Electrical Repair Works on the Yacht

[alexander_456]

Hi everyone!

I want to ask you where it is better to buy the batteries and some other electrical stuff.

The point is that my son is going to hire an electrician to make some repairs.

Now, we have to find not very expensive place to order the generator and battaries.
thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alexander.

Where are you (the boat) located?

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF Alexander !

As Gordo says... we need to know where you hang your fenders...

[Badsanta]

I wouldn't buy anything untill you know what you need. It will depend on what you are trying to do. I have seen huge expense in solar or alternators with no thought of battery size or buying a huge battery bank and no change in charging capacity. Talk to an electrician or two and discuss what you want to do. You will get suggestions that may be easer than you thought or it may be impossible to do. But on any account you need more info.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Cadence]

Basically not enough info. for even a stupid response?

[TrentePieds]

First things first!

Develop a "power usage budget" to determine how much power you will use in, say, a twentyfour hour period. Then determine how you are going to get hold of that much NEW power within the same period. Generally you can generate power much faster than you are using it, so you'll need a "buffer" or a "reservoir". That's your batteries.

Tell us something about the former two, then we'll be able to give you considered advice on the last.

Unless this sequence is followed, it all becomes pretty meaningless.

TrentePieds

[Chuck Hawley]

OK, I realize that the information given here is sparse, but if I were to give advice, it would be to have ample capacity in a single bank of batteries so that you're not trying to optimize a too-small "tank" for your energy, and to have a superb engine-driven alternator installation with a flat belt drive and smart regulation. I'd also buy a Blue Sea Systems VSM 422 monitor, which is a lovely piece of gear.

Why do so many respondents on this forum resort to snarky, negative comments? It's just not helpful, nor is is pleasant. I am talking to you, Cadence.

Chuck Hawley

[hellosailor]

"The point is that my son is going to hire an electrician to make some repairs."
Don't hire an electrician or other tradesman unless they come highly recommended and you feel comfortable trusting them. In which case, your first resource would be to ask THEM for the best choices in ordering the equipment.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Chuck Hawley

OK, I realize that the information given here is sparse, but if I were to give advice, it would be to have ample capacity in a single bank of batteries so that you're not trying to optimize a too-small "tank" for your energy, and to have a superb engine-driven alternator installation with a flat belt drive and smart regulation. I'd also buy a Blue Sea Systems VSM 422 monitor, which is a lovely piece of gear.

Why do so many respondents on this forum resort to snarky, negative comments? It's just not helpful, nor is is pleasant. I am talking to you, Cadence.

Chuck Hawley

if saying not enough info is snarky get real. I wish you well.

[Tingum]

Not snarky at all. Simply not enough information to reply!

[Tikka]

alexander, it's very simple . Any specialised shop, you pay a lot more sometimes double price. Any battery outlet sells lead acid - calcium batteries, they excellent for boat and half price than deep cycle. Generator, I only use Honda 1kW, perhaps you talking about engine alternator, any spare car parts outlet, simply all car alternators have build in regulator, just match the amperage depends how many batteries you intend to install. And finnaly all wiring on the boat is done by " thinned copper wire " from any electrical place. That's is my 40 electr. exp...hope it might help..

[alexander_456]

We are from Florida.

I understand that the information is not sufficient, but maybe I will know more after the first consultation with the electrician. David(my son) will try to reach one recommended electrician the next week.

Now, I can just browse the net and look for the suppliers. Are there special suppliers who provide the boat owners? Is it better to buy offline or to order online?

I checked the prices of this supplier https://www.mrosupply.com/electrical/. It seems like the rates are not very high. But I have never ordered from them.

At any rate, I can not plan any budget, until I get some response from the electrician.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by alexander_456

Hi everyone!

I want to ask you where it is better to buy the batteries and some other electrical stuff.

The point is that my son is going to hire an electrician to make some repairs.

Now, we have to find not very expensive place to order the generator and battaries.
thanks

As others have mentioned, if you are hiring a "MARINE" electrician to install equipment, consult them before buying anything.

First things first. Shop for the electrician. The first question to ask, is "Through what organization did you receive your certificate? The second question is, "Can you please bring it with you to show me?

The person should bring a ticket they carry in the wallet (at all times) that indicated the "MARINE" organization that tested and certified them (examples include ABYC and NMEA, there are others but these are the most popular). If other than these two mentioned, look them up on the internet to ensure they are a legitimate org. (Some electrical and electronics manufacturers have there own certification process.)

Equipped with their certificate, you now know you have a qualified marine electrical or electronic technician, not just anybody who pulls his wire for pay.

Now ask for 3 local references. If you are in a marina, they should be able to point to several boats they have worked on. Talk to the owners. If responses are favourable, you now have a qualified marine technician who strives to satisfy customers.

You found a winner.

If you shop for the lowest installed cost, you are very unlikely to be talking to a qualified marine electrician. A qualified technician charges a fair buck, because they are worth it, (and need to stay in business to be able to help others) and you will likely have to wait considerable time to get on their schedule.

I have gone into many a shop to talk electrics or electronics, been directed to their "electrician" only to find they are not qualified at all. 40 years experience in the marine industry doesn't mean much if all they have done is change oil and outdrives or installed (maybe poorly) a couple of audio systems per year.

Now here is the real rub.

Ask if the company offers "On-Board Product and Installation Warranty", and what this is?

If you shop for products for the lowest on-line price, and ask someone else to install them, if there is a problem, you now have to deal with two people (retailer/installer). Is it a product fault or an installation fault?

If it is a product fault, you now have to consult someone at the retail level (who knows where), who may be just an order taker and have no technical background at all. If they agree that it may be a product fault, you now have to remove the product at your expense, ship it at your expense, wait for the return, re-install at your expense, and re-commission at your expense.

If you buy products from the installation company, they may offer "On-Board Product Warranty."

This may mean different things.

Here is how a good "On-Board Product/Installation Warranty" typically goes:

When there is some sort of a problem (about 10% of installations)....

50% of the time, wherever you are, for the life of the product, the professional installer will be able to diagnose the problem (usually operator error in the first few months) over the phone or internet, ZERO HASSLE.

25% of the time, (assuming you are located within their territory and within the specified warranty period) they will come to your boat and diagnose an operator error problem that couldn't be resolved on the phone. There may be a nominal charge for the NFF (No Fault Found) service visit. If you are a good customer, and it only takes 15 minutes while in the area, there may still be NO CHARGE.

15% of the time, there is a product fault. Within the specified warranty period, they may remove it, send it in for repair, and re-install it, still NO CHARGE. (You won't get this if you bought it somewhere else.)

10% of the time, there is an installation fault, (even pros make mistakes now and again, and remember, this is 10% of 10% or 1% of all installations), which if still under warranty, they may address, NO CHARGE.

There is another unspoken truth among installers. If you purchase the product from the service company, and they install it, when it is out-of-warranty, they are more likely to attempt to repair, rather than replace it. Most service people hate to "inherit" someone else's (potentially bad) install.

In other words, if you choose self-serve purchasing, you also choose self-serve post-sale service.

For anyone who is not properly qualified to install the equipment they desire, I recommend (at least considering) purchasing the equipment from the company that is going to install and service it. I understand that this is counter-intuitive, as we are taught at a young age to "shop" for the lowest PRICE. This may be OK for a pair of shoes, but will not likely end up being the lowest COST, when it comes to installed marine electrical and electronic products.

Now you are hopefully better equipped to know, "Where it is better to buy batteries and electrical stuff?"

Ramblin Rod
www.sheenmarine.com

[alexander_456]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

First things first. Shop for the electrician. The first question to ask, is "Through what organization did you receive your certificate? The second question is, "Can you please bring it with you to show me?

Thank you Ramblin Rod so much. Yeah, It will be first thing to do: the seacrh of a good marine electrician. In our days it is so easy to be cheated. I want to pay only for quality work.

[SpiritofGlenans]

Originally Posted by Tikka

alexander, it's very simple . Any specialised shop, you pay a lot more sometimes double price. Any battery outlet sells lead acid - calcium batteries, they excellent for boat and half price than deep cycle. Generator, I only use Honda 1kW, perhaps you talking about engine alternator, any spare car parts outlet, simply all car alternators have build in regulator, just match the amperage depends how many batteries you intend to install. And finnaly all wiring on the boat is done by " thinned copper wire " from any electrical place. That's is my 40 electr. exp...hope it might help..

"Tinned" copper wire .... it has a coating of tin to protect the copper from "black wire corrosion".