boat books:

"Mid Size Power Boats"
"Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats" 2E
"Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats"
"Marine Investigations"

Visit yachtsurvey.com for more than 160 online articles.

David Pascoe's biography

Buying A Boat or Yacht

Maintenance, Repairs and Troubleshooting

All about Bilge Pumps
Corrosion with 9 photos
Corrosion in Marinas
Deck Leaks
Diesel Maintenance Or Lack of it
Exhaust Risers
Electrical System Use and Maintenance
Illustration of Water Absorption From a Hull Interior
How to Install an Aluminum Fuel Tank
Maintaining Stern Drives
How to Repair Window Leaks
Tips for Painting Fiberglass Boats
How to Keep Your Boat from Sinking

Hull Blisters

The Wonderful World of Hull Blistering
Failed Blister Repairs: A Case History and Solution

Marine Engines

Troubleshooting Problems Involving Engine/Shaft Alignment
More articles at Marine Engines at yachtsurvey.com

Boat Handling

Docking in Style

Hurricane Preparations

Safe Harbor :Hurricane Preparation

Cored Hull

High Tech Materials in Boat Building
More Articles at Cores & Structural Issues
at yachtsurvey.com

Over 160
Online Articles by David Pascoe

David Pascoe's
Power Boat Books

Mid Size Power Boats
A Guide for Discriminating Buyers
Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet
With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers.

Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats
Selecting and Evaluating New and Used Boats
Dedicated for offshore outboard boats
A hard and realistic look at the marine market place and delves into issues of boat quality and durability that most other marine writers are unwilling to touch.

Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats
2nd Edition
The Art of Pre-Purchase Survey The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details.

Marine Investigations
Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues.

Links to pages of each chapter contents at davidpascoe.com

Mid Size Power Boats

Chapter 1
Basic Considerations
Chapter 2
Boat Types: Which is Right for You?
Chapter 3
Old Boats, New Boats and Quality
Chapter 4
Basic Hull Construction
Chapter 5
Evaluating Boat Hulls
Chapter 6
Performance and Sea Keeping
Chapter 7
Decks & Superstructure
Chapter 8
Stress Cracks, Finishes and Surface Defects
Chapter 9
Power Options
Chapter 10
The Engine Room
Chapter 11
Electrical & Plumbing Systems
Chapter 12
Design Details
Chapter 13
Steering, Controls, Systems & Equipment
Chapter 14
The Art of the Deal
Chapter 15
Boat Shopping
Chapter 16
The Survey & Post Survey
Chapter 17
Boat Builders by Company